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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
This is one of my WWII go-to history titles. I usually only read it *while* I'm reading a novel about WWII. SO I've dropped it, but not really. A favorite.
dark
informative
slow-paced
An absolutely great one volume account of the Second World War. In the introduction Hastings states that rather then state the common known if there was something little known he chose to reveal that information rather than what is widely known regarding the conflict. In this I think it serves those who know WWII intimately. His writing style is smooth and easy to digest. Personally for those interested in the conflict I would read Antony Beevors treatment of the War first, and then Max Hastings volume to flesh it out.
A very good one-volume of WW2. This is not your go to if you're looking for something talking specifically about military movement and action but that might be what I appreciate the most about it (that said there are useful maps for visualizing military movement). Hastings does a great job bringing the human elements of war into play and highlighting the human experience. The biggest compliment of this is Hastings tact for balancing the true happenings with that of what was perceived on the ground. I also very much appreciate the highlighting of non-major battlefields, especially early in the war. Poland, Greece, SE Asia outside the Philippines, the Balkans, Finland all get their due. Same with the discussion of what different civilian populations faced and how much life changed from peacetime to war stance for each peoples, really contrasting the different hardships and driving home some of the points and analysis he will make throughout the work.
Though those are positives some may find they wished for more details on the famous engagements. As someone who reads much about the subject I feel there is enough there, but if this is the only WW2 book you will read maybe consider that (I would still recommend it for that purpose though). The other issue I had was it bogged down a bit in the middle for me, not sure if it was where some of the elements were inserted or what but it just did.
Though those are positives some may find they wished for more details on the famous engagements. As someone who reads much about the subject I feel there is enough there, but if this is the only WW2 book you will read maybe consider that (I would still recommend it for that purpose though). The other issue I had was it bogged down a bit in the middle for me, not sure if it was where some of the elements were inserted or what but it just did.
well written over a vast topic
Firstly, I just don’t know how someone could possibly write something as vast as this. There must have been things that he had to leave out since it was such a broad topic, but how can an author possibly choose what to include and what to exclude. Even with those difficult decisions to make I feel like the author provided enough details to tell the story across all the different fronts of the war.
Firstly, I just don’t know how someone could possibly write something as vast as this. There must have been things that he had to leave out since it was such a broad topic, but how can an author possibly choose what to include and what to exclude. Even with those difficult decisions to make I feel like the author provided enough details to tell the story across all the different fronts of the war.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This was a very concise, yet thorough look at WW2. Hastings makes a tremendous effort to source fact, information and accounts not only from traditional sources, but from many less known. The use of so many sources from civilian to military, allied to axis, and everything in between gave a comprehensive picture of the war. I learned so much more about the conflict than I have been taught, from British ineffectual combat and colonialism, to Russia's war of attrition. This is highly recommended if you want a complete look at the war.
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Surprisingly, this is the first one volume history of WW2 that I've read. I found it very enlightening and concise. It was easy to read and gripping.