An excellent stab at chronicling the entire conflict in one volume. As such, many elements, about which entire books are written, are glossed over. Still, this covers everything from the Treaty of Versailles to the aftermath, and many "what-ifs" in between.

More battle focused than expected. Not a book for someone interested in politics.

For such a dense topic this book is very easy to read and comprehend, especially for those who need just a touch more detail than names and dates. I think it's a great supplemental text to include with other in depth articles if you really want to learn about WWII.

If you don't have time to do alot of research, this is a good overview.

A good general history of WW2. Written in a somewhat breezy style, but not as much as the "Don't Know Much About History" series. Some good overviews of lesser known campaigns, the Italian war for example.

I really enjoyed this book. Told me facts I forgot about and gave me new perspective on the other participants in the war, especially that of The French Resistance.

literally the only book you need to read if you know nothing meaningful about world war 2 and want to change that

A few years ago, I got on a WWII kick and watched Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Saving Private Ryan. After watching those movies, I was really interested in refreshing my factual knowledge of World War II. Many books focus in on specific figures, alliances, battles, etc. Stokesbury takes a different tack, giving a great, broad stroke overview of the incidents leading up to the start of the war and then focuses in on specific figures, the strengths and weaknesses of both the Allies and the Axis powers, and decisive incidents, diplomatic, political and military. The result is a comprehensive, insightful and enjoyable account of one of the most horrific military clashes in history, a war that continues to resonate in American foreign and domestic policy and the world abroad. Highly recommended.

A short History of WWII is as the title implies a short book to go around the aspects of World War II along with the major battles and decisions that took place and shaped europe between 1939-1945 and following 1945 through the Cold War ( The Soviet Unions Demands in Europe and the Effect on China in the after math of the war).

A fast Read though for the important info of the war.

I was looking for a simple, clearly written, overarching history of WWII and this book was perfect for that.

WWII was simply put one of the most fearsome yet awesome events of history. How does anyone who is so driven and twisted become a nation's leader and why do people follow him? Hitler didn't do it by himself. He had followers who were true believers.

The book is a good read. It exposes the war for the fearful, complex, costly (in suffering, lives and dollars) event that it is. It also points out the importance of being strong in terms of military strength. If we become weak as a nation, we will be attacked and overwhelmed.

It's short and necessary detail of war with useful remark and discussion of the events made me locked into this book throughout the week. You might not have all your "what and why's" answer here, but for a beginning, it's a good book. I think.