This book covers every part of World War II, from a brief overview of World War I and its effects, to the battles in East Asia and the Pacific, to North Africa, and of course Europe. It gives enough detail to make good reading and to not be encyclopedic, but brushes over topics lightly enough to give a chance to the others.

I also really enjoyed the citations at the end; rather than give a traditional bibliography or footnotes, the author gives a list of references and further reading, broken down by subject. If someone is interested in the Italian campaign, for example, he explains which books the reader should look into next. The only downside is that this book was published in the 80s, so most of the references were printed in the 60s and 70s, and may not be in print anymore.

Wasn't planning on reading this one as I have done plenty of reading on WWII. Additionally I think there are also more hours of documentary time dedicated to it than the war actually lasted. However I had read the same author's Short History of WWI as I had less knowledge on that and found that book to be incredibly complete without providing unnecessary commentary. This booked worked the same and I would reccomend it as I did the other one as a good historical source if someone is looking for one.

With humor and a deep understanding of history, Stokesbury lays out the events of WWII clearly, concisely, and entertainingly. He untangles major battles and defines the politics surrounding many of the decisions behind events. It is certainly a "short history" but it is wonderfully comprehensive. You can always ref. Stokesbury's bibliography if you want heavier reading material...and after his introduction to WWII, you undoubtedly will.

If you enjoy, as I do, World War II books that have a heavy human element, a more psychological discussion of how people live through horrible experiences, triumph in the face of adversity, or on the other side, find themselves committing horrible acts of hatred and violence, this is not the book for you. If however you want to be able to enjoy those books while also having a solid understanding of the nitty gritty facts, maneuvers, chronology and battles of World War II in order to contextualize the more individual-centric stories, this is absolutely the book for you. Having accepted a disappointing lack of knowledge of the politics, strategy and trajectory of World War II (I blame you Catholic school education), I picked up this book and found it to be a thorough and detailed explanation of the key aspects of the war. Though more meticulous students of war theory may take issue with his Stokesbury's interpretation or selection of detail, I found it well written and easily digestible, and exceptionally informative, exactly what I was looking for.

Perhaps too short. The subject is really FAR too broad for a one volume treatment, but Mr. Stokesbury gives it a game try. He wears (what strike me) as his prejudices on his sleeve, giving a bit more import to the various resistance movements than they deserve (the same amount of attention as the last two years of the war on the eastern front, for example), and giving Erwin Rommel and Guderian short shrift for the revolution in armored warfare that they helped midwife; but overall, a readable and worthy effort of reasonable even-handedness.

I am still waiting to find the equivalent of what Shelby Foote did for the Civil War for WWII. This is so manifestly the single defining event of the 20th century--the crucible out of which the Cold war and the dual superpowers grew, the graveyard of western colonialism, eugenics, and certain obvious kinds of totalitarianism--that it merits the river of ink spilled on the subject. But I have yet to find the telling of it that sets it ablaze.

Brilliant read, very informative and yet so concise. Several maps that add to the overall picture of the truly world war. highly recommended for people like me, who even though we had a notion of the war ,really didn't know of the different theatres and where they fitted in.

Read for WWII

Needless to say it was a long narrative

I love history, and Stokesbury does a good job of staying out of the way.