The Cambridge History of the Second World War, Volume I: Fighting the War

The military events of the Second World War have been the subject of historical debate from 1945 to the present. It mattered greatly who won, and fighting was the essential determinant of victory or defeat. In Volume 1 of The Cambridge History of the Second World War a team of twenty-five leading historians offer a comprehensive and authoritative new account of the war's military and strategic history. Part I examines the military cultures and strategic objectives of the eight major powers involved. Part II surveys the course of the war in its key theatres across the world, and assesses why one side or the other prevailed there. Part III considers, in a comparative way, key aspects of military activity, including planning, intelligence, and organisation of troops and matérial, as well as guerrilla fighting and treatment of prisoners of war. The Cambridge History of the Second World War is an authoritative new account of the conflict that unfolded between 1939 and 1945. With contributions from a team of leading historians, the three volumes adopt a transnational approach to offer a comprehensive, global analysis of the military, political, sociological, economic and cultural aspects of the war. Volume 1 provides an operational perspective on the course of the war, examining strategies, military cultures and organisation and the key campaigns, whilst Volume 2 reviews the 'politics' of war, the global aspirations of the rival alliances, and the role of diplomacy. Volume 3 considers the war as an economic, social and cultural event, exploring how entire nations mobilized their economies and populations and dealt with the catastrophic losses that followed. The volumes conclude by considering the lasting impact of World War Two and the memory of war across different cultures of commemoration The military events of the Second World War have been the subject of historical debate from 1945 to the present. It mattered greatly who won, and fighting was the essential determinant of victory or defeat. In Volume 1 of 'The Cambridge History of the Second World War' a team of twenty-five leading historians offer a comprehensive and authoritative new account of the war's military and strategic history. Part I examines the military cultures and strategic objectives of the eight major powers involved. Part II surveys the course of the war in its key theatres across the world, and assesses why one side or the other prevailed there. Part III considers, in a comparative way, key aspects of military activity, including planning, intelligence, and organisation of troops and material, as well as guerrilla fighting and treatment of prisoners of war.0Vol. 1 of a 3 vol. set (ISBN 9781107101777)