The Second World War, Part Two: Alamein to Nagasaki

This is an outstanding account of the Second World War that should be read by everyone. The two volumes tell the story of the war in a clear, consise fashion that brought me a great deal of new understanding of what really happened and how it has shaped the world today.



Mr Beevor brings out the main charatcers of the leaders and shows how they react to events as they unfold as well as how they try to impose their wills to achieve their hoped for outcomes. We learn of great men, of mad men, of egomaniacs or just good people trying to do their best in difficult circumstances. This is a very human account without any sentimentality. It is vivid and compelling. No student of history should miss these two volumes.

I have always wanted to read a book which gives a clear and accurate view of the second world for. This is that book. This never glamourises the War and it plays down the propaganda and the myths. In fact on reading this book i feel that no nation comes out with credit - just some were more guilty then others.

The book delves deep into the detail and it pulls no punches. this isn't a boys adventure tale. Its War and the worst of it.

Its so fascinating to see what strange and evil alliances the War bought together and I have never ever realised that some of the German allies were so close to the Uk. How the British had to fight the French after their surrender to Germany in some instances and how there was several nations who changed sides during the War - not just Italy.

The book delves into the reasons and the start of the War and Britain does not fare well. The brits were slow to start and let several nations down with their lack of support. France - then a super army never delivered and surprisingly fell to the Germany quickly and Italy panders to Germany without engaging in the War. America has to be cajoled into the War and it costs the Brits substantially to get them to join. Facts I never knew.

Its a big book an at times hard to follow - well at the start at least. But its well worth reading on. i just couldn't wait to get back into the book.

This book will be seen as THE BOOK ON THE SECOND WORLD WAR - I am sure of that.

Probably the best general history of WWII. Beevor has an uncanny ability to mix an excellent strategic overview of the whole conflict with a coherent tactical analysis of the single battles. To this he adds a precise eye for the anecdote and the personal testimony without bogging down the narrative and breaking it in too many pieces. Highly recommended to anybody interested in the period.

No film can convey the true inhumanity of war. It is almost unbelievable that humans can inflict on each other the horror so well described by Beevor. This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened to in many years.

This joined up my knowledge and then some. It is loaded with facts and figures from WWII and as much as I wanted to remember everything, just can't without another read. It's a long read but so interesting I found it difficult to put down. There are two books in this series and having read both, if you like one, you will like them both. The both move from front to front well and are well written.

This was my first audio book and I am hooked! The fact brought atmosphere, the explanations of both events and characters are clear and appropriately chilling. Thoroughly enjoyed this history of one of the cataclysmic events of the 20th century. It certainly improved my knowledge and understanding, particularly of Churchill, Staines and Roosevelt. Highly recommended.

This should be made as a standard text book for schools who are teaching about WW2. I will be honest to say that at times the subject matter is hard with some sections being very graphic and descriptive.



The narrator Sean Barrett is very interesting and clear, making the very long audio book easier to listen to.

A detailed, and very well read history of the second world war across all theaters.