The Second World Wars

How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won

By: Victor Davis Hanson

Narrated by: Bob Souer

A definitive account of World War II by America's preeminent military historian.

World War II was the most lethal conflict in human history. Never before had a war been fought on so many diverse landscapes and in so many different ways, from rocket attacks in London to jungle fighting in Burma to armor strikes in Libya.

The Second World Wars examines how combat unfolded in the air, at sea, and on land to show how distinct conflicts among disparate combatants coalesced into one interconnected global war. Drawing on 3,000 years of military history, Victor Davis Hanson argues that despite its novel industrial barbarity, neither the war's origins nor its geography were unusual. Nor was its ultimate outcome surprising. The Axis powers were well prepared to win limited border conflicts, but once they blundered into global war, they had no hope of victory.

An authoritative new history of astonishing breadth, The Second World Wars, offers a stunning reinterpretation of history's deadliest conflict.

©2017 Victor Davis Hanson (P)2018 Tantor

Amazing amount of information

I loved this book. I had never considered the different theaters of war or the participants in the way presented. I learned much more than I knew beforehand.

A Reluctant 4.5 Stars

I "only" gave it 4.5 Stars because although the book was very well researched and written, I felt that the Asian War was not included proportionately. It seemed like the war in the Pacific and Asia received about one-third of the author's time, with China barely being mentioned. Something much closer to half of the book would have been appropriate. However, the book was excellent in all other respects.

Fantastic!!

A brilliant book by a brilliant author. Not a wasted word. A truly thought provoking masterpiece!!

Everything you never thought to ask

This is not “another WWII book.” Hansen gives answers to questions I never thought of. An encyclopedia of WWII rather than a history.
I enjoyed the audible version, but the hard copy would be a required addition to a history library. I was hesitant about buying this since I have read so many books about the war, but this is nothing like any other book I have read or listened to.
Thank you Mr. Hansen

Exceptional analysis of WWII

The reading is a bit monotone however the content is phenomenal! This is not the first book you should read about WWII but if you want to dig a little deeper into the subject this is outstanding! Victor Davis Hanson is a masterful historian!