What do you think?
Rate this book
The Story of the Second World War
314 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 26, 2009
I read this book in the 2nd-3rd grade,(it was labeled as 8th grade reading level material, I was very proud of myself) had to stop on "the underground rebellion" chapter for a year because I moved to another state, came back but never finished the book. Fast forward many years. I was on the verge of college graduation and remembered the book, so I talked to my old grade school librarian and she was kind enough to give it to me(she wouldn't even take a "donation" for the school.) So that spring I finished the book. I credit it with starting my fascination with WWII
October 3, 2012
A good, quick read about thi epic European struggle that consumed so much of the world. I always pick up something new. This time I was appalled by Hitler's strategic use of German lads raised by charitable Norweigans to effect the invasion and occupation of that country.
March 12, 2026
High-level but accurate and factual account of World War II, how it started, why it started, and where it took place. It feels a little bit like a schoolbook, but not in a bad way. If it was, in fact, a study book, it is an excellent one: short chapters, objective, precise.
I think of this book as World War II told in bite-size pieces. The war’s milestones are logically presented with only a slight commentary on the morality and immorality of the players. The bad actors are called out (Chamberlain, Hitler, Goring, Mussolini, Tojo, and all the Nazis) for their actions and character. Lots of research went into writing this book. Not only are the facts (dates, times, locations, players, methods, etc.) described but also the character, albeit at a high level, and primarily with respect to the war, of the generals, commanders, pilots, and more on both sides of the conflict.
This was a reminder of how broad this war was, impacting so many countries and a myriad of people.
The highlights:
o Germany’s invasion of Poland, Norway, France, and much of eastern Europe
o Japan’s entry by invading the Philippines, and the horrifying Bataan March
o Mussolini’s inept army in north Africa, and Germany coming to the rescue
o Germany’s Blitzkrieg on England, and England’s ability to survive
o England coming to the rescue in north Africa
o Russia holding back the Germans and defeating them in Stalingrad
o Pearl Harbor and Roosevelt’s declaration of war against Japan, German, and Italy
o Hitler’s stubbornness and frustration with his military and their losses
o The Holocaust and the horror of Lidice, Czechoslovakia
o Slow but steady German collapse
o How Stalin prioritized Communism over humanity
o The superiority of the US military
Great chapter on D-Day near the end of the book.
I think of this book as World War II told in bite-size pieces. The war’s milestones are logically presented with only a slight commentary on the morality and immorality of the players. The bad actors are called out (Chamberlain, Hitler, Goring, Mussolini, Tojo, and all the Nazis) for their actions and character. Lots of research went into writing this book. Not only are the facts (dates, times, locations, players, methods, etc.) described but also the character, albeit at a high level, and primarily with respect to the war, of the generals, commanders, pilots, and more on both sides of the conflict.
This was a reminder of how broad this war was, impacting so many countries and a myriad of people.
The highlights:
o Germany’s invasion of Poland, Norway, France, and much of eastern Europe
o Japan’s entry by invading the Philippines, and the horrifying Bataan March
o Mussolini’s inept army in north Africa, and Germany coming to the rescue
o Germany’s Blitzkrieg on England, and England’s ability to survive
o England coming to the rescue in north Africa
o Russia holding back the Germans and defeating them in Stalingrad
o Pearl Harbor and Roosevelt’s declaration of war against Japan, German, and Italy
o Hitler’s stubbornness and frustration with his military and their losses
o The Holocaust and the horror of Lidice, Czechoslovakia
o Slow but steady German collapse
o How Stalin prioritized Communism over humanity
o The superiority of the US military
Great chapter on D-Day near the end of the book.
December 7, 2024
The theme of this story I believe is “ The peace this followed the first was was not a lasting one. The punishments and humiliations imposed on Germany impacted future conflict. Hitler promised to restore Germany to greatness, but his promises would only lead to destruction. ( Katharine Savage Pg 53)
The crisis of this story would be “ In the darkest days of the war the Nazis carried out a terrible crime. Millions of innocent people, especially Jews, were sent to camps where they were killed and tortured the world would learn the full horror of the holocaust but for many it was a tragedy.” (Katharine Savage Pg 109)
The characterization being told in this story would be “ Men like Hitler, Mussolini and militarist leaders in Japan rose to power, promising their nations glory but only bringing them terror and war.” (Katharine Savage Pg 135)
The Imagery in the book would be “ like a dark cloud the German tanks rumbled across the countryside moving faster than a storm chasing the horizon. The soldiers inside were like lightning leaving no time for the enemy to make a move. ( Katharine Savage Pg 182)
The style Genre would be “ the skies above England became a battlefield, Day after day the sound of planes raced through the air. But the brave pilots of the royal Air Force never gave up” ( Katharine Savage Pg 197)
The crisis of this story would be “ In the darkest days of the war the Nazis carried out a terrible crime. Millions of innocent people, especially Jews, were sent to camps where they were killed and tortured the world would learn the full horror of the holocaust but for many it was a tragedy.” (Katharine Savage Pg 109)
The characterization being told in this story would be “ Men like Hitler, Mussolini and militarist leaders in Japan rose to power, promising their nations glory but only bringing them terror and war.” (Katharine Savage Pg 135)
The Imagery in the book would be “ like a dark cloud the German tanks rumbled across the countryside moving faster than a storm chasing the horizon. The soldiers inside were like lightning leaving no time for the enemy to make a move. ( Katharine Savage Pg 182)
The style Genre would be “ the skies above England became a battlefield, Day after day the sound of planes raced through the air. But the brave pilots of the royal Air Force never gave up” ( Katharine Savage Pg 197)
June 21, 2020
This book was a very pleasant surprise. I would have never dreamed that such a small book could give justice to WWII. Yet this does just that. If I was teaching a history course on the war, this would be a must read for the students as it gives a great overview of most of the key moments of the war.
January 7, 2012
Read this book. A "living book" per Charlotte Mason's criteria.
March 18, 2013
B (age 11) read this in 2 days....he loved it! Now on his wishlist.
August 3, 2014
Not a bad little history of WWII written at the end of the fifties. This was written for Scholastic Book Services for young adults.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews