World War II: A Compact History

by R. Ernest Dupuy

Colonel Dupuy writes of the cataclysmic events of World War II from a dual vantage that of a professional soldier who had actively engaged in the fighting and of a skilled historian who has searched out the facts behind the events of this vast and complex war. The author has accepted and met an exceptional challenge in compressing the wide-ranging action of World War II into a compact narrative that sweeps around the world – from England under the Blitz to General Joseph Stilwell’s 400-mile trek through Burma, from Stalingrad to Guadalcanal and the war in the Pacific – placing the war in a single focus while retaining the individual drama of important actions. At the same time, Colonel Dupuy has brought to light a number of new and surprising facts. He provides the most detailed discussion to date of Operation Bodyguard, the plan designed to delude the Germans about the Allied invasion of the Continent. He shows, too, how the Battle of the Bulge caused near panic in the United States because a veil of secrecy drawn about the press had frightened Americans into thinking the Germans had turned the tide against the Allies. Here, too, are new facts about the politics of the why an American corps commander was cheated of credit for forcing the first German field surrender in Europe, how Churchill and Truman allowed Stalin to decide when the Italian and German surrenders would be revealed. There is also a fascinating account of the little known or appreciated campaign in southern France, in which General Lucian Truscott in a daring maneuver advanced his troops 175 miles in fourteen days and demolished a German army. Colonel R. Ernest Dupuy, U.S. Army (Ret.), is the author of The Compact History of the Revolutionary War and The Compact History of the United States Army, as well as the General Editor of The Military History of the United States Series.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2017

Reviews

[Rick Colburn]

Excellent study of WWII history

Loved reading this very educational account of WWII even learned of some battles I never learned about in school let alone heard of

[Crystal Toller · Rating 5 out of 5]

World War II

This is a history of World War II by a former soldier and correspondent. I really enjoyed this book. I have a fascination with World War II and this book is a fascinating addition to the history of the war. I learned a lot about the war I didn't know before. Highly recommend this book.

[Robert James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Accurate, interesting, and succinct history of WWII, including major actions in all theaters. The author carefully outlines the important strategic decisions, and illustrates with inciteful discussions of well chosen tactical examples. All in all a great way to either learn or review the major points and events of this amazingly vast conflict.

[Lisa Shardlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I know it's called a 'World War' for a reason, but I literally had no idea just how much of the world was actually involved. There was a lot of names and information crammed into this average sized book, and I sometimes had trouble keeping track of where everyone was and what they were doing at certain stages throughout the war, but it was very informative and I've learned a lot from it.

[Paul Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very basic outline of WWII

Insightful in some areas. More of a way to introduce you to WWII, then you pick the area you would like to read more on.

[George Polansky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to the Second World War.