Turning the Tide — Decisive Battles Of The Second World War

by Nigel Cawthorne

book

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

236 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2002

About the author

Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor. He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times. He has appeared on television and BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Many of Nigel Cawthorne's books are compilations of popular history, without footnotes, references or bibliographies. His own web site refers to a description of his home as a "book-writing factory" and says, "More than half my books were commissioned by publishers and packagers for a flat fee or for a for a reduced royalty".

One of his most notable works was Taking Back My Name, an autobiography of Ike Turner, with whom he spent a number of weeks working with him on, taking up residence in Turner's house. The book caused much controversy, resulting in court cases for three years following its release.

Cawthorne currently lives in Bloomsbury, London with his girlfriend and son, Colin (born 1982).

Reviews

[Bill Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half really. An engaging overview of significant battles, too deep sometimes and too shallow at others. And people still think Hiroshima & Nagasaki triggered the Japanese surrender?

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book which gives a concise overview and analysis of some of the major battles of WW2. It falls over a bit in the final page saying The was was shortened by the dropping of atomic bombs. I was surprised this myth is still being put about. The reality was Japan would have surrendered without the use of atomic bombs. The country was on its knees with fire bombing and the USSR entering the war.

It was accurate in other parts though. Dunkirk due to Hitler putting on the breaks. The Battle of Britain won due to a German aircraft accidentally bombing a city resulting in Churchill ordering an attack on Berlin. Hitler then ordered a blitz on English cities instead of the airfields and radar installations. As a result, the air force could be rebuilt.

North Africa, Stalingrad, Europe and the Pacific battles were also interesting to read. Overall a good synopsis of major battles.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Would be a good introduction if you had never read anything on WWII. But if you have read extensively probably not worth reading. I'm a big enough WWII buff that I finished it even though I didn't read anything new.

[Corby H · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars.
Though there were some interesting sections, notably chapters 4 & 6 due to their subject, the Pacific Theater and my ignorance of the battles that took place in it, the book as a whole just seemed uninspired. It felt like I was reading a very long Wikipedia entry, but worse because there were no links to follow that could help me find the context of various battles, or fill in the blanks of why a certain commander did "this or that".
Overall it was an okay read, but it suffers from coming across as a regurgitation of facts stripped of a human perspective.

[Newfad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic history of 6 main battles of WW2. Explained well.

[Grand Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good overview of WW2.

[Wayne Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good book.