A Short History of the Second World War

by Basil Collier

Basil Collier provides in this one volume a concise and highly readable account of the whole extent of the last war. He describes not only allied but also enemy strategy in each theatre of war, and sets the military struggles firmly in their context of politics and personalities in high command. The text is illustrated with nearly seventy maps, and all the main campaigns are covered: the invasions of Czechoslovakia and Poland; the German sweep through Europe, Russia and the Middle East; Pearl Harbor and Japanese expansion in the Far East; and then the great Allied counter-attack from Stalingrad and North Africa to Europe and the Pacific.

Basil Collier is a contributor to the United Kingdom Military Series of official histories of the Second World War, and has also published, as an independent writer, a number of other books about the war, which have appeared on both sides of the Atlantic and on the Continent. He has worked, too, as an officially accredited historian for the Cabinet Office, and brings this experience and expert knowledge to show not only what happened in the world between 1939 and 1945, but also how and why—surely a remarkable feat in 608 pages.

A Short History of the Second World War is authoritative and objective. It makes a first-class introductory study, and will remain one of the finest works of general reference to the war for a long time to come.

Genres: History

638 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1967

About the author

John Basil Collier MBE was a novelist, travel writer, critic and broadcaster who wrote several books of military history, particularly military aviation, World War II and military and political strategy.

Reviews

[Ruairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hidden gem of a book by british man, Basil Collier. It brings to life that dark period of history so you feel like you are with the soldiers. He has given tremendous detail of different invasions, provides figures and the goings on in the different governments involved. Above all, he provides a balanced assessment of the axis and allied forces without bias.