World War II was one of the greatest conflicts the world has ever seen. In this approachable and authoritative book, Spencer C. Tucker traces the history of the war and provides a clear overview of the events leading up to it, the war itself, and its aftermath.

The Second World War
- begins with the consequences of the First World War and the events of the 1920s and 1930s that led to a new world conflict
- examines the military strengths and weaknesses of the various warring nations, the course of the war, the pivotal battles, and the important weapons systems
- assesses the major diplomatic and military decisions and milestones, such as the decision to employ the atomic bomb
- explores the reasons why the war evolved as it did
- considers the socio-economic impact of the war on the home fronts
- discusses the immediate aftermath of the conflict and its important effects, the general peace settlement, and the origins of the Cold War

Combining military analysis with an incisive examination of the political and social aspects of the Second World War, this is an essential guide to one of the most turbulent and destructive phases in human history.