*History: World War II

This dictionary covers the complex and costly conflict that began when Germany, ruled by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, invaded neighboring Poland on 1 September 1939; and concluded when Germany surrendered on 7-9 May 1945, leaving much of the European continent in ruins and its population devastated. The war against Germany, Italy, and the other European Axis members was fought primarily in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, East and North Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Axis powers were defeated by the Allies, led by the "Grand Alliance" of Great Britain, the United States, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The Historical Dictionary of World War II: The War against Germany and Italy relates the history of this war through a chronology, an introductory essay, maps and photos, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has more than 300 cross-referenced entries on the countries and geographical areas involved in the war, as well as the nations remaining neutral; wartime alliances and conferences; significant civilian and military leaders; and major ground, naval, and air operations. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about World War II.

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of VE Day, The Oxford Companion to the Second World War is the most wide-ranging and balanced work on the Second World War, the ultimate reference on the subject. Its 1,750 alphabetically-arranged entries vary from brief definitions and one-linesignposts to major pieces of description and analysis of several thousand words. They cover every aspect of the Second World War, from strategy, politics, tactics, and weaponry to logistics, political and military leaders, economics, and the effects on society.The Second World War often divides the views of historians today almost as much as it divided combatants at the time. To reflect the diversity of views about the war the Companion has been written by an international team of more than 140 distinguished contributors, and includes Japanese, German,and Italian perspectives. The huge volume of information is supported by a wealth of illustrative and weaponry to logistics, political and military leaders, economics, and the effects on society.The Second World War often divides the views of historians today almost as much as it divided combatants at the time. To reflect the diversity of views about the war the Companion has been written by an international team of more than 140 distinguished contributors, and includes Japanese, German,and Italian perspectives. The huge volume of information is supported by a wealth of illustrative material including stunningly evocative black and white photographs, numerous explanatory diagrams and tables, and detailed maps.A truly international team of contributors including: John Gooch, Wilhelm Deist, Norman Davies, Robert O'Neill, David Kennedy, Martin Gilbert, Robert Dallek, Michael Howard, Richard Overy, Heinz-Dietrich Lowe, Yogi Akashi, Robert Service, Peter Calvocoressi, Anthony Farrar-Hockley, Judith Brown,Lucio Ceva, Sumio Hatano, Ben-Ami Shillony, Earl Ziemke, Klaus A. Maier, Ali Gheissari, Giorgio Rochat

Here is the authoritative and comprehensive reference work on the last world war, from an American perspective.  Published in hardcover in the midst of the 50th anniversary of various aspects of World War II, this ambitious work includes over 2,000 entries on military actions and battles, weapons, people, politics, culture, and everyday life, enlivened by quotes from the leaders of the day.  The result is a complete military and social history of the time.test

"The Second World War" contains vivid details of all the major events; the fall of France, the Western Desert, Hitler's fatal attack on Russia, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Victory in Europe and the defeat of Japan. This series is richly illustrated with nearly twenty thousand photographs and informative drawings and maps, which create a memorable and vivid portrait of war. Reprinted from contemporary accounts, this superb series is the most comprehensive work on the Second World War ever published. Its scope ranges from Hitler's Blitzkrieg, which crushed Poland in 1939, to the unconditional surrender of Japan six years later. In this savage war millions of lives were lost or changed forever. Week by week throughout the conflict the magazine War Illustrated recorded front-line accounts from war correspondents and fighting men. These accounts reveal not only the horror and bleakness of war, but tell the courage and humour of the men and women involved. Germany Invades Poland -- Russia Invades Finland -- Sinking of HMS Royal Oak & Courageous -- Battle of River Plate -- Maginot Line -- Battle of Atlantic Begins -- First Bombs on Britain -- The Commonwealth Joins the Fight

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American Women during World War II documents the lives and stories of women who contributed directly to the war effort via official and semi-official military organizations, as well as the millions of women who worked in civilian defense industries, ranging from aircraft maintenance to munitions manufacturing and much more. It also illuminates how the war changed the lives of women in more traditional home front roles. All women had to cope with rationing of basic household goods, and most women volunteered in war-related programs. Other entries discuss institutional change, as the war affected every aspect of life, including as schools, hospitals, and even religion. American Women during World War II provides a handy one-volume collection of information and images suitable for any public or professional library.

Scholarly treatment of World War II is constantly changing as new materials inform new interpretations. At the same time, current military operations lead to reevaluation of the tactics and technologies of the past. Marshalling the latest information and insights into this epic conflict, World War II at Sea: An Encyclopedia will enable students and other interested readers to explore specific naval engagements, while also charting the transformation of naval history through innovations in ordnance. In treating the naval aspects of World War II, this two-volume ready reference enhances the understanding of a part of the war that is often overshadowed by the fighting on land and in the air. The encyclopedia focuses on the events, individuals, organizations, and ideas that shaped the world's navies during World War II, as well as the resultant battles that changed naval history. It also covers the numerous innovations that occurred during the conflict and shows how strategies evolved and were executed.

An unprecedented achievement in publishing--a multivolume encyclopedic resource, for both the general reader and specialist--on the central conflict of the 20th century, The Encyclopedia of World War II covers the entire scope of the Second World War from its earliest roots to its continuing impact on global politics and human society. A monumental five-volume work, The Encyclopedia of World War II is an achievement in scholarship that surpasses all such efforts on World War II before it. From the conflict's historic origins to VJ Day and beyond, it offers readers unprecedented coverage of all aspects of the war as it played out in the corridors of power, in the minds of military strategists, on the battlefields, and in the lives of ordinary soldiers and civilians. Full of fascinating characters and insights, including a wealth of new information and new thinking about the war's events and impact, The Encyclopedia of World War II will stand as the definitive single reference on the subject for years to come. With over one million words of richly illustrated text, it covers every important battle and weapon system; individual nations and geographic locations; and political, social, and military leaders. Featured essays offer deeper analyses of crucial events such as Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the atomic bomb, and other fascinating topics. Providing its content is an incomparable team of international academics and independent historians. Volume five, the documents volume, is unmatched in breadth and depth and includes primary sources such as important official writings and personal reminiscences of the war's key events. * Over 1,400 A-Z entries, including lengthy biographies of individuals, studies of battles, details of weapons systems, and analyses of wartime conferences, crucial battlefield and diplomatic turning points, and lingering historical controversies * Over 270 contributors, including an unprecedented number of international authorities (many from Japan and China), giving the work a global perspective no other encyclopedia on World War II can match * A wealth of primary documents, ranging from official documents to personal correspondence, is included in a separate volume * An introductory section with 70 detailed geopolitical and military maps providing a clear orientation for proceeding with research into specific topics and events, as well as 300 photographs, illustrations, charts, and tables * Includes a discussion of military ranks of the major warring powers and a lengthy comparative table of officers and enlisted men