The Second World Wars

How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won

By: Victor Davis Hanson

Narrated by: Bob Souer

A definitive account of World War II by America's preeminent military historian.

World War II was the most lethal conflict in human history. Never before had a war been fought on so many diverse landscapes and in so many different ways, from rocket attacks in London to jungle fighting in Burma to armor strikes in Libya.

The Second World Wars examines how combat unfolded in the air, at sea, and on land to show how distinct conflicts among disparate combatants coalesced into one interconnected global war. Drawing on 3,000 years of military history, Victor Davis Hanson argues that despite its novel industrial barbarity, neither the war's origins nor its geography were unusual. Nor was its ultimate outcome surprising. The Axis powers were well prepared to win limited border conflicts, but once they blundered into global war, they had no hope of victory.

An authoritative new history of astonishing breadth, The Second World Wars, offers a stunning reinterpretation of history's deadliest conflict.

©2017 Victor Davis Hanson (P)2018 Tantor

The story behind the story of WW 2

I have read over 35 books on WW 2 and the "Second World Wars" is one the most fascinating. It tells the story behind the story of WW 2. The book also introduces new facts by a well-informed author. Could not stop listening.

great commentary on World War II

a different View and understanding of World War II that you've never heard before from an excellent scholar on war Victor Davis Hanson.

Really summarizes a grand war.

Ww2 is so big. So many people, stories, factors, history. It’s overwhelming but this book really helps to breakdown what ww2 was about. Does not cover specific experience and stories compared to memoirs but it is really knowledgeable and covers facts to hone down on a war that epic in scale. His explanations of people, leadership, weapons, technology, strategy, culture is really full and covers all grounds as best as can be. Read it. You will have a great overall, general yet detailed understanding of what this large war was about.

Amazing work

This is a well written and comprehensive book on WWII. I thought I knew a lot about the war but Mr. Hanson puts things together that I had never thought about. You won't be disappointed.

VDH - Always a Learning Experience

Gained new insight into an old subject through Prof Hanson breaking down WW2 by Fire, Water, Earth, etc...

WW2 a scholarly overview

This work provides an overview of Political, Economic, Military and Social conditions in each of the major combatants on the eve , during, and post conflict. I’ve struggled to fit the book into its class or genre but in fact it stands quite apart from traditional works that focus on the tactical or strategic or the personal perspective of a participant. Hanson gives us something unique an assessment backed up by historical observation that answers a few of those lingering questions about the conflict that have endured since it’s conclusion. I found great value in it in particular the arguments on why strategic decisions occurred. It went beyond simple analysis of process and includes the limiting factors in each scenario usually ignored by authors because of the depth of discussion required to fully explain and evaluate.

Excellent WW2 timeline

Narration: Clear, measured, professional.

Content: Exceptionally comprehensive, well organized, clear, efficient chronological rundown of salient WW2 dates, decisions, actions, and consequences; Key civil and military leaders, their character, competencies and flaws, specified and tersely explained.

Overall: Superb overview all WW2 theaters from beginning of hostilities to end.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Enlightening book

Learned many things about World War 2 from a different perspective. Have many audio book about this subject but this was perhaps the most informative that I’ve listened to. Talked about many generals involved on all side that I’ve never heard of in any other audiobooks. Good narration. Narrator kept the story going and it had a very go flow to the story. Would like to hear more about the author and any other books he has written and the same for the narrator.

Exceptional overview of WW II

I especially liked how the book was laid out with detailed analyses of leaders, generals, strategies or lack thereof, equipment of adversaries. Interesting analysis of aircraft’s of belligerents, how Germany’s lack of heavy long range bombers prevented bombing beyond the Urals. I loved the detail in every area presented.

VDH wrote exactly what a student of WWII needs!

This book was as comprehensive as one could ask for for someone who loves what I have always considered top be the, "Perfect War!"