Martin Gilbert – The Second World War: A Complete History

A book that spans the course of the Second World War from its beginning to its actual aftermath, this is in my opinion possibly the definitive book for this period of history. Whilst the book depicts the actions of the Nazi Germany government at its centre, it crucially covers the actions of now revered figures such as Churchill and Roosevelt, the effects of the Pacific war and crucially, the ‘ordinary’ individuals caught up in these struggles.

For while the book dedicates a great amount of its prose towards the politics of the time, it frequently integrates a ground level view into its narrative, such as the horrific sufferings of the Polish, reinforced with consistently shocking use of facts including horrific acts of brutality and torture. Whilst it could be considered somewhat dry, the book provides a kind of involving and compelling sympathy through the information it provides and never shies away from the horrors of the holocaust. It is this kind of subtle sensitivity that renders it a very human and honest writing on the Second World War.

But the book could never be accused of taking dramatic licence with these events. The writing is shown embodying a complete authenticity and feels truly well researched. Small details for destroyed merchant ships, decryptions of German codes and use of spies add to an astonishing amount of detail which extends far beyond the general knowledge of these events. Gilbert never sacrifices relevant or important facts in order to progress the book forward to possibly more well known or established moments in this time. Rather, he consciously implements complete and utter reverence to all small details which truly extend the reader’s knowledge. Yet it is also a book that can be for any adult with a writing style which can involve even those not interested in the subject, making this both suitable for the casual reader and history buffs alike.

Whilst being a work of literature, the book does implement photographs which add to the impact of the work. A photograph of the conquest of Norway is particularly stunning and truly evokes the devastation of the war and provides a great relevance to what is depicted with the writing. Crucially, all the images within their content and context are mentioned within the book, giving them a phenomenal resonance and power. The book’s marriage of both literary and visual elements provides a further commentary and even more enlightenment on the Second World War.

A phenomenal read, this is an exceptional and compelling use of factual information. Deep yet very accessible, this is possibly the definitive outline of the events of the Second World War.

2 Responses to “Martin Gilbert – The Second World War: A Complete History”

1. Garland Alfiero says:

   February 4, 2010 at 1:15 am

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2. Mable Turmel says:

   February 13, 2010 at 11:08 am

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