The Second World War lasted for 2,174 days, cost $1.5 trillion, and claimed the lives of more than 50 million people. What were the factors that affected the war's outcome? Why did the Axis lose? And could they, with a different strategy, have won? Andrew Roberts's acclaimed new history has been hailed as the finest single-volume account of this epic conflict. From the western front to North Africa, from the Baltic to the Far East, he tells the story of the war—the grand strategy and the individual experience, the cruelty and the heroism—as never before. In researching this magnificently vivid history, Roberts walked many of the key battlefields and wartimes sites in Russia, France, Italy, Germany, and the Far East, and drew on a number of never-before-published documents, such as a letter from Hitler's director of military operations explaining the reasoning behind the Führer's order to halt the Panzers outside Dunkirk—a delay that enabled British forces to evacuate. Roberts illuminates the principal actors on both sides and analyzes how they reached critical decisions. He also presents the tales of many little-known individuals whose experiences form a panoply of the extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, as well as the terrible depravity and cruelty, of the Second World War. Meticulously researched and masterfully written, The Storm of War gives a dramatic account of this momentous event and shows in remarkable detail why the war took the course it did.
Download and start listening now!
"It's difficult to believe that there's still more to be written about the Second World War, but this book is the best modern example. It's comprehensive in its coverage of every theater, with new, poignant illustrations of the waste and inhuman savagery (or rather, human-scale savagery) of the conflict. Special chapters are devoted to the Holocaust, the Battle of the Atlantic, and the strategic bombing campaigns waged by all combatants. And it's full of new research, including recently declassified documents as well as key margin notes from the books in Hitler's library. Highly recommended." — Sean (5 out of 5 stars)
"It's difficult to believe that there's still more to be written about the Second World War, but this book is the best modern example. It's comprehensive in its coverage of every theater, with new, poignant illustrations of the waste and inhuman savagery (or rather, human-scale savagery) of the conflict. Special chapters are devoted to the Holocaust, the Battle of the Atlantic, and the strategic bombing campaigns waged by all combatants. And it's full of new research, including recently declassified documents as well as key margin notes from the books in Hitler's library. Highly recommended."
Roberts gives [listeners] a new, well-written retelling of the spectacular ebb and flow of World War II.
" Interesting, clear, well-researched. Intriguing premise, can't wait to see how Robersts develops it. "
" Superbly detailed but fast moving overall history of WWII. Conveys the astoundaing sadness, badness, and brilliance of humanity's greatest conflict. "
" Best strategic view of WWII overall that I've read. Love the British Commonwealth perspective that the author brings. More than a telling of the history, Roberts goes deep into the strategic mis-steps by Hitler throughout the conflict. Highly recommended. "
" This is a fantastic single-volume history of WWII, I would love to know if there is one better. It touches on all of the points you want to know about and gives you all of the stunning statistics that illuminate the sheer scale of the conflict. At 600 pages, it is to be expected that some areas would be given short shrift -- and the war in the Pacific certainly is. But nonetheless an extraordinary read. "
" Written in a way that I could follow along easily and with plenty of maps, the book kept my interest chapter after chapter. I enjoyed his occasional humorous side comments when Hitler or a general did or said something especially stupid or bombastic. Roberts brought across to me for the first time how close we came to losing WWII and I have an even greater respect for the RAF than I had before. "
" Unlike most great histories of world war II, this one is current enough to take advantage of recently (as recent as 2008 if I recall) released documents and tidbits. More than once while reading this book I found myself backtracking to review a bombshell tossed in like it was just another well known fact. Expect to say "wait, what?!" a few times while reading this book. :P "
" He's British, so it's more Brit-focused, which is fine. Learned about the India/Burma campaign, which was great. The Pacific theater feels almost ignored. You won't get every bit of WWII in this, but it's a good entry point. "
" More story than history. Falls into that creepy realm of wistful obsession with what Germany could have done to win. Scant attention to the Pacific Theater and almost entirely ignores the war in China. "
" Best history of ww2 that I think I have ever read. Mostly from a Europe/Hitler viewpoint and very interesting. Only beef was the author's use of occasional foreign words and which I didn't understand. "
" This a great history book. Considering the amount of information that has been condensed in just one volume, it is easy to read and a great introduction to the subject. After reading this book I was hungry for more detailed books on the different aspects of WWII. Excellent work. "
" Terrific one volume history of WW 2. Reccommend "
" I like the descriptions of the soldiers and officers. They seem more humane under his pen. His battleground layouts are very real to me. For me one of the better military history's of the 2nd World War. "
" Great book. Good coverage of the entire war not just D-Day and Pearl Harbor. Did not know any of the details of the war in Russia. "
" If I had more time I would have finished this book a long time ago - it is hard to put down. "
" A look at WW2 from from a British historian. Contains new material, broad historical insights, fascinating personal vignettes of major players. An excellent read if you like WW2 history "
" A great overview of WW2. It includes a good section on the Eastern front of the European Theater and S.E. Asia. The only slighted area is the American Pacific "island hopping" campaign. "
" Exceptional history of the World War II. Recommended for anyone interested in knowing more detail of this world war. "
" Didn't learn much I didn't already know. Good for someone new to WWII. Pretty British oriented. "
" 608 pages of in-depth information about WW II, extremely well-documented and with photos to make the sometimes dry reading easier to digest. Although I have a bit more to read, if you are interested in WW II, this is a good one-volume source. "
" This was an excellent book. I've always thought that one book really can't do WWII much justice but I have to say that I loved every page of this book. The over-arching themes I knew, but the detail was mostly stuff I had never heard. "
" Outstanding book, though more of a British emphasis than most Americans would expect. However, the real emphasis is the Eastern Front, where the war was really won and lost. Very well written. I suggest reading along with Richard Overy's "Why the Allies Won" for their complimentary insights. "
" Just won this book through Goodreads first reads, looking forward to reading and reviewing! Ok, this one may take a few years. "
" A superb new history of WW2 from Andrew Roberts. I learnt much from this book (and is not as if I don't already have a good knowledge of the war), it was especially poignant reading it during Remembrance week. Very well written, some great quotes. Recommended. "
Andrew Roberts is the bestselling author of The Storm of War, Masters and Commanders, Napoleon and Wellington, and Waterloo. A Fellow of the Napoleonic Institute, he has won many prizes, including the Wolfson History Prize and the British Army Military Book Award, writes frequently for the Wall Street Journal, and has written and presented a number of popular documentaries. He lives in New York City.
Christian Rodska has worked in theaters all over the United Kingdom and in the West End, and he has recorded hundreds of radio plays and poetry programs. Over the last thirty years he has worked regularly in television, from early programs such as Follyfoot and Doomwatch, to Taggart, Sharpe, and Wycliffe. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and has won several awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.