cover image The Second World War: A Narrative History

The Second World War: A Narrative History

John Ray. Cassell PLC, $29.95 (328pp) ISBN 978-0-304-35303-3

The subtitle nicely captures the flavor of this work, explicitly aimed at generations with no personal experience of WWII. Ray, an author and history teacher in a British secondary school, describes the war concisely, comprehensively and quite readably. His expositions and overviews, especially concerning the Eastern and African fronts and the Far Eastern theater, are satisfying to a degree rarely found in more detailed, specialized or intimate accounts. The introduction reflects his approach, serviceably defining ""Second World War"" in terms of ""several conflicts, some linked, others separate, fought by nation states over a period of six years from 1939"" in ""two main theatres"" and ""on and under every ocean."" Another attractive feature is the attention invested in suggesting causes and consequences, thereby illuminating motives and follies. For the most part, the story-telling mode is captivating and somewhat reminiscent of Samuel Eliot Morison, marred only by rare sections with noticeably flawed syntax. This book will serve youth well, and even veterans of the voluminous war literature will find some new information and novel perspectives here. B&w photographs. (June)