50 million dead. Western civilization shattered. The Second World War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_world_war) boggles the mind on every level. Of the hundreds of histories on either the whole, parts, or aspects of this recent conflict which should you choose? This is one that I really ‘enjoyed’ if that term is appropriate. Roberts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Roberts_(historian)) sheds great illumination. His style is clear, full of scholarship and is heartbreaking all in one. If somewhat Anglo-centric, this is compensated by many excellent qualities of explanation and insight. It was all so cataclysmic, and took place such a short time ago.
First published 2009.
Andrew Roberts
768 pages in Penguin paperback edition.
ISBN 978-0141029283