World War II: A New History / Edition 1

by Evan Mawdsley

Overview

This is a magisterial new global history of World War II. Beginning in 1937 with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, Evan Mawdsley shows how the origins of World War II lay in a conflict between the old international order and the new, and then traces the globalisation of the conflict as it swept through Asia, Europe and the Middle East. His primary focus is on the war's military and strategic history, though he also examines the political, economic, ideological and cultural factors which influenced the course of events. The war's consequences are examined too, in terms not only of the defeat of the Axis but also of the break-up of colonial empires and the beginning of the Cold War. Accessibly written and well-illustrated with maps and photographs, this compelling new account also includes short studies of the key figures, events and battles that shaped the war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521608435
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/03/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	498
Product dimensions:	6.84(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Evan Mawdsley is an Honorary Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow. His extensive teaching experience at Glasgow included a specialist course on the grand strategy of World War II. He is the author of a number of recent important books and articles on World War II, including Thunder in the East: The Nazi-Soviet War (2006/2015), December 1941: Twelve Days that Began a New World War (2009), and The War for the Seas: A Maritime History of World War II (2019). He was also general editor of the three-volume Cambridge History of the Second World War (2016).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xiii

Introduction 1

1 The world in 1937 10

2 Japan and China, 1937-1940 52

3 Hitler's border wars, 1938-1939 74

4 Germany re-fights World War I, 1939-1940 104

5 Wars of ideology, 1941-1942 134

6 The Red Army versus the Wehrmacht, 1941-1944 164

7 Japan's lunge for empire, 1941-1942 188

8 Defending the perimeter: Japan, 1942-1944 214

9 The 'world ocean' and Allied victory, 1939-1945 248

10 The European periphery, 1940-1944 284

11 Wearing down Germany, 1942-1944 320

12 Victory in Europe, 1944-1945 364

13 End and beginning in Asia, 1945 406

14 Conclusion 438

Further reading 452

Notes 470

Index 476

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight... What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from "General Ludendorff and total war" to "The Katyn massacre". This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference." -Joe Maiolo, BBC History Magazine

"It is a rare textbook that is both cutting and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history." - Times Higher Education, What Are You Reading? section

"...Professor Mawdsley is to be much congratulated on writing such a clear and perceptive account, and one that provides much food for thought." -Charles Messenger, The Journal of Military History

"Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war... without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works". -War in History, John Gooch

Editorial Reviews

Review of the first edition: 'It is a rare textbook that is both cutting-edge and new: the book proves that we need to place the start of the Second World War in East Asia in 1937, rather than Europe in 1939 or Russia and Pearl Harbour in 1941. It changes how we write history.' Times Higher Education

Review of the first edition: ‘To write a concise book about the biggest war in history is no small task, but Evan Mawdsley has done it with masterful skill and insight … What makes this a must-buy for anyone interested in the subject is the beautifully produced maps, illustrations and 57 short boxes on topics ranging from ‘General Ludendorff and total war' to ‘The Katyn massacre'. This is a superb read for students and general readers alike, but also an authoritative work of reference.' Joe Maiolo, BBC History

Review of the first edition: 'Fresh, insightful judgements and well-judged overall balance make this a masterful book. Its effectiveness is enhanced by the use of side panels that convey important factual information about the tools of war … without interrupting the flow of the narrative. In every respect - conception, design, construction and delivery - this is a book that really works.' John Gooch, War in History

From the Publisher