American Heritage History of World War II Paperback – December 23, 2016

I first encountered Stephen Ambrose several years ago when I read "Citizen Soldier". It was a fresh look at American troops in the last months of World War II, and confirmed something my parents had told me that I never really believed--that after Normandy, the U.S. Army started sending half-trained troops to Europe as replacements for front-line units, resulting in high casualty rates for those replacements.Then I read "Band of Brothers", the book upon which the miniseries was based. Again, Ambrose told the story superbly, a modern-day Ernie Pyle. I subsequently saw him in several documentaries and was captivated by his knowledge of not only the war, but the "inside dope" of what the soldiers themselves experienced."American Heritage History of World War II" is the third Ambrose book I've read, and this one is global in scope. Unlike the books mentioned above, this one takes on the entire conflict, from 1939 to 1945, a sweeping look at the war on the ground, in the air, and at sea. No one book can adequately detail every theater or battle, but AHHWWII hits the high points and covers the grand strategy on all sides, from the frozen wastes of Russia to the steaming jungles of the Pacific. In addition to Poland, France, North Africa, Sicily and Italy, it covers Burma, China, Manchuria, the Philippines, and the Island-hopping campaign.Anyone who knew nothing about the greatest war in history could, after reading this book, describe at least the high points in great detail. It is a riveting book, packed not only with history but also inside, behind-the-scenes information. Classic Stephen Ambrose.Five stars all the way, ten if they were available. Download it now...you won't be sorry.

Good summary of World War Two. Lacks the depth of coverage that Shier had in his Rise and Fall of The Third Reich, but still an intersting read.

The author brings about the entirety of the war into a concise , always moving forward, entertaining and engaging read.

An interesting and compelling read, with a broad view of World War II. While I have read many books about specific aspects and battles of WW II, this is the first book that provides a comprehensive view of the war. The authors explore the politics, the motivations for war and explain how and why decisions were made.The book provides insight into drivers that set WWII in motion, pre war politics of all the combatants, the allied agreements and issues between Churchill, Stalin and FDR. There is more information about all regions involved. America's pre war involvement in the aid to Europe and how American industry turned the tide, The book also delves more deeply regarding the war in the Pacific: Beyond the 'Island hopping' philosophy and the magnificent USMC, too include the war in China, Burma, the dangers to Australia and India that were thwarted, The rational for Japanese suicide attacks and much more. A very readable high level look at this history changing conflagration.

This book is a good overview of World War II. If you have never studied or read about it, this is a fine book to begin exploring the history and impact of the war. A special note to liberals and progressives who are attempting to equate climate change as their World War II, you are very wrong. As Patton said comparing any human endeavor to war, makes the endeavor insignificant. Climate change comes nowhere close to the cost, destruction and devastation created by World War II.

Very well written and provides an excellent overview of World War II. It is not a detailed analysis but touches on the feelings of the people who were affected by it. An excellent read. Not a collectible though; many the books pages fell out as it was read.

I purchased the Kindle edition of this book originally, but saw comments that the KIndle edition had no pictures or maps. Thinking that the paperback had them instead, I made the mistake of ordering that too. Neither version has pictures, so if are like me and need maps to help follow the text, look elsewhere. As one commenter said, if you want maps, pictures, and other illustrations, buy the "Picture History" version instead. There are used copies here on Amazon for Salzberger's original 1966 book (without Ambrose's additions) as well as a 1994 "picture history" version (with Ambrose's additions, in both used and new copies).I personally found the text alone difficult to follow without maps that show the areas where battles were occurring given that borders and countries have changed much since WWII! While you can search the internet for maps, finding the correct ones can be a challenge. I am returning the paperback and plan to use the "picture history" version I just ordered to supplement my Kindle version.I will update this review with a link to the 1994 picture history once I receive it and am able to compare the text to the Kindle version.

This is a pretty good general treatment of World War II. Not too much depth, but enough info to fully tell the story of the political and military issues surrounding the conflict. I love history, because it weaves narratives which actually happened. The book is well written and easily accessible. It isn't a scholarly resource, but gives a nice overview of the last great war.Some have lamented the lack of photos in the electronic edition. For $2.99, I'm not exactly sure what else you would expect. Lack of pictures did not detract from the usefulness of this text for me.

Great historical piece. Everybody should read, especially those who doubt in America greatness

What I expected to be a dusty factual dictionary of events is an incredibly readable, interesting, bibliography. As someone born during this war and brought up on a diet of war stories, I had never been able to see the bigger picture in such graphic detail, until now. It was for this reason that I voted to LEAVE the EU. The unelected bureaucrats (dictators?) founded the Common Market on a deliberate deception by never disclosing the "ever closer union" intentions. Their commissioners and retired commissioners are forbidden telling the truth, on pain of losing their immense gold plated unearned pensions. For an example of this self perpetuating club, see Neil Kinnock and his family's positions in this institution. Read this and learn how the elected democracies of the west defeated the unelected dictatorships of the aggressors.

I like the novel on scale 9.10/10

A good account of events

Good