The Encyclopedia of World War II by
An unprecedented achievement in publishing--a multivolume encyclopedic resource, for both the general reader and specialist--on the central conflict of the 20th century, The Encyclopedia of World War II covers the entire scope of the Second World War from its earliest roots to its continuing impact on global politics and human society. A monumental five-volume work, The Encyclopedia of World War II is an achievement in scholarship that surpasses all such efforts on World War II before it. From the conflict's historic origins to VJ Day and beyond, it offers readers unprecedented coverage of all aspects of the war as it played out in the corridors of power, in the minds of military strategists, on the battlefields, and in the lives of ordinary soldiers and civilians. Full of fascinating characters and insights, including a wealth of new information and new thinking about the war's events and impact, The Encyclopedia of World War II will stand as the definitive single reference on the subject for years to come. With over one million words of richly illustrated text, it covers every important battle and weapon system; individual nations and geographic locations; and political, social, and military leaders. Featured essays offer deeper analyses of crucial events such as Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the atomic bomb, and other fascinating topics. Providing its content is an incomparable team of international academics and independent historians. Volume five, the documents volume, is unmatched in breadth and depth and includes primary sources such as important official writings and personal reminiscences of the war's key events. * Over 1,400 A-Z entries, including lengthy biographies of individuals, studies of battles, details of weapons systems, and analyses of wartime conferences, crucial battlefield and diplomatic turning points, and lingering historical controversies * Over 270 contributors, including an unprecedented number of international authorities (many from Japan and China), giving the work a global perspective no other encyclopedia on World War II can match * A wealth of primary documents, ranging from official documents to personal correspondence, is included in a separate volume * An introductory section with 70 detailed geopolitical and military maps providing a clear orientation for proceeding with research into specific topics and events, as well as 300 photographs, illustrations, charts, and tables * Includes a discussion of military ranks of the major warring powers and a lengthy comparative table of officers and enlisted men
The Oxford Companion to World War II by
'The Oxford Companion to the Second World War, by virtue of its scale, its range and its scholarship, is an outstanding guide, as sensible and cogent on the big questions as it is instructive and informed on the lesser ones.'HEW STRACHAN, TLS'indispensable...unlikely to be superseded this century'JOHN KEEGAN, Daily Telegraph'easy to use, solid of fact, perceptive and judicious'JOHN ERICKSON, Times Higher'It will immediately take its place as the indispensable reference book for students of the second world war.'GORDON LEE, The Economist'a magnificent volume and an invaluable resource'J. A. CRANG, The Historical AssociationThese are just a few of the review quotes generated by the Companion when it was published in hardback in 1995.World War II was a war that affected the whole world and reached into every aspect of existence. It was a war which touched all nations, penetrated all aspects of people's lives, and which helped shape the world today. Over 140 distinguished and internationally renowned contributors have writtenover 1750 entries covering the very wide-ranging topics that make up the single subject of World War II.Entries include:surveys of major countries: France, Germany, Australia, India, USA, Japan, including sections in each about domestic life, culture, economics, government, resistance, and defencecolonial possessions and less major players: British Central Africa, British Cameroons, Dutch East Indies, Latvia, Libya, Slovakiacampaigns: East Africa campaign, Burma campaign, Normandy campaign, Fezzan campaigns, Western desert campaignsbattles: battle of the River Plate, battle of East China Sea, battle of Kasserine Passmilitary operations: FALL GELB, BARBAROSSA, OVERLORDtypes of warfare: electronic, chemical, economic, signals intelligencewartime leaders: Stalin, Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Mussolini, Hirohitopolitics and strategy: Grand Alliance, the Final Solution, the atomic bombdesign, development and use of machines and weapons: tanks, submarines, rockets, battleships, anti-tank weapons, human torpedoes, Baka bombsorganisations associated with the war: Arab League, Force K, Hitler Youth, Cossacksplaces made famous in the war: Dachau, Bletchley Park, Nagasakislogans and phrases: wavy navy, Bevin Boys, Big Red One, jerry cans, Blackshirts
World War II in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with General Sources by 
