
Member Reviews

Peter Fritzsche's significant new study of World War II, entitled "1942: When World War II Engulfed the Globe" is being published by Basic Books, which has graciously provided me with an ARC of the book for review purposes.. This is one of those books which approaches its complicated topic through the examination of a particularly significant year in the events under examination. When 1942 began the Axis was riding high and the outlook for the West was dismal if not without hope. By the time that fateful year had concluded, a series of dramatic events had provided new evidence that all was not lost. In Fritsche's text, his approach is to examine events, both military and demographic, through a carefully organized collection of chapters examining specific battles and trends with a particular eye towards the human cost and consequences of the ongoing struggle. The chapters themselves are reasonably concise and to the point. They are organized into six larger groupings allowing the author to further group them and suggest overlapping and overarching themes. This is not your grandfather's military history, but then, this war was far from being typical of all those that had preceded it. It belongs in every collection and is well worth the reader's time. I am especially pleased at the author's use of literary as well as historical sources to bring everyone's' experience into play. It is a book worth reading.

Truly, this book was amazing. There are so many facts, all with sources linked so the reader can read/clarify more in depth if necessary. I was looking for a book that would educate me on World War II and what led up to it and this one definitely did.
Although there were times I had to reread a section, this was in no part due to the author but rather my lack of knowledge about this period of time.
Very well written and I highly recommend!
Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the honor of reviewing this book.

Great read. Focusing on 1942 rather than a broad overview of WWII was perfect for me. I feel like I learned a lot of new insight into the what why and how of the war.

As a military historian, I had always recognized the importance of the year 1942 in the history of the world. But this book provided me with insights that I had not realized. The book is well-researched and well-told. I like the author's more conversational style of writing. On a few occasions, the author dwelt a bit too long on several subjects, especially those social in nature. But, other than that, I could find not flaw in this book.