This is a modern account of the 1939-45 conflict, illustrated with state-of-the-art graphics and hundreds of photographs. From the controversial origins of the Second World War to the course of each campaign, Dr. John Ray's narrative incorporates all the revelations of recent years. Ever since the secret of 'Enigma' was revealed, the history of many battles and campaigns has had to be rewritten. The opening of Russian archives has led to major changes in our understanding of the greatest land battles in history.Concise, fast-moving and utterly compelling, this new account of the Second World War is both comprehensive and easy to follow. Dr. John Ray investigates the social, political and military background to the war and the strengths and weaknesses of the Axis and Allied armed forces. He traces the course of the conflict across all campaigns from Poland in 1939 to Manchuria in 1945. He examines the role of key military and political leaders and never loses sight of the sometimes enormous gulf between how battles were planned and what actually happened on the ground. Read Less