The War in the West: A New History Volume 2, . the Allies Fight Back 1941-43

For a world war two junkie this is a good book but it is not the best. The most instructive section was on the U-boat war. Mr Holland hints that Germany could have starved England to death. Little is mentioned on the battle of Stalingrad. Mr Holland mentions on pg 464 that von Ribbentrop "urged Hitler to put out peace feelers to Stalin." I was not aware of this. The author as far as i am aware does not give a source. In my opinion the best part was on the battle of the Atlantic and how Hitler did not understand naval power and how Hitler made the egregious error of building big "impressive" battleships like the Bismarck instead of focusing on U-boats. I recommend this book.

The author’s first volume “The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941” was a very well told narrative, no spectacular new insights, but a good solid history of this part of the war. The second volume “Allies Strike Back” continues in this vein. The author does justice to the role of economy and infrastructure however the coverage of forced labor under the Nazis is rather superficial compared to its importance. I believe the same can be said of the impact of Jewish persecution and deportation and the involvement by the Wehrmacht and Western European collaborators. But there is only so much space in a single book and any author must make choices. The author never sets out to tell of history of the atrocities of the Third Reich.The British focus of these volumes in many ways nicely compliment the American focus of Rick Atkinson’s Liberation Trilogy, in places they overlap the unique detail and perspective of each go well with the other. Adam Tooze’s “Wages of Destruction” and “Hitler's Beneficiaries” by Götz Aly also fill in much of the detail regarding economy, raw materials and labor.The author is a good writer and careful historian and the volumes are as enjoyable to read and the subject matter is unpleasant. After a life of reading books on World War II, I still devoured this book and gained much in the reading.

A military truism is "Amateurs talk tactics. Professional talk logistics." Holland is the first major popular historian of the Second World War to place what might best be called "strategic logistics" at the heart of his narrative. There are a lot of books about the war, but Holland is the first author to describe how overwhelmed Germany was by the resources of its opponents. Everyone knows that the United States outproduced Germany and Japan, but few realize that the British Empire had enormous resources at its disposal as well. Everyone knows that Germany had the resources of its conquests to exploit, but few are aware of how badly they did so, or how badly they used their own. Holland's other contribution is to show how awful Hitler was as a war leader. He had no real grasp of strategy, nor of the way the world actually worked. This is an excellent series, and I await the last volume with great anticipation.

This is an excellent book. I seem to be a World War II history buff, as I have read a lot of books about World War II. One of my favorites was the first volume in this series by the author, The Rise of Germany, and so, when this. took became available int he States, I just had to have it. I ordered it on the day it became available, in October 2017 and I have just finished it. What is so appealing about the way this author writes about the war in the West? It is not a detailed account of each battle, although it does address the battles, both in terms of what happens and the decision making or lack thereof that went into the battle plans. The author freely expresses his opinion as to whether a war leader is effective or incompetent, and can be very critical when leadership is poor or a leader is completely out of his depth. It is very good, though, in painting an overall picture of all the factors in play in what was going on in the West, from Germany's attach on Russia (although that is in the East and only peripherally a part of this book), to the victories of the Allies in North Africa and in the Battle of the Atlantic, including the strategy involved, the resources, the decision making, the interplay of leaders and other factors at play. And it does this from all sides, although mostly from the primary parties at play - Great Britain, USA and Germany. The decision making inside Russia is not really a part of this book, but the fact there is a lot of what was going on inside Germany during this period of time is very enlightening.The other thing that make this an excellent book is that the experiences of individuals involved in the war effort and brought into the story and integrated very well into what was happening at the time, including the perspective of solders from USA and Great Britain, but also individual Germans, leaders, generals pilots, those in charge of industrial output, and more. It brings the war down to a very personal level and makes the story moving and very personal.If I was to criticize anything in the book it would be the large number of times where he shows that Germany was having its internal problems as well as the Allies. Of course they were, and it is very good to point that out, but the frequency of discussing the problems Germany was having, and even had at the outset of the war to some extent, makes one wonder how the Germans made it as long as they did before they were defeated. Clearly the author had no high opinion of Hitler as a war leader. Maybe some light will be shed in the next volume as to how Germany held out as long as it did, and how it continued to inflict setbacks on the Allies, such as the Battle of the Bulge. But that is a minor criticism, and overall I am sure pretty accurate. I highly recommend this volume and the one that preceded it for an excellent very readable account of the war in the West.

As a book this is incredible in its depth and breadth but as an Audible download it's even better. This is not always the case but I've found novels are less good but historical books often are.Holland has done an incredible job here in the second of his 'War in the West' books, covering all aspects of the war and in ways not previously done.Like book one, this is a mix of first hand accounts, background information and then how they all tie in together to make the story. It works fantastically well as an audio book.Now, like many with a passing interest in history the focus has always been on the big battles and the wins and losses from each. What is missing is of course the context and even more importantly why a win was a win or a loss was a loss. More often than not it boils down to supply chain management of material and men.Holland puts to rest some of the many myths surrounding the German war machine that actually flattered to deceive. Mighty as it was, it was built on a pillar of sand. The British - and then the Americans - did the reverse. They started with a clear long term vision that required a firm base from which to win from. The contrast is stark between the German ideology of quick wins against the slower grinding ideas of the Allies.And we all think of the US as entering the war after Pearl Harbour in December 1941. No. The US Navy from the start of 1941 was performing escort duties for the merchant vessels sailing the Atlantic.This is just one thing I had not realised and there are of course many more.Overall, a captivating book - along with it's predecessor - and one that brings together the historical period of WW2 better than any other I've read - or listened to more accurately.

With a father (RM attached to the SDF -Eritrea - Battle of Keren) and uncle (DSO at the botched RM Commando landing at Tobruk) both with the Africa Star, I was bound to be more than simply a reader albeit their parts hardly get a mention!, especially as the easy style of reading makes it whizz along. Also I had a stepfather who was a RN corvette captain DSC, so lots of first hand histories. But this is much more than this. Holland is not the first author to point out that Hitlers massive gambles where badly conceived and bound, ultimately, to fail simply because he didn't have the transport infrastructure or food, but he does it well and engagingly. It was particularly good on the machinations that made the war effort so successful for the allies and so bad for the Axis.Why not five stars? Where were the Russian sources? Theres not a lot of evidence he used any resources from the Eastern part of the Western war effort.

The author's style isn't entirely to my taste and he uses some clunking phrases 'needless to say' and 'any time soon' being a couple.However, the pace is good and personal testimony is incorporated to good effect.Every book I read about the subject seems to cast further light on this endlessly fascinating conflict and these volumes are particularly rich in explorations of hitherto neglected areas.Thoroughly recommended.

Very well written and enjoyable account of the mid war period focusing on Europe. Moves at a good pace to keep the reader engaged. Nice to read a slightly different take on history.

This second volume is just as addictive as the first. The narrative is fast paced and packed with first hand accounts and a wealth of fascinating detail.I can't wait for volume three!

Very journalistic style, that breathes life into its characters, yet doesn’t skimp on the history. Great that he follows the experience of ordinary soldiers as well as the generals and politicians. I thought I knew my history, but I learned more reading this.

If you haven't read the first one, read that first. If you have, then you know how good it was and this is absolutely more of the same. Can't wait for the third.

I think these books by James Holland are some of the best I've read on the Second World War (and I've read an awful lot of others!). Fully recommended.

great book read the companion book so I was looking forward to this and was not disappointed, puts a perspective on ww2 especially France's collaboration and De Gaulle

I have just come across James Holland. His approach to non- fiction history is unique, superbe. I shall slowly work through his various history books with great enjoyment.

An excellent read

Just started it, but like the first volume it creates the impression of providing new takes on an old story.

Brilliant

Mr Holland has a rare talent and this is a tour de force.Quite a large section on the war in N W Africa which is not often included in other histories.

Excellent follow on to the first volume with interesting new info and a different look at what you thought you knew. Can't wait for the third volume.