Books in World Wars series

Of all the battles of World War I, the Battle of the Somme is the best remembered for its extraordinary duration in pursuit of minimal gains, for the hardships endured by the troops in the trenches, and for the terrible casualties suffered by the British Army on the first day, July 1, 1916. Why was the Somme Valley chosen for "the great push"? Why did Sir Douglas Haig believe that the battle must be won at all costs? What inspired General Henry Rawlinson to command his men to walk across no man's land on July 1, resulting in 58,000 Allied casualties in a single day of fighting? This book looks at the battle in the context of World War I and examines the course of the battle and its long-term consequences.

This book provides a comprehensive outline of the battle between Japan and America which lasted for 4 years starting with the Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor and ending with the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It examines the key personalities, military strategies and human cost of the war in the Pacific, answering questions such as: How were Japanese and American civilians affected? What role did cultural differences play in the conduct of the war? and, Why did Japan risk attacking one of the most powerful nations on earth? Panels explaining the role of key players and strategies are scattered throughout as are fascinating photos and maps to illustrate this important part of world history.

The disputes that led to the outbreak of World War I were festering for decades before the first shots were fired. This book examines the long term causes, such as the system of alliances and the arms race, as well as examining the lead up to Franz Ferdinand's assassination which was the trigger for war to break out over Europe. It also provides important insights into the prevailing attitudes and key personalities that led to this devastating war. This book is a clear, well-written, authoritative text packed with useful information, fascinating, thought-provoking photographs, paintings, posters, cartoons and maps. It has a wealth of panels that give biographical details of the major personalities, statistical information, eye-witness accounts and poetic responses to the war. The book ends with a comprehensive date list, glossary and a list of further resources.