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World War II

A History in Documents

James H. Madison

Publication Date - 13 November 2009

ISBN: 9780195338126

176 pages
Paperback
8 x 10 inches

In Stock

Offers a global and multifaceted perspective of World War II.

Description

World War II: A History in Documents illustrates the major themes and issues of the Second World War, including its causes, course, and consequences. Paying attention to both the European and Pacific Theaters--as well as to homefront and battle front issues--author James H. Madison blends discussions of diplomacy and strategy with insights into the lives of ordinary people around the world, including factory workers, soldiers, mothers, propagandists, political leaders, and survivors.

Set in thoughtful contexts, these powerful and telling documents encourage students to compare different nations and cultures at war and to think critically about twentieth century history. The documents include such diverse items as American political cartoons, combat memoirs of American GIs, a call for Canadian women war workers, popular American songs, an interview with a Tuskegee Airman, Eisenhower's D-Day message, Russian propaganda posters, the diary of a German teenager, a memoir of Japanese-American internment, a painting of an Australian bomber crew, newspaperman Ernie Pyle's reports to the home front, the last letter from a Japanese kamikaze pilot, and testimonies of Holocaust survivors.

World War II: A History in Documents includes a picture essay on propaganda posters and numerous graphics (posters, photographs, maps, etc.) throughout, which also serve as documents. Offering a global and multifaceted perspective of World War II, this diverse collection of textual and visual documents is ideal for undergraduate courses in World War II and military history.

Features

  • Illustrates the major themes and issues of the Second World War, including its causes, course, and consequences
  • Blends discussions of diplomacy and strategy with insights into the lives of ordinary people around the world
  • Documents include such diverse items as American political cartoons, combat memoirs of American GIs, a call for Canadian women war workers, popular American songs, and an interview with a Tuskegee Airman
  • Includes a picture essay on propaganda posters and numerous graphics (posters, photographs, maps, etc.) throughout

About the Author(s)

James H. Madison is Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor of History at Indiana University. He is the author of A Lynching in the Heartland: Race and Memory in America (2001) and coauthor of The Americans: A Brief History, Fourth Edition (1985).

Table of Contents

    What is a Document?
    How to Read a Document
    Introduction
    Note on Sources and Interpretation
    1. To War, Again
    Aggressor Nations
    From Appeasement to War
    Dark Days for the Allies
    2. Fighting Men and Women
    Men and Women in War
    Combat Misery
    Killing and Death
    Atrocity, War Crimes, Limitlessness
    3. Mobilizing for Total War
    War Production
    Mobilizing Workers
    Allied Success
    4. Home Front Sacrifice and Morale
    Forward Together
    Food and Rationing
    Bombing of Civilians
    Civil Liberties
    Fun on the Home Fronts
    5. Picture Essay: Wartime Posters Send the Message
    6. Turning Points toward Allied Victory
    Eastern Front
    The Second Front
    Pacific Theater
    7. Peace
    Victory
    The Guilty
    Occupation
    From Hunger to a Better World?
    8. War Memories
    The "Good War" and Other Memories
    Atrocities and Apologies
    Museums and Memorials
    Time Line
    Further Reading
    Websites
    Text Credits
    Picture Credits
    Acknowledgments
    Index
    About the Author

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