P. M. H. Bell was Reader in history at the University of Liverpool and is the author of many books, including The Origins of the Second World War in Europe. He lives in Surrey, England.
"The author’s greatest virtue [is] his keen and frequently
articulated sense that, at any vital moment, things might easily
have turned out differently."—World War II Magazine
*World War II Magazine*
“Philip Bell provides a sharp depth of writing that conveys the
detail required in an engaging and informative manner about a
multi-faceted conflict that still grips our attention even after
all these years.”—Leslie J M Obre, History Teaching Review
*History Teaching Review*
"Through a sharp focus on a number of key episodes, Philip Bell's
lucid and fascinating analysis is able to highlight the
uncertainties of the Second World War, and show that its outcome
was at many points less predictable than we often presume."—Ian
Kershaw
*Ian Kershaw*
"Crammed full of appropriate facts from impartial and impeccable
sources, Philip Bell's masterful Twelve Turning Points of the
Second World War is an important book for all military and
political historians, and should be a recommended read for every
English-speaking school sixth form."—Patrick Delaforce, author of
The Rhine Endeavour and Invasion of the Third Reich
*Patrick Delaforce*
"As in all of his books, Professor Bell's Twelve Turning Points
manages to combine vast knowledge, erudite argumentation, and
smooth writing in equal measure. The result is that rare bird: a
scholarly book that should appeal to a broad audience, from
professors to the undergraduates they teach, and from experts to
buffs. Along the way, he does something I regarded as impossible:
restore the credibility of the most abused concept in the military
historical canon, the “turning point.” By defining the turning
point as an event representing “decisive or important change,” and
rejecting the notion of an allegedly magic moment that transformed
defeat into victory (or vise versa), Bell has written one of the
most sensible books to appear on the war in years. Of course, your
list of turning points may diverge from Bell's, but one senses that
he wouldn't mind a bit, as long as he has made you think about the
topic and a new and interesting way. It is another of the virtues
of this very valuable book." - Robert M. Citino, Military History
Center, University of North Texas
*Robert Citino*
An erudite analysis of the Second World War drawing on a mass of
archival material -- Frontline (India)
*Frontline (India)*
This is really a collection of essays which asks readers to think
again...Even those who would disagree with Prof. Bell's reference
to the UK 'bankruptcy' in 1945 would accept that the arguments put
forward here are a refreshing adjustment to views too readily
accepted -- T.B.
*Contemporary Review*
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