Williamson Murray was Professor Emeritus of History at The Ohio State University. He served as a Minerva Fellow in the Strategy and Policy Department at the U.S. Naval War College and most recently was the Ambassador Anthony D. Marshall Chair of Strategic Studies at Marine Corps University. Allan R. Millett is Raymond E. Mason Jr. Professor Emeritus of History at Ohio State University.
Their book, full of measured and incisive judgment…is a major
contribution to the vast literature of World War II.
*Wall Street Journal*
Compulsively readable… It supersedes all previous one-volume
histories of the war and is likely to remain the standard account
for years to come. A War To Be Won could hardly be more timely,
more welcome, or indeed more essential.
*Strategic Review*
The West’s eventual triumph is the subject of A War To Be Won, a
comprehensive and highly readable history by two eminent and
prolific military historians. Williamson Murray and Allan Millett
focus on operations but range far and wide into politics, strategy,
military doctrines (why armies fight the way they do), weapons,
science and tactics, from the bumbling politics of the ’30s to the
Cold War… This is edgy, though expert, history. The ordeal of the
Soviet war against Germany is dramatically and vividly told, as is
the pillage and rape that Red Army soldiers inflicted on prisoners
and civilians within reach… This is not written to be history from
the soldier’s point of view, but it becomes the story of the
soldiers’ war, and of the world they saved.
*Washington Post*
[Murray and Millett] are military historians but take an
extraordinarily broad view of the conflict [of World War II]—its
political and economic origins, its diplomatic maneuvering, its
strategic designs and its human toll, but above all its combat. In
600-plus pages, they zero in on the troops who did the fighting and
the commanders who led—and sometimes misled—them… The writing is
brisk and lively, the revelations sometimes startling, and the
selection of photographs generous and revealing. This is as
masterful and readable a one-volume history of the Second World War
as anyone is likely to write.
*Parade Magazine*
This is the one we have been waiting for… This work is so richly
textured that every reader will find in it a box of delights… The
authors omit no important dimension of the war.
*Naval War College Review*
In A War To Be Won: Fighting the Second World War, Williamson
Murray and Allan Millett have…eschewed grand strategy for what they
describe as operational history. They have plugged a large gap…
Their organization is exemplary; they combine firm and fresh
judgments with common humanity; and they achieve balance not only
between the theaters of war but also between themselves. Murray
knows about Germany, Britain and air power, Millett about the
United States and its armed forces. If they divided their subject
matter accordingly, the seams are never evident. This is an
outstanding history of the war.
*Times Literary Supplement*
Most recent single-volume histories of the Second World War have
been disappointing. It is a Herculean task to cover such a vast
canvas of time and space. Authors wilt visibly under the strain.
Here, however, is a work of exceptional quality from two
distinguished American military historians… This book makes an
important contribution to understanding both the military context
and the nature of this vast global conflict.
*Evening Standard*
The best synthesis of all of [the] new scholarship on WWII is, in
my opinion, Williamson Murray and Allan Millett’s superb
comprehensive history of the war… There are a number of rather
surprising assessments of individual commanders in the war… Anyone
interested in this deadliest of all wars should consult this
marvelous book.
*Albuquerque Journal*
An outstanding single-volume history of [a] central moment… [The
authors] write in a brisk, confident and knowledgeable style, often
sprinkling their analyses with pithy irony, sardonic wit and sharp
insights… Murray and Millett have produced a magnificent volume,
one that will fascinate and enlighten both expert and layman alike.
A War To Be Won now takes its place as the core volume in any
library on the history of the Second World War, and it will likely
remain so for years to come.
*Dallas Morning News*
Military historians Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett dissect
tactics and operations of the war’s major players in A War To Be
Won… Unlike other volumes on WWII, many of which examine the
soldiers’ day-to-day life in the trenches, A War To Be Won focuses
on the overall picture, the strategic successes and failures of the
warring nations.
*Denver Post*
World War II is fast slipping from memory. So it takes a book, such
as A War To Be Won…to make one realize the horror of that conflict…
In this comprehensive history of the military aspect of World War
II…[the authors] provide a broad view of the two-hemisphere
tragedy.
*St. Joseph News-Press*
Thousands of books have been published about World War II, but very
few have possessed the level of scholarly perspective, encompassing
scale, and insightful detail to be found in this one. With its
penetrating view of operational strategy on all sides during the
war, it is among the finest of WWII studies and the best one-volume
account of the military conflict I’ve ever read.
*The State (Columbia, SC)*
While…several volumes present admirably comprehensive panoramas of
the second world war, the very nature of this approach precludes
close operational analysis as opposed to general operational
narrative. This is the gap that A War To Be Won fills—an
operational history of the 1939–1945 war focusing on military
operations, with dispassionate discussion of military effectiveness
whether involving the Allies or the Axis… A War To Be Won, confined
within a single volume, is a remarkable achievement deserving of
the many plaudits it has received. It has a narrative deftness that
will attract the general reader, operational analysis incisive and
original enough to engage the specialist, technical evaluation and
tactical appraisal of military effectiveness in abundance, though
not without controversial, even acerbic comment where
appropriate.
*Times Higher Education Supplement*
Two highly accomplished historians…collaborated to produce this
magnificent one-volume history of World War II. While they do not
neglect political or economic factors, what truly sets this work
apart is their focus on ‘the conduct of operations by the military
organizations that waged the war.’… This is a riveting book that
stimulates as much as it informs—and is a must read for any student
of World War II or military professional.
*Naval History*
It is the most complete, balanced, and well-informed history of
military operations now available.
*Political Science Quarterly*
A magisterial, hypnotically detailed tactical narrative of WWII,
with competing military, political, and social histories of the
maelstrom writ large—yet comprehensibly presented… Coauthors Murray
and Millett spent decades on their research, and the result is an
essential plurality of understanding that allows them to consider
the military strategies (and underlying realities) of the various
Allied and Axis nations. Intentionally or otherwise, this book
covers ground distinct from Stephen Ambrose’s popular books, in
that they focus much less on the personalized experiences of the
soldier and more on the significant strategies, decisions, and
movements of governments and generals (and the corresponding
actions of the many individual naval, combat, and bomber units, and
sundry partisan and espionage triumphs) that taken together, form
the artificial patchwork of industrialized devastation we think of
as the war. Surprisingly, this ‘globalized’ perspective does
produce abstract or diffuse results, but allows the authors to
present a nuanced panorama of scarce information and unique
interpretation… Strongly written with the stern clarity of senior
historians, this is a spellbinding history: the reader will hear
the whine of the bombers and see the guttering lights of Europe,
and find this rich assemblage of horror and destiny hard to set
down.
*Kirkus Reviews*
Scholarship and insight place this book in the front rank of
military history written in the 20th century’s final decade. The
authors…make no secret of their convictions on personal,
institutional and operational issues, but are nevertheless
remarkably successful at avoiding the armchair debunking that mars
so many histories of the period.
*Publishers Weekly*
Without question A War To Be Won is the most compelling
single-volume history of the Second World War ever written. Murray
and Millett are superb historians imbued with a trenchant gift for
analysis, detachment, and synthesis. A noble, grand, and sweeping
achievement.
*Douglas Brinkley, Director, The Eisenhower Center, University of
New Orleans*
An excellent history of the Second World War, which offers a new
and deeply illuminating view of why the major operations were
launched and of the effectiveness with which they were conducted.
The story is enriched by an original analysis of the ideas,
ideological aims, technology, social consequences and international
impact of the most intense conflict that the world has seen. A
comprehensive, well-founded and enlightening single volume
history.
*Robert O’Neill, Chichele Professor of the History of War, All
Souls College, Oxford*
Murray and Millett have done an enormous service by providing a
wonderful, one-volume history of the fighting of World War II.
Those of us who fought the war must applaud them. It is a book for
everyone, not just for the military history buff. I plan to tell my
grandchildren that to understand World War II, the defining event
of the Twentieth Century, and the generation that fought it, they
must read this book.
*General John W. Vessey, U.S. Army (Ret.) and former Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff*
Amid the immense literature on the Second World War, it is
remarkable that one niche has not hitherto been filled: a
one-volume history focusing on military operations. This book
remedies that omission and does so superbly, with accuracy and
interpretive flair. There is nothing else quite like it.
*Russell F. Weigley, author of The American Way of War: A
History of United States Military Strategy and Policy*
The West's eventual triumph is the subject of A War To Be
Won, a comprehensive and highly readable history by two eminent
and prolific military historians. Williamson Murray and Allan
Millett focus on operations but range far and wide into politics,
strategy, military doctrines (why armies fight the way they do),
weapons, science and tactics, from the bumbling politics of the
'30s to the Cold War... This is edgy, though expert, history. The
ordeal of the Soviet war against Germany is dramatically and
vividly told, as is the pillage and rape that Red Army soldiers
inflicted on prisoners and civilians within reach. -- Robert
Killebrew * Washington Post *
World War II is fast slipping from memory. So it takes a book, such
as A War To Be Won...to make one realize the horror of that
conflict... In this comprehensive history of the military aspect of
World War II...[the authors] provide a broad view of the
two-hemisphere tragedy. -- Fred Slater * St. Joseph News-Press
*
Thousands of books have been published about World War II, but very
few have possessed he level of scholarly perspective, encompassing
scale and insightful detail to be found in this one. With its
penetrating view of operational strategy on all sides during the
war, it is among the finest of WWII studies and the best one-volume
account of the military conflict I've ever read. -- William W.
Starr, Columbia State
Two highly accomplished historians...collaborated to produce this
magnificent one-volume history of World War II. While they do not
neglect political or economic factors, what truly sets this work
apart is their focus on 'the conduct of operations by the military
organizations that waged the war.' ...This is a riveting book that
stimulates as much as it informs-and is a must read for any student
of World War II or military professional. -- Richard B. Frank *
Naval History *
An outstanding single-volume history of [a] central moment... [The
authors] write in a brisk, confident and knowledgeable style, often
sprinkling their analyses with pithy irony, sardonic wit and sharp
insights... Murray and Millett have produced a magnificent volume,
one that will fascinate and enlighten both expert and layman alike.
A War To Be Won now takes its place as the core volume in
any library on the history of the Second World War, and it will
likely remain so for years to come. -- Calvin L. Christman * Dallas
Morning News *
In A War To Be Won: Fighting the Second World War,
Williamson Murray and Allan Millett have...eschewed grand strategy
for what they describe as operational history. They have plugged a
large gap... They combine firm and fresh judgments with common
humanity; and they achieve balance not only between the theaters of
war but also between themselves. Murray knows about Germany,
Britain and air power, Millett about the United States and its
armed forces. If they divided their subject matter accordingly, the
seams are never evident. This is an outstanding history of the war.
-- Hew Strachan * Times Literary Supplement *
While...several volumes present admirably comprehensive panoramas
of the second world war, the very nature of this approach precludes
close operational analysis as opposed to general operational
narrative. This is the gap that A War To Be Won fills-an
operational history of the 1939-1945 war focusing on military
operations, with dispassionate discussion of military effectiveness
whether involving the Allies or the Axis... A War To Be Won,
confined within a single volume, is a remarkable achievement
deserving of the many plaudits it has received. It has a narrative
deftness that will attract the general reader, operational analysis
incisive and original enough to engage the specialist, technical
evaluation and tactical appraisal of military effectiveness in
abundance, though not without controversial, even acerbic comment
where appropriate. -- John Erickson * Times Higher Education
Supplement *
Military historians Williamson Murray and Allan R. Millett dissect
tactics and operations of the war's major players in A War To Be
Won... Unlike other volumes on WWII, many of which examine the
soldiers' day-to-day life in the trenches, A War To Be Won
focuses on the overall picture, the strategic successes and
failures of the warring nations. -- Dick Kreck * Denver Post *
[Murray and Millett] are military historians but take an
extraordinarily broad view of the conflict [of World War II]-its
political and economic origins, its diplomatic maneuvering, its
strategic designs and its human toll, but above all its combat. In
600-plus pages, they zero in on the troops who did the fighting and
the commanders who led-and sometimes misled-them... The writing is
brisk and lively, the revelations sometimes startling, and the
selection of photographs generous and revealing. This is as
masterful and readable a one-volume history of the Second World War
as anyone is likely to write. -- Herbert Kupferberg * Parade
Magazine *
The best synthesis of all of [the] new scholarship on WWII is, in
my opinion, Williamson Murray and Allan Millett's superb
comprehensive history of the war... There are a number of rather
surprising assessments of individual commanders in the war...
Anyone interested in this deadliest of all wars should consult this
marvelous book. -- Louis Ray Sadler * Albuquerque Journal *
A magisterial, hypnotically detailed tactical narrative of WWII,
with competing military, political, and social histories of the
maelstrom writ large-yet comprehensibly presented... Coauthors
Murray and Millett spent decades on their research, and the result
is an essential plurality of understanding that allows them to
consider the military strategies (and underlying realities) of the
various Allied and Axis nations. Intentionally or otherwise, this
book covers ground distinct from Stephen Ambrose's popular books,
in that they focus much less on the personalized experiences of the
soldier and more on the significant strategies, decisions, and
movements of governments and generals (and the corresponding
actions of the many individual naval, combat, and bomber units, and
sundry partisan and espionage triumphs) that taken together, form
the artificial patchwork of industrialized devastation we think of
as the war. Surprisingly, this 'globalized' perspective does
produce abstract or diffuse results, but allows the authors to
present a nuanced panorama of scarce information and unique
interpretation... Strongly written with the stern clarity of senior
historians, this is a spellbinding history: the reader will hear
the whine of the bombers and see the guttering lights of Europe,
and find this rich assemblage of horror and destiny hard to set
down. * Kirkus Reviews *
Scholarship and insight place this book in the front rank of
military history written in the 20th century's final decade. The
authors...make no secret of their convictions on personal,
institutional and operational issues, but are nevertheless
remarkably successful at avoiding the armchair debunking that mars
so many histories of the period. * Publishers Weekly *
Without question A War To Be Won is the most compelling
single-volume history of the Second World War ever written. Murray
and Millett are superb historians imbued with a trenchant gift for
analysis, detachment, and synthesis. A noble, grand, and sweeping
achievement. -- Douglas Brinkley, Director, The Eisenhower Center,
University of New Orleans
An excellent history of the Second World War, which offers a new
and deeply illuminating view of why the major operations were
launched and of the effectiveness with which they were conducted.
The story is enriched by an original analysis of the ideas,
ideological aims, technology, social consequences and international
impact of the most intense conflict that the world has seen. A
comprehensive, well-founded and enlightening single volume history.
-- Robert O'Neill, Chichele Professor of the History of War, All
Souls College, Oxford
Murray and Millett have done an enormous service by providing a
wonderful, one-volume history of the fighting of World War II.
Those of us who fought the war must applaud them. It is a book for
everyone, not just for the military history buff. I plan to tell my
grandchildren that to understand World War II, the defining event
of the twentieth century, and the generation that fought it, they
must read this book. -- John W. Vessey, General, United States Army
(ret.), and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Amid the immense literature on the Second World War, it is
remarkable that one niche has not hitherto been filled: a
one-volume history focusing on military operations. This book
remedies that omission and does so superbly, with accuracy and
interpretive flair. There is nothing else quite like it. -- Russell
F. Weigley, author of The American Way of War: A History of
United States Military Strategy and Policy
Most recent single-volume histories of the Second World War have
been disappointing. It is a Herculean task to cover such a vast
canvas of time and space. Authors wilt visibly under the strain.
Here, however, is a work of exceptional quality from two
distinguished American military historians... This book makes an
important contribution to understanding both the military context
and the nature of this vast global conflict. -- Max Hastings *
Evening Standard *
It is the most complete, balanced, and well-informed history of
military operations now available. -- James J. Sheehan * Political
Science Quarterly *
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
