This is the definitive illustrated history of the people, politics, and events of World War II–the epic conflict that shaped the modern world.

From the buildup to the war, to the reverberations still felt in the aftermath, this is a compelling, accessible, and immediate history of the war, perhaps the most complex, frightening, and destructive event in world history.

Discover how deep-seated local fears and hatreds escalated into one vast global conflict that was fought out to the bitter end. Find out about key battles, political and economic forces, individual leaders, and technological advances that influenced the course of the war. Global maps establish an overview of each year of the conflict, from the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to Pearl Harbor, the D-Day landings, and Hiroshima.

Packed with images, including rarely seen color photographs and unforgettable first-person accounts, A Short History of World War II is a uniquely accessible account of history’s most devastating conflict.