From influential British historian A.J.P. Taylor; a reprint of his influential text The Origins of the Second World War. Controversial for his thesis that Hitler was an opportunist with no thorough plan; The Origins of the Second World War is an extensive exploration of the international politics and foreign policy that lead up to the one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.Published in 1961; The Origins of the Second World War is a classic of modern history. A.J.P. Taylor's years of research helped change the long-accepted view that Adolf Hitler had wanted and planned in detail for a war. With clear and relatable prose; Taylor articularly depicts the diplomatic mistakes from both the Allied and Axis powers that lead to the outbreak of World War II. A groundbreaking work; The Origins of the Second World War "is an almost faultless masterpiece; perfectly proportioned; perfectly controlled" (The Observer).
#222059 in Books Modern Library 2001-03-06 2001-03-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .65 x 5.51l; .76 #File Name: 0679783245256 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Returning from the Unknown...By HMS Warspite"Great Exploration Hoaxes" is an brief; entertaining investigation into a sampling of celebrated feats of exploration and survival that probably weren't so real after all. Author David Roberts was a highly competent mountaineer in the 1960s and 1970's; he has since become a prolific and capable writer. This 2001 edition is a reprint of the 1982 original issue; with some updates.Roberts examines a number of cases: an English navigator said to have found Hudson's Bay before Hudson; a French priest who claimed the first navigation of the Mississipi River; a sailor who survived slavery in Madagascar; the claimant of the first run of the Colorado River; another who alleged the first ascent of Mount McKinley and the discovery of the North Pole; and his principal rival; the supposed first flight to the North Pole; the first ascent of Cerro Torre in Patagonia; and a sailor's solo struggle to circumnavigate the globe.In each case; the facts just don't add up; and Roberts shows the math. The still contentious cases of Dr. Frederick Cook and Admiral Robert Peary will be familiar to many readers. This reviewer found most intriguing the story of an Italian climber who claimed to have summited "the hardest mountain in the world" in Patagonia. Roberts' account reads like its own adventure story; his climbing expertise and familiarity with the climbing fraternity lend credibility to his analysis of the probable fraud. A close second for interest was the attempt by one Donald Crowhurst to fake his circumnaviation of the globe; while actually sailing in circles in the South Atlantic. The already troubled Crowhurst was apparently driven mad in the process.Roberts' attempt to psychoanalyze the men who perpetrated the hoaxes is far less satisfying than the accounts themselves. He is on firmer ground in identifying the dilemma of driven; sometimes extraordinarily capable men who can't quite live with the reality of comming up short on a lifetime quest. "Great Exploration Hoaxes" is highly recommended as an entertaining read for those who enjoy the adventure genre.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great book and an easy read.By Dave PearsonDo yourself a favor and buy this book. The idea of someone perpetrating a hoax for personal gain I find fascinating. Some of the stories you'll read you're already familiar with (Hennepin; Cook and Admiral Byrd). Other stories will be probably be new to you but I promise each one is equally intriguing as the next. The format this book is presented in is also very nice. You can either read it front to back or pick and choose the order you want to read the stories.9 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Roberts Digs for DirtBy Jena BallThe problem with Dave Roberts is that he has established himself in a particular genre - i.e. intense; concise and slightly acerbic adventure writing. As a result; you tend to expect that approach from all his writing; which isn't really fair; but there you have it.In Great Exploration Hoaxes; Roberts steps outside his usual format to do some research. I'm not really surprised. Comments in the introductions to his previous collections make it clear he is intrigued by the workings of the human psyche as well as the thrill of high risk adventure. However; this book is definitely a departure; and reads like a series of well-written research papers - which I guess; in essence; they are.There is nothing wrong with Great Exploration Hoaxes. It is a good read and I recommend it; especially if you are interested in what history says versus what actually happened. The problem lies with Robets tackling historical data. It is hard to bring the dead back to life; especially when their writing is not available for comment. For example; Roberts does a fine job of getting the reader interested in John Cabot; but must rely on the work of Cabot's contemporaries and other researchers to substantiate his theories.Roberts is at his best when he is relating the story and not supporting his hypothesis with data. But since he is trying to debunk some old myths; he naturally has to support his statements. It is an uneasy alliance that works; but is not the usual Roberts fare.I recommend the book; but will be looking forward to Roberts' next tale of his own wanderings and resulting insights.
