The Battle of Britain. Pearl Harbor. Stalingrad. D-Day. These defining events of the Second World War exemplify both the immense heroism and the grievous costs of global conflict. They are the tense; thrilling moments that had the potential to swing the war in favor of either side and in turn change the course of history. In this gripping new look at the twentieth century's most crucial conflict; historian P. M. H. Bell analyzes twelve unique turning points that determined the character and the ultimate outcome of the Second World War. Be they military campaigns; economic actions; or diplomatic summits; Bell's twelve turning points span the full breadth of the war; from the home front to the front line. Many are familiar—Barbarossa and Hiroshima among them—while sections on war production; the Atlantic convoy system; and the conferences at Tehran and Yalta emphasize the importance of the combatants' actions off the battlefield. Through these keenly narrated episodes; Bell reveals how the Allied and Axis powers achieved their greatest successes and stumbled into their strategic failures; inviting us to think about the Second World War in a fresh; stimulating way. Ultimately; his close study of these dozen turning points reminds us; often terrifyingly; how easily things might have turned out differently.
#276408 in Books imusti 2010-03-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .56 x 5.48l; .55 #File Name: 030016453X200 pagesYale University Press
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Rebuttal to Atheist Who Question The Existence of GodBy CustomerTerry Eagleton is a sharp witted and well read author who has engaged in the God debate with fellow Oxford alums Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. Dawkins and Hitchens have called into question the existence of God and the intellectual capabilities of those who continue to believe. In the God Delusion referenced by Eagleton (I have not read the Hitchens book he references); Dawkins theorizes that belief in God and religion is a relic of a by gone era; an era that we as humans started moving away from during the Enlightenment; when science began to lead the way to understanding the world around us. As convincing as Dawkins was; it is just as clear that Eagleton is on the right track when he says that religion; for lack of a better word still is very much in play in the lives of many humans and should not be dismissed so lightly. While science can explain what we see and to some extent how the world works; it does not have the ability to explain how we feel about the world around us; how we determine what is right and wrong; good and bad; beautiful and ugly. The framework that Eagleton uses to discuss these differences is religion but it just as easily be called something else. Dawkins points out that religion is responsible for much of the world's misery and that once we accept science and the provable we as humans will be mcuh better off rather than relying on the myth making structure of religion. Science allows for discussion of what is and invites others to question our assertions. Religion on the other hand hinders inquiry; evidenced by the fact that at least in American society one simply does not question another's religious beliefs. Thus; those beliefs continue to fester in the human psyche generation after generation. Eagleton acknowledges that relgion has been responsible for a good deal of what has gone wrong in human history. However; he cleverly points out that science has its share of catastrophes as well. Eagleton glibly retorts that he will see religion's holocaust and call science's nuclear and chemical warfare. Thus; even if one is inclined toward atheism; Eagleton makes it clear that there is still a lot to answer for as far as how humans feel about the world. This is something that science simply can not answer. It leaves open the possibility of the necessity of a partnership between science and religion if we are really to get things right. As usual; one is left with more questions than answers after reading this book. However; thanks to the discussion in my book group; I have better appreciation of Eagleton's positon.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Not run-of-the-millBy victoriaJust a brief review here. Most of the reviewers who rate the book with only one star have an ax to grind; as far as I can tell. Simply reading the review excerpts provided by the publisher will give the potential reader enough information to know that; at the very least; this is a well written and interesting book. If you don't agree with the author; that's something different. If you want a view about anti-theists Dawkins and Hitchins; this is a higher-level and different-than-average approach. Most critiques of the two come from Christians; often evangelistic/protestant. Here you get a view that is from a Catholic influenced Marxist. So sit back with an Irish coffee--and dictionary if your vocabulary is rusty--and enjoy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. One of my best books!By CustomerOne of the best books; I have ever read! Terry Eagleton's prose has a pleasantly addictive charm to it! His comprehensive analytic approach is amazingly gripping!
