The Second World War

Pre-order the story of the Second World War brought to life in full colour by renowned historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns. Spanning six years between 1939 and 1945 and costing the lives of over 60 million people, the Second World War was the greatest conflict in human history. While 300 million people saw combat around the globe, total war left no human life unaffected and would change the world forever.

From the great cities of Europe to the jungles of Burma, and from to the deserts of North Africa to the remote islands of the South Pacific and the freezing waters of the Arctic, war touched every continent and ocean on the planet. And from the Blitzkrieg to the atom bomb, the fighting fuelled new technological development on land, at sea and in the air at a ferocious pace. Our future was forged by war.

Combining compelling personal stories with a clear and accessible appreciation of the strategic and operational battle for supremacy between the Allies and the Axis powers, bestselling historian James Holland weaves an irresistible narrative, while over 250 illustrations by acclaimed artist Keith Burns, commissioned specially for the project, bring events in The Second World War: An Illustrated History to life with stunning drama and dynamism. Over five years in the making, their groundbreaking collaboration has produced a unique and unforgettable account of the most extraordinary events the world has ever seen.