EXPERIENCE OF WAR: The United States in World War II

by Kenneth S. Davis ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 2, 1965

The Book of the Month Club has signalized this addition to the Mainstream of America Series as its July choice. As the author points out in his Preface, this is an attempt at a ""literary history"" of the Second World War. Even though the book is focused on the American participation, it is very long. In spite of its length, it reads with the energy of a novel. The emphasis is on the guiding personalities of the time -- the political, military and diplomatic figures. Mr. Davis is particularly good at analyzing the motivation of these men and in outlining their alternatives. The War, as it was fought in all theaters, is brought forward battle by battle. These descriptions are graphic in the manner of an informed radio journalist giving an eyewitness report with solid background information and anecdote. A degree of suspense is achieved by this method and this is further enhanced by the interspersed history of the development of the atom bomb, which serves as a sort of sub-plot to the overall progress of the war. Mr. Davis' history benefits from the perspective that comes with the passage of time, the number of memoirs that have been published by the commanders, and the release of enemy records. The same audience that took up Shirer's massive Rise and Fall of the Third Reich will be the likely readers of this book, once again impelled by curiosity, the need to remember, the duty to try and understand. Maps. Index.

Pub Date: July 2, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION