Cover of The Origins of the Second World War

The Origins of the Second World War

by A.J.P. Taylor · 1961

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One of the most popular and controversial historians of the twentieth century, who made his subject accessible to millions, A.J.P. Taylor caused a storm of outrage with this scandalous bestseller. Debunking what were accepted truths about the Second World War, he argued provocatively that Hitler did not set out to cause the war as part of an evil master plan, but blundered into it partly by accident, aided by the shortcomings of others. Fiercely attacked for vindicating Hitler, A.J.P. Taylor's stringent re-examination of the events preceding the Nazi invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939 opened up new debate, and is now recognized as a brilliant and classic piece of scholarly research. 'Highly original and penetrating...No one who has digested this enthralling work will ever be able to look at the period again in quite the same way'

Subject
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of thispoliticspoliticsMore like thisLess of thisbiographybiographyMore like thisLess of this
Genre
war and militarywar and militaryMore like thisLess of thishistorical fictionhistorical fictionMore like thisLess of thisWorld War IIWorld War IIMore like thisLess of this
Themes
historyhistoryMore like thisLess of thismilitary historymilitary historyMore like thisLess of this
Setting
20th century20th centuryMore like thisLess of thisWorld War IIWorld War IIMore like thisLess of thisEuropeEuropeMore like thisLess of thisGermanyGermanyMore like thisLess of thisBritishBritishMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult
Length
medium · 368 pages

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