World War II in a Nutshell

World War II in a Nutshell provides the reader with brief and concise information about the Second World War’s key conflicts. The book employs a chronological, month-by-month breakdown of events, elaborating on the most important battles during the month in which they occurred. Each chapter also contains a section titled “This Month’s Major War News,” pertaining to further encounters between the Allies and their Axis adversaries in Europe and Asia. Maps supplement many battle narratives to help better understand the global areas involved.

Multiple chapters provide information on the lengthier battles, such as the Battle of the Atlantic, which was the Second World War’s longest fight, commencing in September 1939 and only ending with Germany’s surrender in May 1945.

World War II in a Nutshell uses wartime terminology, including the names of cities and nations during the conflict, also providing the present-day names. Since the narrative is written from an American perspective, it begins with the United States’ involvement in December 1941. Appendices enumerate the major incidents from September 1939—the general acknowledgment of the start of World War II—through December 1941.