Origins of the Second World War by A.J.P. Taylor
From influential British historian A.J.P. Taylor, a reprint of his influential text The Origins of the Second World War. Controversial for his thesis that Hitler was an opportunist with no thorough plan, The Origins of the Second World War is an extensive exploration of the international politics and foreign policy that lead up to the one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.
Published in 1961, The Origins of the Second World War is a classic of modern history. A.J.P. Taylor's years of research helped change the long-accepted view that Adolf Hitler had wanted and planned in detail for a war. With clear and relatable prose, Taylor depicts the diplomatic mistakes from both the Allied and Axis powers that lead to the outbreak of World War II.
This groundbreaking work examines the complex international relations and foreign policy decisions of the 1930s that culminated in global conflict. Taylor's controversial thesis challenges traditional interpretations, arguing that Hitler acted as an opportunist rather than following a predetermined master plan for war. The book analyzes diplomatic failures, miscalculations, and the pre-war era's political landscape across Europe.
A seminal text in historical scholarship, The Origins of the Second World War "is an almost faultless masterpiece, perfectly proportioned, perfectly controlled" (The Observer). This classic reprint continues to influence modern historical analysis and remains essential reading for understanding 20th century European history and the causes of World War II.
