Praise for "The War in the West"
The first of three volumes promising a revisionist approach to World War II. . . . Let the debates begin. "Library Journal"
Praise for James Holland:
Holland s "Dam Busters," thrilling, authoritative and containing astonishing photos, is a military history must read. It is also a shining tribute to those intrepid young airmen. "Tampa Bay Times," on "Dam Busters"
Holland is good at making complex matters clear. "Wall Street Journal," on "Dam Busters"
Ambitious and comprehensive. . . . [An] excellent book. "Telegraph" (UK), on "The Battle of Britain"
Informative, enthralling, and movingoften all three at once. It effectively combines narrative and analysis. . . . Genuinely brilliant. "Booklist" (starred review), on "The Battle of Britain"
Holland deftly interweaves the personal histories of pilots, soldiers, submariners, sailors, nurses, office clerks and other civilians. All are brought compellingly to life in a brisk, tightly constructed narrative that has the impetus of first-hand experience. "Guardian" (UK), on "Fortress Malta"
Holland tells the story brilliantly. . . . Vivid, intelligently, movingly, Holland s monumental chronicle tells it like it was. "Mail on Sunday" (UK), on "Together We Stand"
A gripping, yet compassionate account of the terrible war in Italy, with a memorable depiction of civilian suffering. Antony Beevor, on "Italy s Sorrow""
Advance Praise for "The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941: The War in the West, Volume 1"
A Military History Book Club Main Selection
James Holland is the best of the new generation of World War II historians. His epic new venture convincingly challenges many received ideas about the war and draws some exciting new conclusions. Sebastian Faulks
With this magnificent, hugely readable debut, James Holland s "The War in the West" is set fair to become one of the truly great multivolume histories of the Second World War. Andrew Roberts, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War" and "Napoleon: A Life"
This brilliant, lucid and intimate history is a game-changer, the Second World War will never seem the same again. Professor David Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor of the History of Science and Technology, King s College London
James Holland has produced a gripping multi-layered study of the War in West. It weaves together accounts from all levels of those caught up in the opening stages of the war and provides an accessible and captivating narrative. More importantly still it offers a challenging reappraisal that forces us to rethink our attitudes to the conduct of the most destructive and important war in history. Essential reading. John Buckley, Professor of War Studies, Wolverhampton University and author of "Monty s Men: The British Army and the Liberation of Europe"
In "The Rise of Germany," James Holland weds his typically deft writing to years of research and thought about the early years of World War II. He seeks and finds that elusive middle ground between the high politics of Hitler, Churchill, and Roosevelt and the personal experience of the soldier in the field. Holland writes on the operational level as well as any historian working today. I am already making room on my shelf for volumes two and three. I would read anything Holland writes. Robert M. Citino, author of "The German Way of War" and "The Wehrmacht Retreats"
A hugely engaging, scholarly, and ambitious book that strips away the myths surrounding the Second World War and uniquely tells the human stories, not just the political and military history. A must-read for anyone with an interest in this turbulent and transformative period. Tracy Borman, author of "Thomas Cromwell"
Holland s achievement here is presenting multiple perspectives based on extensive research in such a page-turner. This is as much a gripping drama played out on a huge stage with distinctive characters and rapidly unfolding action as it is a book on one of the most significant periods in all of world history. Thomas Clavin, co-author of "The Heart of Everything That Is"
This book stands apart and for all the right reasons: Holland has something new to say. Every page is alive with a level of excitement and enthusiasm. Here is a perspective that turns on its head what I thought I understood about those astonishing years filled with insight and detail. Neil Oliver
James Holland s "The Rise of Germany" takes a fresh look at the familiar and finds much food for thought turning several conventions on their heads in a compelling and revelatory way. Al Murray
Holland nimbly weaves the complex military, diplomatic, political, economic, and social patterns that marked the conflict on a global scale . . . [He] keeps the reader engaged by showing the major events through the eyes of the participants at the strategic level with politicians and generals, and at the tactical level with common soldiers and civilians . . . A worthy history that both general readers and WWII enthusiasts can enjoy. "Publishers Weekly"
Holland skillfully integrates the broad political, diplomatic, economic, and military narrative with stories of individuals, civilians, and soldiers from all the belligerents. "Library Journal"
A lively study. "Kirkus Reviews"
Impeccably researched and superbly written . . . [Holland] skewers a number of myths about the early years of the Second World War . . . Holland s fascinating saga offers a mixture of captivating new research and well-considered revisionism. The next two volumes should be unmissable. "Guardian"
Praise for James Holland:
Holland s "Dam Busters," thrilling, authoritative and containing astonishing photos, is a military history must read. It is also a shining tribute to those intrepid young airmen. "Tampa Bay Times," on "Dam Busters"
Holland is good at making complex matters clear. "Wall Street Journal," on "Dam Busters"
Ambitious and comprehensive. . . . [An] excellent book. "Telegraph" (UK), on "The Battle of Britain"
Informative, enthralling, and moving often all three at once. It effectively combines narrative and analysis. . . . Genuinely brilliant. "Booklist" (starred review), on "The Battle of Britain"
Holland deftly interweaves the personal histories of pilots, soldiers, submariners, sailors, nurses, office clerks and other civilians. All are brought compellingly to life in a brisk, tightly constructed narrative that has the impetus of first-hand experience. "Guardian" (UK), on "Fortress Malta"
Holland tells the story brilliantly. . . . Vivid, intelligently, movingly, Holland s monumental chronicle tells it like it was. "Mail on Sunday" (UK), on "Together We Stand"
A gripping, yet compassionate account of the terrible war in Italy, with a memorable depiction of civilian suffering. Antony Beevor, on "Italy s Sorrow" "
Praise for "The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941: The War in the West, Volume 1"
A Military History Book Club Main Selection
This is narrative history as intimate, intricate tapestry . . . Mr. Holland s success is built in part on an engaging writing style and in part on a genuinely fresh approach to events that have been so oftenand apparently definitivelyrecounted. This is at heart an operational narrative, but with a difference: Mr. Holland takes the time and space to enhance his recounting of troop and ship movements and clashes of arms with the stuff of wider humanity. He deftly interweaves the experiences of refugees, of civilians, of the warriors loved ones and of the political elites, while never distracting us with meaningless sentimentality or extraneous personal detail. This is harder to do than it looks. Mr. Holland s achievement is exceptional . . . [An] epic narrative. "Wall Street Journal"
A lively, unique and original study, shredding many misconceptions about Britain s situation, pre-war and in the early stages of the war . . . Unfailingly readable. "Omaha Dispatch"
James Holland is the best of the new generation of World War II historians. His epic new venture convincingly challenges many received ideas about the war and draws some exciting new conclusions. Sebastian Faulks
With this magnificent, hugely readable debut, James Holland s "The War in the West" is set fair to become one of the truly great multivolume histories of the Second World War. Andrew Roberts, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War" and "Napoleon: A Life"
This brilliant, lucid and intimate history is a game-changer, the Second World War will never seem the same again. Professor David Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor of the History of Science and Technology, King s College London
James Holland has produced a gripping multi-layered study of the War in West. It weaves together accounts from all levels of those caught up in the opening stages of the war and provides an accessible and captivating narrative. More importantly still it offers a challenging reappraisal that forces us to rethink our attitudes to the conduct of the most destructive and important war in history. Essential reading. John Buckley, Professor of War Studies, Wolverhampton University and author of "Monty s Men: The British Army and the Liberation of Europe"
In "The Rise of Germany," James Holland weds his typically deft writing to years of research and thought about the early years of World War II. He seeksand findsthat elusive middle ground between the high politics of Hitler, Churchill, and Roosevelt and the personal experience of the soldier in the field. Holland writes on the operational level as well as any historian working today. I am already making room on my shelf for volumes two and three. I would read anything Holland writes. Robert M. Citino, author of "The German Way of War" and "The Wehrmacht Retreats"
A hugely engaging, scholarly, and ambitious book that strips away the myths surrounding the Second World War anduniquelytells the human stories, not just the political and military history. A must-read for anyone with an interest in this turbulent and transformative period. Tracy Borman, author of "Thomas Cromwell"
Holland s achievement here is presenting multiple perspectives based on extensive research in such a page-turner. This is as much a gripping drama played out on a huge stage with distinctive characters and rapidly unfolding action as it is a book on one of the most significant periods in all of world history. Thomas Clavin, co-author of "The Heart of Everything That Is"
This book stands apart and for all the right reasons: Holland has something new to say. Every page is alive with a level of excitement and enthusiasm. Here is a perspective that turns on its head what I thought I understood about those astonishing yearsfilled with insight and detail. Neil Oliver
James Holland s "The Rise of Germany" takes a fresh look at the familiar and finds much food for thoughtturning several conventions on their heads in a compelling and revelatory way. Al Murray
Holland nimbly weaves the complex military, diplomatic, political, economic, and social patterns that marked the conflict on a global scale . . . [He] keeps the reader engaged by showing the major events through the eyes of the participantsat the strategic level with politicians and generals, and at the tactical level with common soldiers and civilians . . . A worthy history that both general readers and WWII enthusiasts can enjoy. "Publishers Weekly"
Holland skillfully integrates the broad political, diplomatic, economic, and military narrative with stories of individuals, civilians, and soldiers from all the belligerents. "Library Journal"
A lively study. "Kirkus Reviews"
Impeccably researched and superbly written . . . [Holland] skewers a number of myths about the early years of the Second World War . . . Holland s fascinating saga offers a mixture of captivating new research and well-considered revisionism. The next two volumes should be unmissable. "Guardian"
Fascinating. "Daily Mail" (UK)"
Praise for The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941: The War in the West, Volume 1 A Military History Book Club Main Selection "This is narrative history as intimate, intricate tapestry . . . Mr. Holland's success is built in part on an engaging writing style and in part on a genuinely fresh approach to events that have been so often--and apparently definitively--recounted. This is at heart an operational narrative, but with a difference: Mr. Holland takes the time and space to enhance his recounting of troop and ship movements and clashes of arms with the stuff of wider humanity. He deftly interweaves the experiences of refugees, of civilians, of the warriors' loved ones and of the political elites, while never distracting us with meaningless sentimentality or extraneous personal detail. This is harder to do than it looks. Mr. Holland's achievement is exceptional . . . [An] epic narrative."
--Wall Street Journal "A lively, unique and original study, shredding many misconceptions about Britain's situation, pre-war and in the early stages of the war . . . Unfailingly readable."
--Omaha Dispatch "James Holland is the best of the new generation of World War II historians. His epic new venture convincingly challenges many received ideas about the war and draws some exciting new conclusions."
--Sebastian Faulks "With this magnificent, hugely readable debut, James Holland's
The War in the West is set fair to become one of the truly great multivolume histories of the Second World War."
--Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War and Napoleon: A Life "This brilliant, lucid and intimate history is a game-changer, the Second World War will never seem the same again."
--Professor David Edgerton, Hans Rausing Professor of the History of Science and Technology, King's College London "James Holland has produced a gripping multi-layered study of the War in West. It weaves together accounts from all levels of those caught up in the opening stages of the war and provides an accessible and captivating narrative. More importantly still it offers a challenging reappraisal that forces us to rethink our attitudes to the conduct of the most destructive and important war in history. Essential reading."
--John Buckley, Professor of War Studies, Wolverhampton University and author of Monty's Men: The British Army and the Liberation of Europe "In
The Rise of Germany, James Holland weds his typically deft writing to years of research and thought about the early years of World War II. He seeks--and finds--that elusive middle ground between the high politics of Hitler, Churchill, and Roosevelt and the personal experience of the soldier in the field. Holland writes on the operational level as well as any historian working today. I am already making room on my shelf for volumes two and three. I would read anything Holland writes."
--Robert M. Citino, author of The German Way of War and The Wehrmacht Retreats "A hugely engaging, scholarly, and ambitious book that strips away the myths surrou...
For seven decades, our understanding of World War II has been shaped by a standard narrative built on conventional wisdom, propaganda, the dramatic but narrow experiences of soldiers on the ground, and an early generation of historians. For his new history, James Holland has spent over twelve years unearthing new research, recording original testimony, and visiting battlefields and archives that have never before been so accessible. InThe Rise of Germany, the first of a major new three-part history of World War II in the West, he weaves together the experiences of dozens of individuals, from civilians and infantrymen, to line officers, military strategists, diplomats, and heads of state, as well as war strategy, tactics, and the economic, political, and social aspects of the war to create a captivating book that redefines and enhances our understanding of one of the most significant conflicts in history. Beginning with the lead-up to the outbreak of war in 1939 and ending in 1941 on the eve of Operation Barbarossa, the Nazi invasion of Russia,The Rise of Germany is a masterful history of the war on land, in the air, and at sea, destined to generate significant scholarly debate and reader interest.