World War II, the Tragedy of a Century

The Second World War was the most gigantic military conflict of all time, both in terms of the harshness of the fighting endured by the soldiers involved, and the malicious consequences for civilian populations and the devastating effects on homes and the organisation of territories. It shook states to their foundations and shaped the world as we know it today — and, it seems, for a long time to come.
On 3 September 1939, war broke out between France and Germany before gradually becoming a world war, finally ending on 2 September 1945. Why? Where? How? What had happened before? How did it unfold? What would happen next? What long-term repercussions would follow? This work provides answers to all these questions about a war that the French too often believe they already understand. It sets out to explain and comment on the "true history of the War" — its geography, military events, political aspects, ideologies, human behaviour, and more. Understanding the causes, course, and consequences of World War Two requires studying a century of facts and tragedies. The approach to the major conflict of the twentieth century is both national and international. Ranked among the "CAC 40 of wars of all Humanity", the Second World War, still very much present in collective memory, remains an unavoidable and ever-relevant subject.
Thanks to the density of information provided, the wealth of figures cited, and the pertinence of the analyses presented — complemented by previously unpublished revelations and thematic reflections — this historical synthesis and work of remembrance offers a unique contribution to History and conveys a message of Memory. 150 subjects are methodically developed, and more than 1,500 informative or summary fact sheets are included. Both documented and educational, this reference work — atypical and richly composed of reading notes — is aimed at the informed reader as well as the general public, young people, and any citizen wishing to deepen their knowledge of this pivotal period in the history of France and the world.