Click on cover image to purchase a copy
MWSA Review
Your assignment is to write a comprehensive history of World War II, including sufficient background information on the causes of the war and a post-war epilogue, in under 350 pages. Be sure to include sidebars with every chapter that highlight significant characters, equipment, and other important, relevant information to complement that chapter—go!
This was the challenging task undertaken by Andy Kutler, and he succeeded quite admirably. The Fight of Their Lives completely covers all aspects of the Second World War in all theaters, in comprehensive detail, and in an easily read manner.
Having authored articles on military history including World War II and constantly reading books and listening to podcasts on that war, I could not think of a single campaign, personality, key piece of equipment, or background information that the author missed.
The book concisely covers the economic and political causes of the war in both theaters, covers each theater in detail, and also covers the war from an American perspective “at home,” to include the contributions of women, African Americans, and the plight of Japanese American citizens interned during the war. The Manhattan Project, which yielded the world’s first atomic weapon, is also covered in that section. The final section of the book provides an insightful transition to the post war Cold War.
Clear and easy to understand maps are included throughout the book, and the content is thoroughly indexed. This book is a great asset to anyone wanting to understand the totality of the Second World War without having to read numerous voluminous tomes on individual theaters, campaigns, and biographies. It is ideal as a reference and is well suited as a textbook for homeschooling purposes.
Review by Terry Lloyd (February 2025)
Author's Synopsis
September 1939. To fuel his hate-filled quest for global supremacy and an eternal Third Reich, German dictator Adolf Hitler orders a blitzkrieg attack against Poland, a gateway into the East where prized lands and economic resources await. A sea of tanks and troops storm across the border, prompting Polish allies Britain and France to declare war on Nazi Germany. The conflict soon widens, consuming the European continent and beyond. In late 1941, Japanese forces strike American naval forces at Pearl Harbor, drawing the United States into a blistering Pacific brawl. For the second time in the 20th century, the world is at war, and the consequences will prove devastating, pushing humankind to the brink of utter catastrophe.
The Fight of Their Lives: A 21st-Century Primer on World War II, is a riveting account of the peril and resiliency that marked the darkest chapter in human history. From blood-soaked clashes across farm fields and jungle islands, to the code rooms and factory floors that powered the Allies to final victory, the fast-paced narrative fully documents the epic struggle that claimed up to sixty million lives. Styled to appeal to all audiences, The Fight of Their Lives is a timely read, from the legacies that remain supremely relevant today, to the lessons humanity cannot afford to learn again.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—History
Number of Pages: 357
Word Count: 104,000