This is the definitive visual history of the people, politics, and events of the Second World War - the epic conflict that shaped the modern world.

From the build-up up to the war, through to the reverberations still felt in the aftermath, this is a compelling, accessible, and immediate history of the war, perhaps the most complex, frightening, and destructive event in world history.

Discover how deep-seated local fears and hatreds escalated into one vast global conflict that was fought out to the bitter end. Find out about key battles, political and economic forces, individual leaders, and technological advances that influenced the course of the war. Timelines and global maps establish an overview of each year of the conflict, from the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party to Pearl Harbor, the D-Day landings, and Hiroshima.

Packed with images, including rarely seen colour photographs and unforgettable first-person accounts, World War II is a uniquely accessible account of history's most devastating conflict.