[Great Battles for Boys 04] • Great Battles Volume II · Warld War II in Europe

This is the second book in the Great Battles Series that takes young boys directly to history's most significant fights.

Rather than dry lists of dates and events, Great Battles puts young readers "in the fight," showing them which weapons, strategies, and military leaders determined victory, or defeat. After reading the specific details about war--from boots and bayonets to bullets and bombs--readers will suddenly see history with fresh eyes and a renewed curiosity. And, without realizing it, they also learn vast amounts of geography and world history.

Great Battles Volume II opens with Hitler's rise to power in 1930s Germany. Readers then plunge into the invasion of Poland and how that fury unleashed World War II. Proceeding in chronological order through the most crucial battles of Europe and North Africa, the book covers many of the most significant battles, including the battles of Britain, Salerno, Stalingrad and the Normandy invasion. Yet the book also reveals some barely-known but important battles, such as the Winter War in Finland, when a tiny country forced a truce against the powerful might of Stalin's Soviet Union.

Each chapter also offers historic photographs and maps, an age-appropriate reading list, Internet resources such as hearing Winston Churchill's famous speeches, and movies that the whole family can watch.

Even the most reluctant readers will be captivated by learning history through weapons, warfare and strategy. Not only will they better understand history, they will realize exactly how war and its battles have shaped our world.

The perfect primer for creating a love of history, Great Battles stokes the fires of curiosity and understanding. It also underscores the truth that "Freedom isn't free."

“In Volume II of Great Battles, author Joe Giorello paints a vivid picture of events in WW II’s Pacific Theater in a way that will make readers forget they aren’t listening to first-hand accounts of the action! Combining his uniquely conversational style with myriad historical facts, plenty of interesting photos, and lots of fascinating, little known anecdotes, Joe takes readers “behind the scenes” and helps them to experience this vitally important chapter in our Nation’s history. From the dark days following Pearl Harbor to victory ratified aboard the USS Missouri, Giorello covers it all – and never fails to capture the incredible sacrifice, unbelievable courage, and selfless service of America’s bravest and finest. A great book with superb additional resources; I give it a “must read!”

The Reverend Charles F. Reynolds

Chief Warrant Officer 3, USMC, Ret.