The Origins of the Second World War in Europe

PMH Bell's famous book is a comprehensive study of the period and debates surrounding the European origins of the Second World War. He approaches the subject from three different angles: describing the various explanations that have been offered for the war and the historiographical debates that have arisen from them, analysing the ideological, economic and strategic forces at work in Europe during the 1930s, and tracing the course of events from peace in 1932, via the initial outbreak of hostilities in 1939, through to the climactic German attack on the Soviet Union in 1941 which marked the descent into general conflict.

Written in a lucid, accessible style, this is an indispensable guide to the complex origins of the Second World War.

“"At last we have a good survey of Europe's route to World War II.”

P.M.H. Bell's study is a worthy sequel to its distinguished predecessor, James Joll's The Origins of the First World War. On the whole the accuracy, precision, and balance are outstanding. Bell's words are carefully chosen, and he has produced a remarkable synthesis, complete with concrete detail and intelligent but not excessive use of statistics. The resulting work is reliable and judicious, very erudite but never ponderous." "Sally Marks, American Historical Review" "Bell's new book transcends (A.J.P.) Taylor and can replace him. Bell has delved more thoroughly into the intricate problems they both treat. He handles the evidence more fairly, and is less sure that he knows all the answers." "M.R.D. Foot, Albion" "This is a vast topic, and all one can do, by way of brief review, is to commend the masterly equity, lucidity and inclusiveness of Philip Bell's survey of its bewildering complexities." "Martin Fagg, Times Educational Supplement" "lucid, balanced and sane" "Eric Summers, History Teaching Review"

PMH Bell is honorary senior fellow at Department of History, University of Liverpool.

PRAISE FOR EARLIER EDITIONS: "At last we have a good survey of Europe's route to World War II. P.M.H. Bell's study is a worthy sequel to its distinguished predecessor, James Joll's The Origins of the First World War. On the whole the accuracy, precision, and balance are outstanding. Bell's words are carefully chosen, and he has produced a remarkable synthesis, complete with concrete detail and intelligent but not excessive use of statistics. The resulting work is reliable and judicious, very erudite but never ponderous." Sally Marks, AMERICAN HISTORICAL REVIEW " Bell 's new book transcends (A.J.P.) Taylor and can replace him. Bell has delved more thoroughly into the intricate problems they both treat. He... handles the evidence more fairly, and is less sure that he knows all the answers." M.R.D. Foot, ALBION "This is a vast topic, and all one can do, by way of brief review, is to commend the masterly equity, lucidity and inclusiveness of Philip Bell's survey of its bewildering complexities." Martin Fagg, TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT "lucid, balanced and sane" Eric Summers, HISTORY TEACHING REVIEW PMH Bell's famous book is a comprehensive study of the period and debates surrounding the European origins of the Second World War. He approaches the subject from three different angles: describing the various explanations that have been offered for the war and the historiographical debates that have arisen from them, analysing the ideological, economic and strategic forces at work in Europe during the 1930s, and tracing the course of events from peace in 1932, via the initial outbreak of hostilities in 1939, through to the climactic German attack on the Soviet Union in 1941 which marked the descent into general conflict. The third edition of this now classic text includes the following new features: Up-to-date historiography Chronology of principal events Who's who guide to participants Photos, political cartoons and maps Written in a lucid, accessible style, the text is an indispensable guide to the complex origins of the Second World War. P.M.H. Bell is Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Liverpool. He is the author of France and Britain 1900-1940: Entente and Estrangement and France and Britain 1940-1994: The Long Separation.

PMH Bell's famous book is a comprehensive study of the period and debates surrounding the European origins of the Second World War. He approaches the subject from three different angles: describing the various explanations that have been offered for the war and the historiographical debates that have arisen from them, analysing the ideological, economic and strategic forces at work in Europe during the 1930s, and tracing the course of events from peace in 1932, via the initial outbreak of hostilities in 1939, through to the climactic German attack on the Soviet Union in 1941 which marked the descent into general conflict. Written in a lucid, accessible style, this is an indispensable guide to the complex origins of the Second World War.

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