1945: Victory in the West

Peter Caddick-Adams cements his place as one of our foremost historians of the Second World War with this major new account of the final months of the war in the West. Superbly written and full of wisdom and deep understanding, this will stand as a defining work on these darkest months of the conflict. – James HollandMagisterial … Peter Caddick-Adams has done full justice to the vast range of the fighting in the west in those last months of the war , in all its complexity, brutality, awfulness and, frankly, pointlessness … [he] not only covers these events in detail but also does so with genuinely new and convincing perspectives … Caddick-Adams [has] an authority that oozes off every page. He has a particularly enjoyable habit of suddenly ducking down rabbit holes of anecdote, often personal or which delve into deeper history . . . [a] fine, balanced and superb account. It deserves to be read for many years to come. – James Holland * The Telegraph *Caddick-Adams includes vivid anecdotes, small-unit fireworks, and strong, well-informed personal opinions on the often unwise decisions of the leaders … A first rate analysis for military buffs. * Kirkus Reviews *Excellent. Most accounts of the Second World War in Europe devote only a few pages to the last 100 days. 1945 corrects this balance and makes an important contribution to military history. It is also a great read and powerful reminder of how the Second World War in Europe was definitely not over until the final surrender. * BBC History Extra Magazine *

This is the most vivid and detailed narrative of the subject that we are likely to see.

Peter Caddick-Adams is a writer and broadcaster who specialises in military history, defence and security issues. He previously lectured in Military and Security Studies at the UK Defence Academy for twenty years, and in Air Power for the Royal Air Force. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society, he also spent thirty-five years as an officer in the UK Regular and Reserve Forces, and has extensive experience of various war zones, including the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. His previous works include Monty and Rommel: Parallel Lives (2011), Monte Cassino: Ten Armies in Hell (2012), Snow and Steel: Battle of the Bulge 1944-5 (2014) and Sand and Steel: A New History of D-Day (2019).

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