A Telegraph History Book of the Year, 2023An astonishing achievement ANTONY BEEVORA remarkably moving and humane book WILLIAM BOYDAn intimate history of the most important month of the Second World War as experienced by those who lived through it, completely based on their diaries, letters and memoirs.At the beginning of November 1942, it looked as if the Axis powers could win the war at the end of that month, it was obviously just a matter of time before they would lose.In between came elAlamein, Guadalcanal, the French North Africa landings, the Japanese retreat in New Guinea, and the Soviet encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. In this innovatively kaleidoscopic and riveting historical marvel, Peter Englund reduces these epochmaking events to their basic component the individual experience.In thirty memorable days we meet characters including a Soviet infantryman at Stalingrad an Italian truck driver in the North African desert a partisan in the Belarussian forests a machine gunner in a British bomber a twelveyearold girl in Shanghai a university student in Paris a housewife on Long Island a prisoner in Treblinka Albert Camus, Vasily Grossman, and Vera Brittain. We also witness the launch of SS James Oglethorpe the fate of U604, a German submarine the building of the first nuclear reactor and the making of Casablanca.Extraordinary ... an original panorama of humankinds most destructive war New York TimesSuperb ... a stimulating read New StatesmanNot since...

Binding: Paperback;496 pages; Publisher: TBS-Penguin Random House Wholesale; Classification: HB; Weight: 490 g; Dimensions: 197 x 129 x 33

Something not quite right? You have 21 days from the day you receive it, to send something back.

Please note, we cannot offer refunds on fashion face masks, cosmetics, pierced jewellery, adult toys, and swimwear or lingerie if the hygiene seal is not in place or has been broken.

Items of footwear and/or clothing must be unworn and unwashed with the original labels attached. Also, footwear must be tried on indoors. Items of homeware including bedlinen, mattresses, and toppers, and pillows must be unused and in their original unopened packaging. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Click here to view our full Returns Policy.