The Second World War left indelible marks on both the landscape and the people, not just of Britain and Germany, but the world. This book aims to put the well-known stories, memories and ruins of the war into context, and bring to life the events that led to these lasting changes. Find out how the war began, who fought and made key decisions throughout its duration, and how, after years of conflict, it finally came to an end. Uncover the story behind some of the war's crucial events – from the Battle of Midway and the attack on Pearl Harbor to the D-Day landings and the firebombing of Tokyo – and learn how these defining moments shaped the war. See the chronology of the war through evocative images, read detailed accounts and gain an insight into what it was like to live during the period with this compendium of the last world war.