Review

"Compelling." —Library Journal

"What sets Richard Holmes apart is the sheer quality of his writing and his empathy with his subjects." —Independent

"The World at War was one of the greatest television series of all time. It demonstrated the potential power of history on television and inspired a generation. It is tremendously exciting that the complete interviews with the participants . . . are now published here for the first time. Most of the people who were interviewed for the series are now dead, but their vital history—thanks to this book—still lives." —Laurence Rees, author, Auschwitz

"A treasure trove of eyewitness accounts." —BBC History Magazine

"Holmes has a sharp, knowing eye for anecdote and detail." —Mail on Sunday

Product Description

The World at War is the definitive television work on the Second World War. It set out to tell the story of the war through the testimony of key participants - from civilians to ordinary soldiers, from statesmen to generals. First broadcast in 1973, the result was a unique and irreplaceable record since many of the eyewitnesses captured on film did not have long to live. The programme's producers committed hundreds of interview-hours to tape in its creation, but only a fraction of that material made it to the final cut. For more than 30 years the interviews have never been allowed to be published - until now. Highly respected historian and bestselling author Richard Holmes has skilfully woven this valuable original material into a compelling narrative, creating a truly phenomenal oral history of the Second World War.