Delivered from Evil: The Saga of World War II

An extremely courageous undertaking...many detailed volumes have previously been written on World War II at the specific battle level that to imagine a one-volume account of the whole war which is not only useful but also readable seems initially to be a ridiculous proposition. Robert Leckie, however, pulls it off marvelously and earns his reputation as a "masterful historian" with this epic work.Starting at Versaille following the dreadful end of World War I and ending on the deck of the Missouri battleship for the formal Japanese surrender, this account (in over 900 pages of extremely small type) covers all the major details with surprising comprehensiveness while at the same time not sacrificing that important readability component. If one were to combine this book with the DVD issue of the classic WWII saga "The World at War", you'd get a beguiling experience of the events that continue to shape our world today.Leckie's experience at extolling just the right amount of battle detail while balancing the "human" side of the struggle is really masterful...each period of the War is told in easily read chapters and paragraphs and although at times episodic, makes this work one that can easily be started and stopped at short intervals.The post WWI German and Italian economies are the main impetus for the development of Fascism and Leckie develops this plot with wonderful biographies of Mussolini and Hitler...the rise of the Third Reich follows and Leckie explains this with deft political discussion as well as with many first-hand accounts from Generals down to the every-day Berliner. The English and French make little attempt at interdiction and Hitler is off on his dillusional nationalism...the invasion of Poland is just the start of the "empire building" that lasts for almost six more years.The Japanese rise and ultimate invasion of Pearl Harbor are integrated as well and the reader really gets a true feeling of the coming of war. Leckie's previously published works on the Southwest Pacific theatre are obviously used here and thus makes for enticing reading at the battles for Guadalcanal and the Phillipines...also, his depiction of MacArthur goes against the "standard" history and is a refreshing point in this story.The Allied invasion of Europe and the "island hopping" in the Pacific are discussed in full military detail (again, just the right amount) as are the many first hand soldier accounts of those battles that add depth and immediacy. The highlights of this work (in my opinion) are the fall of the Third Reich and the subsequent Hitler suicide; the American homefront and what it meant to a struggling American economy; the Normandy invasions and subsequent breakout and, finally, a completely comprehensive and disturbing summary of the Holocaust. Leckie adroitly mixes details with his amazing story-telling ability that leaves the reader with a pleasingly full knowledgable experience. This truly is THE text to start any study of WWII. The only

I've studied this war for many years and have read over 100 books on it - this is the best single volume out there. For the incredible scope, the detail it covers rival's Ambrose's works. This is and absolute must for any WWII buff.

Robert Leckie is one of the best authors of popular history writing today. He has written several history books that read almost like novels about various aspects of American history. This is, I believe, the first book he wrote that later evolved in that series of books. It includes detailed briefs on the major personalities in the War (F.D.R., Hitler, Rommel, Stalin, 'Viniger' Joe Stillwell, etc.) The accounts let you know how their lives were shaped, which leads to how they later shaped World War Two.Mr. Leckie later did the same things with his othe r historys. He is unashemedly American in his outlook, but not afraid to critize either. The title of this book "Delievered from Evil" should give that away. After all, the Nazi's were what we would call 'evil'. Leckie is not afraid to call it such either.All in all, a great book to have.

Leckie has the amazing ability to make 1000 pages seem like 100 by the time one has read them. His narrative of WWII is absolutely engrossing, weaving personal profiles, anecdotes, quotes and scholarly research into a coherent whole. "Delivered..." flows more fluidly than any other history book I have ever read. A must read for anyone interested in the 2nd World War.

This book was actually used as a text in a history course at UW-Madison, and one of my college buddies was dismayed at its length when he enrolled in it. I took a look at its thickness and sympathized. Later I began to develop a more than passing interest in World War II, to the point where I now consider myself an amateur historian in my own right. Part of this passion and obsession means I'm compelled to read dozens of histories. It wasn't long before I stumbled on Delivered From Evil, remembered it from my friend's college days, and purchased it. I was amazed, first of all, at how easily Leckie relates the deep strategies and motivations behind the events with a novelist's flair for storytelling and drama. Though this is a long book, it actually is very tightly written, as must be any text that focuses on the entire war (D-Day is given two small chapters, for example). Yet it is far from superficial. After reading it one feels that he has much more than a surface understanding of what happened and why. Leckie also (accurately) gives most of the credit for winning the war in Europe to the Russians, a point of view which all serious historians recognize, but one that is given short shrift in the West. The difficult to explain Pacific Campaign is also handled masterfully. There are other books that explain these events in greater detail, but few that make the deeper causes and consequences so accessible to the non-historian. A truly great book and one that must be read by even those with a casual interest in the topic.