The history of World War II

This is a much longer more comprehensive book than Keegan's or Gilbert's books on the whole war. Very readable, interesting, detailed. Has color maps and photographs along with others in black and white. Reading the book is like listening to a discussion of various competing interpretations of facts and explanations. It's very informative. This book is far more extensive than any other one volume treatment of the war available. If you want one big book on World War II, this is far and away the most complete one out there. Covers events leading up to the war, has long chapters which are both historical (cover a period of time) and thematic (address one facet of the whole war).