The Origins of World War Two: The Debate Continues - Brief Article - Book Review

Contemporary Review, Dec, 2003

The Origins of World War Two: The Debate Continues. Robert Boyce and Joseph A. Maiolo, editors. Palgrave Macmillan. [pounds sterling]49.50. 397 pages. ISBN 0-333-94526-3. As the editors point out, the effects of the Second World War, 'the most extensive and lethal war in history', remain with us and shape our world in a multitude of ways.

Historians still debate how and when the war began. This collection aims 'to provide an up-to-date and comparative textbook' on those origins. The text is divided into two parts. The first, devoted to 'The Responsibility of the Powers', has eleven chapters dealing with as many countries: Nazi Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Japan, Soviet Russia and its relation with Spain, France, Britain, the U.S., Poland, Czechoslovakia, China and an original look at the neutral countries (by Neville Wylie). The second part, which is devoted to 'themes', has eight chapters devoted to political science perspectives, ideology, economics, peace movements, armaments competition, intelligence, diplomacy and diplomatists and, finally, propaganda. The editors accept that this collection cannot end the debate but they rightly argue that it will stimulate it, answer certain questions and lay certain ghosts. The book should prove a valuable and concise survey for both undergraduates and those keeping up with the latest research. (G.E.W.)