This book, first published in 1989, combines the broad themes of diplomatic, political and military events with the human dimensions to form a major global analysis of the second world war. It also explains the difficulties encountered by the European powers in mobilising their colonies, and examines the economic and social reorganisation of the belligerents. It shows the impact of the collaboration of occupied peoples with the axis powers, and discusses in detail the resistance movements and the Holocaust. The book also looks at advances in science and technology, the application of social sciences to war, the intelligence services, and the arts.