There are many stories of the Second World War, written by talented historians. So why yet another you say? First, because over time, new records are discovered or studied, which provide more information and that the authors who have access to these archives are finding new information there, as is the case of Antony Beevor. Secondly and most importantly, because each author has his personal genius. That of Antony Beevor is first to be a former British military. The strategy and tactics are his daily bread, errors and military genius ideas and political leaders of each side are analyzed in detail. But tell me again: Liddell Hart, the developer of indirect strategy, also was a soldier and his history of the Second World War already had that. True, but the vision of Beevor is wider theaters of operations he studies are broader. Her strategic knowledge are more recent. Above all, he is also very interested in the human and inhuman aspect of the war, the lives of civilians and soldiers in the terrible fate of prisoners in each camp and devotes a significant part of his work. So this is a book for both erudite scientific and human, very well written, with passion and sadness at the events he describes and connects. The book once again confirms the expertise of the Anglo-American historical school.