World War II: A Visual Encyclopedia

Library Journal

Despite the book's esteemed editor and its slick, glossy format, this World War II encyclopedia fails to deliver an above-average level of scholarship and has limited research value. First published in 1999 in London, it still has an unbalanced British flavor. The book offers excellent, detailed narratives on weapons, especially aircraft and naval vessels, but biographies and entries on key battles and campaigns are inconsistent in length and detail, and several contain inaccuracies and errors of fact. The best entry is the superb "Prelude to War"; however, surprisingly, there are no entries for significant topics like the Gestapo, PT boats, or the Battle of Komandorski Islands in 1943. Entries are augmented by numerous maps and hundreds of photographs (color photos not seen). Public libraries should instead consider Anne Sharp Wells's two-volume The Historical Dictionary of World War II (LJ 11/15/99). Not recommended. Col. William D. Bushnell, USMC (ret.), Sebascodegan Island, ME Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.