Time-Life World War II In 500 Photographs

By: Time Life Books
Publisher: Jim Childs, Time Home Entertainment
Publishing Date: May 2014
ISBN: 978-1-60320-993-9
Reviewed by: Mary Lignor
Review Date: May 9, 2014

World War II In 500 Photographs is the second book being released by Time-Life this month (see our inspirational section for a review of Everything You Need To Know About the Bible). These books were popular in the 1960s and it's a great treat to have them brought back for both today's younger generation and those of us who remember the old books.

In the 1930’s Germany was in a bad way. They, as with most of Europe, were going through a depression and they were looking for strong leadership to take them out of the mess brought about by the end of World War I. When the Nazi Party, run by Adolph Hitler, came into being, all bets were off. The party took over the German Parliament and Hitler became the Chancellor, which was a very high public office; they laughed at the German Constitution and killed anyone who objected. They also brought about the Nuremberg Laws that put restrictions on just about everyone except Aryans. After all this, on September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and the War began. This was the beginning of World War II even though America was a few years away from entering the fighting.

World War II In 500 Photographs is a marvelous book that will help readers see into the Greatest War in History, beginning in 1939 with Germany’s invasion of Poland up through 1945 when peace treaties were signed. Many lives were lost in combat, in the horrible concentration camps and so many beautiful cities were destroyed for the egos of a few people who wanted to rule the world. In this book readers will see key battles and events; meet the leaders of the war (friends and enemies) and see fabulous photographs of some of the greatest events and most horrible events that take place in a conflict like this. This book starts with the Nazi’s rise to power after World War I. It delves into the fact that the Japanese didn’t like us all that much either and attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, crippling the Pacific Fleet and bringing the US into World War II. The photos in this book are unbelievable and were captured by photographers who were running around the battle ground snapping pictures, carrying a camera and pen instead of a gun and doing their jobs perfectly. Each picture in this book has a story behind it, a story not to be missed. This is a marvelous educational book that will help the young people of today understand loyalty to their country.

Quill says: Take some time to look through this book and look at it often, you won’t be disappointed.