In this comprehensive history John Keegan explores both the technical & the human impact of the greatest war of all time. He focuses on five crucial battles & offers new insights into the distinctive methods & motivations of modern warfare. In knowledgable perceptive analysis of the airborne battle of Crete the carrier battle of Midway the tank battle of Falaise the city battle of Berlin & the amphibious battle of Okinawa Keegan illuminates the strategic dilemmas faced by the leaders & the consequences of their decisions on the fighting men & the course of the war as a whole.