Visions of victory : the hopes of eight World War II leaders

'Gerhard Weinberg is probably the world's leading expert on Hitler's foreign policy ... Visions of Victory is a beautifully written and wide-ranging synthesis of a large and burgeoning literature. It is based on deep knowledge and profound judgment. It is a masterpiece of historical writing that should be read by anyone interested in the origins of the world in which we live.' Financial Times 'It is an extraordinarily well-informed and well-crafted book which explains how great were the stakes of the Second World War, and how lastingly important was the achievement of the Allies in forcing 'unconditional surrender' by Germany and Japan.' The Times Literary Supplement "Since imagined outcomes are essential to understanding WWII's actual result, Weinberg's experienced analysis is vital to the WWII collection." Booklist "Based on his unrivalled knowledge of the war-time policies of the main belligerent leaders of World War II as well as on newly published material, Professor Weinberg has combined scholarship with imagination in reconstructing their individual visions of the post-war world. The result is a book, written for a wide circle of readers, that throws new light on unfinished debates about the chief winners and losers of a truly global war." Zara Steiner, Emeritus Fellow, New Hall, Cambridge University "Weinberg, the leading American scholar of World War II, presents a masterful overview of the postwar hopes and aspirations of the major leaders of history's greatest conflict. The scale of the fighting and the level of destruction made it impossible to wage that war for the purpose of restoring the status quo. Highlights among the eight leaders Weinberg profiles include Hitleras brutally dystopian visions, Stalinas aggressive imperialism, Charles de Gaulleas hopes of France restored to great-power status, and Winston Churchill's image of the British Empire as a force for peace and stability . Weinberg, however, credits Franklin D. Roosevelt with the most comprehensive, most generous vision of the postwar world. The US and the UN may not have succeeded entirely in implementing FDR's belief in international organization --but they came close enough to avert further comprehensive catastrophes. " Prof. Dennis Showalter, Colorado College "Visions of Victory is a beautifully written and wide- ranging synthesis of a large and burgeoning literature...It is a masterpiece of historical writing that should be read by anyone interested in the origins of the world in which we live." Financial Times, Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Oxford University "A look at the evolution and influence of the war aims of the leaders of the principal warring powers -- Hitler, Mussolini, Tojo, Chiang, Stalin, Churchill, de Gaulle, Roosevelt--and how close they came to realization. In a well-written book, Weinberg shows how each leader's personality and the culture and politics of his society helped shape his goals and his conduct of the war. Arguing, rather persuasively, that most of these leaders had essentially nineteenth century views of the world, Weinberg concludes perhaps not suprisingly, that the leader who came closest to achieving his goals was FDR...More surprisingly, he concludes that second place must be accorded to Chiang...A very important book for anyone interested in the World War II or the grand strategy of the twentieth century" - The NYMAS Review "[The Book] will provide readers with an excellent brief overview of the world of each of these leaders wished to create, and it is highly recommended for general as well as academic audiences." - Mark A. Stoler, University of Vermont, The Historian "Overall, scholars will find that Weinberg's treatment is fair and his research exhaustive. His chapter on Hitler is ultimately the strongest; it is a remarkable and concise exploration of Hitler's radical vision that did so much to nearly destroy the world. Finally, no scholar is more qualified than Weinberg to write this compelling, approachable, and highly original book." - Jeff Demers, Massachusetts School of Law Read more...