The Story of World War II

By: Donald L. Miller, Henry Steele Commager

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Drawing on previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, prizewinning historian Donald L. Miller has written what critics are calling one of the most powerful accounts of warfare ever published. Here are the horror and heroism of World War II in the words of the men who fought it, the journalists who covered it, and the civilians who were caught in its fury. Miller gives us an up-close, deeply personal view of a war that was more savagely fought - and whose outcome was in greater doubt - than one might imagine. This is the war that Americans on the home front would have read about had they had access to the previously censored testimony of the soldiers on which Miller builds his gripping narrative.

Miller covers the entire war - on land, at sea, and in the air - and provides new coverage of the brutal island fighting in the Pacific, the bomber war over Europe, the liberation of the death camps, and the contributions of African Americans and other minorities. He concludes with a suspenseful, never-before-told story of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, based on interviews with the men who flew the mission that ended the war.

Donald L. Miller is the John Henry MacCracken Professor of History at Lafayette College. He is a creator and associate producer of the HBO documentary He Has Seen War and has been chief consultant for numerous award-winning PBS productions. He is author of the prizewinning City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America.

©1945 Henry Steele Commager; renewed by Lou Reda Productions and Mary Steele Commager. Revisions; and introduction 2001 by Donald L. Miller (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is the book that deserves to be titled The Story of World War II...." (James Bradley, New York Times best-selling author)

"A major publishing event. Donald Miller’s additions to the original account are outstanding, and the total effect is one few readers will ever forget." (David McCullough, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author)

"Whenever you do a film, there’s always a book that you want in your hip pocket to settle all questions. The Story of World War II was that book." (Ken Burns, creator of the seven-part documentary The War)

Best W W 2 book I have ever read !

I loved the book it was very interesting and informative as well as put together very logistical

Overall very good, but...

What did you love best about The Story of World War II?

Great overview of WWII

What did you like best about this story?

The personal accounts included.

Any additional comments?

Never in my entire life have I EVER heard it pronounced "ta-RAW-wa". Its always been
"TARE-ah-wah". Admittedly a very minor point but I found it very grating to hear. Beyond that I rather liked the narrator.

An amazing view

Wow. This was truthfully a riveting telling of the history of the Second World War. An emotional experience including testimonial from Japanese, German, and allied soldiers. One can not fathom the depths of human horror without an intimate knowledge of history.

An excellent historical road map of WW II

This history does an excellent job balancing the details and generalities of WW II, including the often forgotten Burma theater (though in this I was still hoping for more). The narrator is sometimes a bit dry, but overall very good. The coverage here should spark curiosity for detail into more specific events.

Excellent. Really enjoyed the Pacific Theater

The coverage of the Pacific Theater was really good. learned a lot I never knew before.

Required reading

So glad I chose this book, recommending it to all of my friends.
Enjoyed the personal narratives from the real people who were in the war. Well put together.

Great book!

Great book, the recounts of events, personal experiences and the patriotism of those who fought were an encouragement.

excellent in every way

this can easily be your first book on the war or a fantastic addition to a collection it's a half historical half eye witness account it has easily become one of my favorites it reminds me very much of the Ken Burns documentary The War I really enjoyed hearing the diary entries from all factions I highly recommend it

Good Stuff to help the cause of peace and non-violence!

Loads of first hand accounts and stories of what happened to actual people during this terrible time in human history. Some parts of the conflict were clearly skimmed but it is a huge war and a book can only be so big.

If I had to pick one WWII book, it would be this

It was numerous short stories but written so well the book flowed effortlessly and didn't seem choppy at all.
The story would shift back and forth from European theater to the Pacific and vice versa.
Many of the stories were very interesting and unique.
It is a very long book but enjoyed listening to every minute.