Blood, Tears and Folly

Len Deighton's book provides an objective look at the early years of World War II, tracing the war's origins from pre-World War I power conflicts through the inter-war period to the start of hostilities in 1939.

It covers key phases including the Battle of the Atlantic, Blitzkrieg in Western Europe, Dunkirk, North African tank battles, the Battle of Britain, the invasion of Russia, and events leading to Pearl Harbor, highlighting British blunders and Winston Churchill's early decisions.