Visions of Victory: The Hopes of Eight World War II Leaders
Weinberg'sWorld at Arms(1994) may be the best one-volume history of World War II, and that will prompt interest in the historian's assaying of the belligerents' war aims. Considering eight principal leaders, beginning with Hitler, Weinberg reviews the territorial arrangement each leader saw resulting from victory, and the intended destinies of the people brought under their country's power. Those permitted to survive the establishment of a Nazi empire would have no peace, as Hitler planned to keep them marching toward his next war against America. Japan, according to a "Land Disposal Plan" Weinberg cites, intended to seize Alaska, western Canada, and Washington State. On the Allied side, there was great discordance and not solely through inclusion in the alliance of Hitler's ex-ally Stalin. The author comments that his inspiration for undertaking this study was discovering that de Gaulle wanted to expand, not just restore, French colonies. Since imagined outcomes are essential to understanding WWII's actual result, Weinberg's experienced analysis is vital to the WWII collection.Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.