From pre-eminent historian Michael Burleigh comes a brilliant new examination of the Second World War and a magisterial counterpart to his award-winning and bestselling THE THIRD REICH. Literature on the Second World War is voluminous. In Moral Combat, however, Michael Burleigh achieves what few historians can claim to have done; by exploring the moral sentiment of entire societies and their leaders, and how this changed under the impact of total war, he presents readers with an entirely fresh perspective of this conflict. Opening with the 'predators' - Mussolini, Hitler, Prince Hirohito of Japan - and moving onto appeasement (a popular policy or a 'wrong' policy?), the rape of Poland, Barbarossa, the role of Churchill, and the Holocaust, Burleigh analyses the moral dimension of the Second World War's most important moments. More than merely a history of 'great men', however, Burleigh also examines the moral reasoning of individuals who had to make choices under circumstances difficult to imagine. Stressing the maxim that the past is used to make sense of the present world we live in, he takes us right up to today's war on terror - a war of competing ideas. What, in the end, will constitute its victory? Burleigh's fascinating and deeply engaging exploration refuses to draw lessons from the past for the future, remaining instead firmly focused on the on-the-spot decisions that came to define the conflict. Original, perceptive and remarkable in scope, this is an unforgettable and hugely important Second World War history.

From pre-eminent historian Michael Burleigh comes a brilliant new examination of the Second World War and a magisterial counterpart to his award-winning and bestselling THE THIRD REICH. Literature on the Second World War is voluminous. In Moral Combat, however, Michael Burleigh achieves what few historians can claim to have done; by exploring the moral sentiment of entire societies and their leaders, and how this changed under the impact of total war, he presents readers with an entirely fresh perspective of this conflict. Opening with the 'predators' - Mussolini, Hitler, Prince Hirohito of Japan - and moving onto appeasement (a popular policy or a 'wrong' policy?), the rape of Poland, Barbarossa, the role of Churchill, and the Holocaust, Burleigh analyses the moral dimension of the Second World War's most important moments. More than merely a history of 'great men', however, Burleigh also examines the moral reasoning of individuals who had to make choices under circumstances difficult to imagine. Stressing the maxim that the past is used to make sense of the present world we live in, he takes us right up to today's war on terror - a war of competing ideas. What, in the end, will constitute its victory? Burleigh's fascinating and deeply engaging exploration refuses to draw lessons from the past for the future, remaining instead firmly focused on the on-the-spot decisions that came to define the conflict. Original, perceptive and remarkable in scope, this is an unforgettable and hugely important Second World War history.

By:   Michael Burleigh
Imprint:   HarperPress
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 240mm,  Width: 159mm
Weight:   1.044kg
ISBN:  

9780007195763

ISBN 10:   0007195761
Pages:   672
Publication Date:   April 2010
Audience:   General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Awaiting stock  
Our supplier is currently out of stock. You can order it and we will ship it to you upon arrival.

Michael Burleigh is Distinguished Research Professor in Modern History at Cardiff University. He is the author of nine well-received books, including 'Earthly Powers', 'Sacred Causes' and 'The Third Reich', for which he was awarded the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2001.

Praise for 'Blood and Rage': 'A brilliant book I would urge you all to read.' David Cameron 'Required reading.' Peter Clarke, Assistant Commissioner for Anti-Terrorism, Metropolitan Police 'An important book.' Lord Guthrie, Former Chief of the Defence Staff 'Takes everybody from Fenians and anarchists to the Red Brigades and al-Qaeda, and is written with characteristically biting flair.' Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year) 'Typically excellent!There are few better writers at work today.' Sunday Times (Books of the Year) 'Burleigh's evident ability to assimilate and communicate incisively!a highly intelligent and comprehensive survey of recent terrorism.' Observer 'Burleigh has entered the fray with a more magisterial tome, broad in scope, powerful in argument and brimming with healthy rage. Uncompromising!a riveting book.' Scotsman 'An outstanding book.' Daily Telegraph 'Highly recommended.' Sunday Telegraph 'Magisterial ... broad in scope, powerful in its argument and brimming with healthy rage.' Evening Standard Praise for THE THIRD REICH: 'This is writing of the highest order!one can barely envisage a contemporary work of history more lucid, more penetrating or painted onto a broader canvas.' Financial Times 'Astonishing and awe-inspiring!a breathtaking achievement, at once broader and deeper than any other single volume ever published on the subject!it is the product of authentic historical genius.' Niall Ferguson, Sunday Times 'This is a monumental book, a tour de force.' Richard Overy, Sunday Telegraph 'Burleigh calls his work a new history and for once that claim is fully justified. An original work in which narrative history, rigorous analytic explanation and unblinking intellectual moral judgement are united with compelling originality.' Michael Andre Bernstein, Los Angeles Times 'Michael Burleigh has produced a modern classic!this book is a masterwork.' Washington Times 'His narrative is eminently accessible, the formidable learning lightly worn, the canvas immense!unpretentious and humane.' TLS

'Michael Burleigh has long been one of our foremost writers on the importance of ethics in history, and in this deeply researched, closely argued and well-written analysis of the moral issues thrown up by the Second World War he has reached the zenith of his career.! Burleigh takes strong stances on almost every controversy of the war!This book is full of poignant nuggets of information!but easily its greatest strength lies in the wise, civilised but unshakeable moral certainty of its author.' Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph 'Burleigh's book is infinitely better than the usual tiresome trudge through the battlefields of North Africa or rose-tinted retrospective of the Battle of Britain. More than any book I have read on the war, it confronts us with the ethical questions millions of people faced in their daily lives! Perhaps the most impressive thing about Burleigh's book is that, unlike so many historians, he has a refreshingly realistic, clear-eyed view of human nature.!One of the strengths of Burleigh's analysis, however, is that while he is well aware of allied atrocities, he never loses sight of the basic moral difference between the warring parties.! Although Burleigh leaves us in no doubt that the Second World War was a just conflict, he simultaneously leaves us under no illusions about the horrors of modern warfare. This is a book in which heroism is inevitably flawed and tempered; in which the choice is always between two evils.!if we are to avoid repeating such horrors in our own lifetimes, then, as Burleigh's outstanding book reminds us, some things should never be forgotten.' Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times 'Magnificent!a work of erudition, vast practical knowledge and abundant common sense, beautifully and wittily written, and packed with insight. Even if one has read hundreds of books on the war, one finds Burleigh in this work fulfilling gaps in understanding that in retrospect appear vast!No-one with an interest in the Second World War should be without this book!In a field packed with competitors, Burleigh has written one of the great books on this compelling and endlessly pervasive subject' Daily Telegraph 'Magisterial!a truly elegant and thought-provoking work!It is a beautifully written commentary on the ugliest aspect of our humanity: intra-species violence' Literary Review 'No arid re-run of debates! Moral Combat deals with morality as something inseparable from life.! Burleigh is a master of significant detail unearthed in microscopic research.! As always the colour and power of Burleigh's prose is outstanding. When it comes to evoking the smell of a place he is far and away our best history writer.! the bloodiest and most wrenching account of the war I can recall.' George Walden, Observer 'Powerful and timely!This is one of the most important books on the Second World War to be published in recent years' Evening Standard 'Burleigh is one of the most acclaimed historians of his generation!his prose is limpid and elegant!he carries his learning lightly!telling vivid stories retrieved from obscure academic articles!Burleigh has an acute eye for telling detail !.this is outstanding history!Burleigh's tone is humane and thoughtful throughout' New Statesman Praise for 'Blood and Rage': 'A brilliant book I would urge you all to read.' David Cameron 'Required reading.' Peter Clarke, Assistant Commissioner for Anti-Terrorism, Metropolitan Police 'An important book.' Lord Guthrie, Former Chief of the Defence Staff 'Takes everybody from Fenians and anarchists to the Red Brigades and al-Qaeda, and is written with characteristically biting flair.' Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year) 'Typically excellent!There are few better writers at work today.' Sunday Times (Books of the Year) 'Burleigh's evident ability to assimilate and communicate incisively!a highly intelligent and comprehensive survey of recent terrorism.' Observer 'An outstanding book.' Daily Telegraph 'Highly recommended.' Sunday Telegraph 'Magisterial ... broad in scope, powerful in its argument and brimming with healthy rage.' Evening Standard Praise for THE THIRD REICH: 'This is writing of the highest order!one can barely envisage a contemporary work of history more lucid, more penetrating or painted onto a broader canvas.' Financial Times 'Astonishing and awe-inspiring!a breathtaking achievement, at once broader and deeper than any other single volume ever published on the subject!it is the product of authentic historical genius.' Niall Ferguson, Sunday Times 'This is a monumental book, a tour de force.' Richard Overy, Sunday Telegraph 'Burleigh calls his work a new history and for once that claim is fully justified. An original work in which narrative history, rigorous analytic explanation and unblinking intellectual moral judgement are united with compelling originality.' Michael Andre Bernstein, Los Angeles Times 'Michael Burleigh has produced a modern classic!this book is a masterwork.' Washington Times 'His narrative is eminently accessible, the formidable learning lightly worn, the canvas immense!unpretentious and humane.' TLS