This book very much follows the philosophy of the late editor of the series, Howard Zinn. Favreau (editorial director, New Pr.) presents a thematic arrangement of previously published vignettes from authors such as John Dower, Studs Terkel, and Eric Hobsbawn. The results are not your typical overview of World War II. The pieces are picked to show different viewpoints of ordinary citizens, including the women who undertook factory jobs, African American soldiers from the Jim Crow South, a Japanese soldier facing the American military in the Pacific, interned Japanese Americans, residents of occupied Paris, and more. It's an absorbing and eclectic volume. VERDICT While possibly difficult to follow by those new to studying the war, the thematic arrangement makes it perfect for students, high school and up, and those with knowledge of the war looking for unexplored tidbits.—B.D.