1939-1945 The History of World War II in Pictures (Volume 1, Volume 2)

Author: Zhu Shaohua, Zhou Zhengshu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This is a battlefield sealed away for 60 years, where a deeply moving memory lies. Perhaps you have never seen the smoky haze, yet it can pierce through time and space to your eyes; perhaps you have never heard the thunderous roar of explosions, yet it can cross centuries to your soul; perhaps you have never experienced the brutality of the battle, yet it can seep into your body to your thoughts. This is World War II, which took place from 1939 to 1945, a war imposed upon humanity by fascists and brought profound. World War II was a great struggle between justice and evil. For the fascist countries of Germany, Italy, and Japan, which launched aggressive wars, it was a plunder of the world and a devastation of humanity; for the anti-fascist countries, it was a fight for survival and for peace. Stalin pointed out in his speech on February 9, 1946: "World War II against the Axis powers was different from the previous one; it was from the outset a war against fascism and a liberation war. One of its tasks was to restore democracy and freedom." Those who do not forget the past will not make mistakes in the future. World War II left humanity profound lessons. To preserve historical memory, we have compiled this series of books to help people think, explore, and seek solutions to a crucial issue in contemporary life—the war and peace.
During the writing process, the authors referred to a vast amount of primary sources and, through refining and filtering, ensured the works have strong historical value. It can take you back to those dark and turbulent times, allowing you to witness the ambitions of the world-conquering Hitler, the tyranny of the dictator Mussolini, and the ferocity of the war man Tojo Hideki. It can take you back to those passionate years, allowing you to appreciate the diplomacy of politicians, the courage of military strategists, and the unyielding bravery of soldiers. It can take you to the battlefield of blood and tears, allowing you to touch the emotions of parting and death, experience the tragedy of bodies strewn across the ground, feel the grief of ruined landscapes, and reflect on war and peace.
This series of books has distinct characteristics of its era. Set against the backdrop of the grand and tumultuous World War II, it examines the changes and shifts of the time, depicts the rise and fall, and narrates the joys and sorrows. It evaluates figures with clarity and fairness, and presents the development of events with both inevitable trajectories and elements of chance, meeting the contemporary readers' demand for objectivity and fairness. The series adopts a "white-wash" style for the panoramic view of World War II, making its origins and developments clear and understandable; while for important events and figures, it employs the technique of "fine brushwork," making them vivid and detailed. The content is both engaging and thought-provoking, complemented by numerous precious photographs, allowing readers to understand history, gain knowledge, enrich emotions, and enhance their qualities through a harmonious blend of text and images.
This series of books also has a strong military flavor. The battlefield is the realm where soldiers thrive; soldiers are the rhythm of the battlefield. The authors of the series are all military personnel with over 20 years of service, having led troops and participated in live-fire exercises. Some have even fought in wars and have engaged in years of military theoretical research, publishing numerous works on military themes. They have a unique advantage in writing about war. The authors can savor World War II with the sentiments of soldiers, perceive it with the eyes of soldiers, and interpret it with the thoughts of soldiers. Thus, their grasp of the psychology and behavior of characters is more accurate, their use of military terminology is more precise, and the war scenes they present to readers are more realistic.
History has repeatedly proven that only a nation with a sense of crisis and the courage for self-criticism can thrive and develop. We love our country, our nation, and our peaceful lives deeply. However, in today's unstable world where war has not yet been eliminated, we cannot afford to ignore history or war. We must learn from the past and remain highly vigilant against the dangers of war. Through our relentless efforts, we must create a peaceful environment for ourselves, our descendants, and for humanity's shared home.