Used Preloved and Recycled 1939: Countdown to War by Richard Overy. The book recounts the final eleven days leading up to the outbreak of World War II in Europe, from the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on August 24 to Britain and France's declaration of war on September 3, 1939.
Summary
Focus The book provides a detailed, hour-by-hour narrative of the diplomatic and political crises that unfolded in late August 1939.
Key Argument Overy argues that war was not inevitable right up until the last moment, emphasizing the miscalculations and irrational expectations of the key leaders, particularly Hitler's belief that Britain and France would back down as they had during the Munich Crisis a year earlier.
Style Reviewers describe the book as a concise, gripping, and journalistic account that reads like a political thriller, offering a fresh perspective on a pivotal historical moment. It is a short but detailed read, suitable for both academics and amateur historians.