World War 2

Bess, Choices Under Fire Introduction, "Evaluating the Second World War," pages 1-18; Ch. 1, "A Wide World of Racism," pages 21–41

Overy, Why the Allies Won Ch. 1, "Unpredictable Victory: Explaining World War II," pages 1–24

What perspectives do Michael Bess and Richard Overy bring to studying World War II? What big arguments do they make about how we ought to view the war, and through what lenses or constructs? What are their key themes and points? What evidence do they bring to bear in their introductory chapters to help define the arguments they are trying to make? Are their works complementary or at odds? Is one perspective more valid than the other?