The Phoney Victory: The World War II Delusion

Was World War II really the `Good War’? In the years since thedeclaration of peace in 1945 many myths have sprung up aroundthe conflict in the victorious nations. In this book, Peter Hitchensdeconstructs the many fables which have become associated withthe narrative of the `Good War’. Whilst not criticising or doubtingthe need for war against Nazi Germany at some stage, Hitchensdoes query whether September 1939 was the right moment, orthe independence of Poland the right issue. He points out that inthe summer of 1939 Britain and France were wholly unpreparedfor a major European war and that this quickly became apparentin the conflict that ensued. He also rejects the retroactive claimthat Britain went to war in 1939 to save the Jewish population ofEurope. On the contrary, the beginning and intensification of warmade it easier for Germany to begin the policy of mass murder insecret as well as closing most escape routes. In a provocative, butdeeply-researched book, Hitchens questions the most commonassumptions surrounding World War II, turning on its head themyth of Britain’s role in a `Good War’.