World War II History for Teens: Understanding the Major Battles, Military Strategy, and Arc of War

by Benjamin Mack-Jackson

Overview

Explore WWII from the front lines in this teen history book

Help history come alive in a way that's easy for teens to connect with and enjoy. World War II History for Teens dives deep into the major battles, providing a core, compelling framework that allows teens to better understand what really happened during the war. From the conquest of Europe all the way through the end of the Pacific Theater, they'll get an up-close look at the course of the Second World War and learn how it created the world they live in today.

World War II History for Teens includes:

• Key WWII battles—Read through detailed accounts of the most important battles, the moments that decided their outcomes, and how these results shaped the war.
• Critical thinking—An exciting narrative engages readers while also providing the information they need to draw their own conclusions about the impact of WWII.
• Closer looks—World War II History for Teens helps readers go even deeper with special features on military technology, how many of the war's key decisions were made, and more.

Show teens how exciting history can be with World War II History for Teens.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648760723
Publisher:	Callisto Publishing
Publication date:	06/01/2021
Series:	History for Teens
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.42(d)
Lexile:	1170L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 16 Years

About the Author

BENJAMIN MACK-JACKSON is an author, documentary filmmaker, historian, and storyteller capturing and preserving the memories of the last surviving World War II veterans. As the founder of the nonprofit WWII Veterans History Project, Benjamin dedicates his time to capturing untold stories of service and sacrifice.

Table of Contents

Introduction x

Chapter 1 Prelude to World War II 1

Between the Wars 2

Germany: The Rise of the Nazi Party 3

Italy: Fascism Takes Over 6

Japan: The Path to Military Dictatorship 8

The United States: The Attempt to Remain Neutral 10

The Soviet Union and Germany: An Unlikely Alliance 11

Chapter 2 The German Conquest of Europe 17

A New Philosophy 18

The Battle of France 19

The Miracle at Dunkirk 21

The Submarine Threat: The Battle of the Atlantic 24

The Battle of Britain 28

The Blitz 29

Chapter 3 Germany Moves East 33

Operation Barbarossa 34

The Battle of Moscow 37

The Siege of Leningrad 38

The Second Battle of Kharkov 41

The Battle of Stalingrad 42

The Battle of Kursk 46

Chapter 4 The Pacific Theater 51

Pearl Harbor 52

The Battle of the Coral Sea 56

The Battle of Midway 57

Guadalcanal 60

The Battle of Leyte Gulf 63

The Battle of Luzon 66

Chapter 5 The Mediterranean and North Africa 69

The Importance of Africa 70

The Battle of Crete 72

The Battle of El Alamein and Operation Torch 74

The Italian Campaign 77

The Battle of Monte Cassino 80

The Battle of Anzio 82

Chapter 6 The Final Throes of War in Europe 87

The Long Road to France 88

The Invasion of Normandy 91

The Road to Victory 95

The Battle of the Bulge 96

A Horrific Discovery 98

The Battle of Berlin 101

Chapter 7 The Final Throes of War in the Pacific 107

To the Mainland 108

The Manhattan Project 109

The Battle of Iwo Jima 111

Strategic Bombing 115

The Battle of Okinawa 117

Hiroshima and Nagasaki 119

Chapter 8 Aftermath and Impact 125

The End of the War in Europe 126

The End of the War in the Pacific 128

The Push to Rebuild 130

Legacy 134

Resources 137

References 142

Index 150

Editorial Reviews

For teens, or anyone, learning about the history of WWII, Benjamin Mack-Jackson’s new book is the place to start! As an educator for more than 30 years, I appreciate material that allows students to learn a layer at a time for topics as complex as WWII. Most students will benefit from the pace at which the author moves this real-life drama along while providing just enough detail to pique curiosity. World War II History for Teens enables the reader to see multiple perspectives of the war without being overwhelmed with details. Teens who read this book will have a big-picture view of WWII that allows for a better understanding of all future knowledge they acquire about this epic global conflict that still affects our lives today.” —Lou Ring Sangdahl, teacher and instructional coach with a focus on project-based learning

“Benjamin Mack-Jackson has devoted himself to the preservation of veterans' stories, and has used his expertise to craft a highly readable and informative history of World War II for a teen audience. This book will serve as an excellent resource and inspire readers to continue learning about this complex and important conflict.” —Chris Juergens, PhD, Anschutz assistant curator of military history and heritage at History Colorado

“Benjamin Mack-Jackson tells a compelling version of World War II through a unique and meticulous investigation, conducting interviews with more than 100 WWII vets. Throughout the novel, he helps teens make the connections to not only understand WWII but to also appreciate the impact it had on America and the world.” —Jamie Berry, social studies teacher

From the Publisher