November 1942
An Intimate History of the Turning Point of the Second World War
By Peter Englund | Publisher: Random House
About the book
*A Telegraph History Book of the Year, 2023*
'An astonishing achievement' ANTONY BEEVOR
‘A remarkably moving and humane book’ WILLIAM BOYD
An intimate history of the most important month of the Second World War as experienced by those who lived through it, completely based on their diaries, letters and memoirs.
At the beginning of November 1942, it looked as if the Axis powers could win the war; at the end of that month, it was obviously just a matter of time before they would lose.
In between came el-Alamein, Guadalcanal, the French North Africa landings, the Japanese retreat in New Guinea, and the Soviet encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. In this innovatively kaleidoscopic and riveting historical marvel, Peter Englund reduces these epoch-making events to their basic component: the individual experience.
In thirty memorable days we meet characters including a Soviet infantryman at Stalingrad; an Italian truck driver in the North African desert; a partisan in the Belarussian forests; a machine gunner in a British bomber; a twelve-year-old girl in Shanghai; a university student in Paris; a housewife on Long Island; a prisoner in Treblinka; Albert Camus, Vasily Grossman, and Vera Brittain. We also witness the launch of SS James Oglethorpe; the fate of U-604, a German submarine; the building of the first nuclear reactor; and the making of Casablanca.
‘Extraordinary ... an original panorama of humankind's most destructive war’ New York Times
‘Superb ... a stimulating read’ New Statesman
Not since Englund's own The Beauty and the Sorrow has a book given us one of the most dramatic periods of human history in all its immensity and emotional range.
Editions of November 1942
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781847924803
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781529923698
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781847924810
- EBook
- ISBN 9781473549012
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781529928914
Read an Excerpt
*A Telegraph History Book of the Year, 2023*
'An astonishing achievement' ANTONY BEEVOR
‘A remarkably moving and humane book’ WILLIAM BOYD
An intimate history of the most important month of the Second World War as experienced by those who lived through it, completely based on their diaries, letters and memoirs.
At the beginning of November 1942, it looked as if the Axis powers could win the war; at the end of that month, it was obviously just a matter of time before they would lose.
In between came el-Alamein, Guadalcanal, the French North Africa landings, the Japanese retreat in New Guinea, and the Soviet encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. In this innovatively kaleidoscopic and riveting historical marvel, Peter Englund reduces these epoch-making events to their basic component: the individual experience.
In thirty memorable days we meet characters including a Soviet infantryman at Stalingrad; an Italian truck driver in the North African desert; a partisan in the Belarussian forests; a machine gunner in a British bomber; a twelve-year-old girl in Shanghai; a university student in Paris; a housewife on Long Island; a prisoner in Treblinka; Albert Camus, Vasily Grossman, and Vera Brittain. We also witness the launch of SS James Oglethorpe; the fate of U-604, a German submarine; the building of the first nuclear reactor; and the making of Casablanca.
‘Extraordinary ... an original panorama of humankind's most destructive war’ New York Times
‘Superb ... a stimulating read’ New Statesman
Not since Englund's own The Beauty and the Sorrow has a book given us one of the most dramatic periods of human history in all its immensity and emotional range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is November 1942 about?
*A Telegraph History Book of the Year, 2023*
'An astonishing achievement' ANTONY BEEVOR
‘A remarkably moving and humane book’ WILLIAM BOYD
An intimate history of the most important month of the Second World War as experienced by those who lived through it, completely based on their diaries, letters and memoirs.
At the beginning of November 1942, it looked as if the Axis powers could win the war; at the end of that month, it was obviously just a matter of time before they would lose.
In between came el-Alamein, Guadalcanal, the French North Africa landings, the Japanese retreat in New Guinea, and the Soviet encirclement of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. In this innovatively kaleidoscopic and riveting historical marvel, Peter Englund reduces these epoch-making events to their basic component: the individual experience.
In thirty memorable days we meet characters including a Soviet infantryman at Stalingrad; an Italian truck driver in the North African desert; a partisan in the Belarussian forests; a machine gunner in a British bomber; a twelve-year-old girl in Shanghai; a university student in Paris; a housewife on Long Island; a prisoner in Treblinka; Albert Camus, Vasily Grossman, and Vera Brittain. We also witness the launch of SS James Oglethorpe; the fate of U-604, a German submarine; the building of the first nuclear reactor; and the making of Casablanca.
‘Extraordinary ... an original panorama of humankind's most destructive war’ New York Times
‘Superb ... a stimulating read’ New Statesman
Not since Englund's own The Beauty and the Sorrow has a book given us one of the most dramatic periods of human history in all its immensity and emotional range.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in November 1942?
History and Archaeology > History > Military history > Specific wars and military campaigns > Second World War
Where can I read a sample of November 1942?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781847924803
Who is/are the Author/s of the book November 1942?
Peter Englund
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
November 1942 is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781847924803) and paperback(ISBN 9781529923698) and paperback(ISBN 9781847924810) and ebook(ISBN 9781473549012) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781529928914)
Where can I buy November 1942 online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy November 1942 from below
Where can I buy November 1942?