This work investigates the multifaceted origins, conduct, and global impact of the Second World War to explain the conflict's necessity and execution to a post-war generation. Authors Guy Wint and Peter Calvocoressi utilize their extensive historical expertise to synthesize complex geopolitical, social, and moral factors alongside traditional military strategy. The text argues that the war cannot be understood solely through battlefield maneuvers, but requires an analysis of intelligence operations, home-front pressures, and diplomatic failures.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational, balanced survey of the global conflict. Readers often note the density of the prose, which remains highly regarded for its ability to compress vast historical events into a coherent, analytical framework.