"In The Rise of Germany, the first of a major new three-part history of World War II in the West, he weaves together the experiences of dozens of individuals, from civilians and infantrymen, to line officers, military strategists, diplomats, and heads of state, as well as war strategy, tactics, and the economic, political, and social aspects of the war to create a captivating book that redefines and enhances our understanding of one of the most significant conflicts in history, "--Amazon.com.

Originally published: The rise and fall of Germany, 1939-1942 ; London : Bantam Press, 2015 ; (The war in the West : a new history ; volume 1).

List of principal characters featured -- Introduction -- Part I: War begins. Countdown ; Diplomacy ; Running out of time ; The point of no return ; War declared ; All at sea ; Offensive reconnaissance ; Vehicle shortages ; The modern army ; Leading the nation ; Attention to detail ; Case YELLOW ; Home front ; Iron in the soul ; All alone -- Part II: Germany triumphant. Operation WESERÜBUNG ; The battle for Norway ; The go-for-broke gamble ; Attack in the West ; Race to the Meuse ; Smashing the Meuse Front ; Encirclement ; Britain's darkest hour ; Getting away ; The end in France ; Air power : I -- Part III: War in the air and on the sea. Air power : 2 ; Not alone ; Indecision ; Adler-Angriff ; Crossing the water ; The approach to battle ; Science, money, and resources ; The grey Atlantic ; The humiliation of Mussolini ; Change of tack -- Part IV: The widening war. The vanquished and the defiant ; Saved from the deep ; Developments at sea ; Sea battles ; Mixed fortunes : I ; Forwards and backwards ; Gains and losses ; Mixed fortunes : II ; Mercury falling ; Midsummer heat ; Industrial potential ; Trouble at the top -- Glossary -- Appendices -- Timeline.