Richard Overy is Professor in History at the University of Exeter. He is the author of books on the Second World War, the European dictatorships and the history of air power. His latest titles include Why the Allies Won (2nd edn 2006), The Dictators: Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia (2004) and The Morbid Age: Britain Between the Wars (2009). He is a fellow of the British Academy and winner of the Wolfson History Prize in 2005. Andrew Wheatcroft is the author of many pioneerign books on early modern adn modern history, including The Ottomans (1993) and The Enemy at the Gate (2008). he is based in Dumfriesshire adn is Professor and Director of the Centre for Publishing Studies at the University of Stirling.

"The best short work on the origins of the second world war. It is a masterpiece of compression" Literary Review "Stimulating and enjoyable... essential reading" Guardian "Well-written, authoritative" -- Norman Stone Sunday Times "The authors combine passion with understanding to make sound historical sense" The Economist "It is mesmerising to read about a world careering to hell" Independent