This is a new and original approach to the study of the Second World War, one of the most tragic periods of modern history, exploring the its human dimensions– such as courage, solidarity, resilience, vengeance, hate, loss and ingenuity – in all their complexity and diversity.

Combining narrative, stories, case-studies and analysis, Mark Sandle presents a picture of the war as seen through the lens of the people who fought and died, the people who survived, the people who waited, the people who tortured, the people who suffered and the people who resisted. It draws from examples across the different theatres of conflict, from the battle-front, the home front and the prison camp to provide a holistic account of the war as seen from London, Moscow, Washington, Tokyo, Warsaw, Berlin and beyond. The first truly human account of the war, this book invites readers to understand the war as it was experienced by others, and so confront the lingering ethnic and national stereotypes which continue to distort our perspective on this most important episode of recent history.

Humanity and Inhumanity in the Second World War provides a truly original perspective on the Second World War, making it a refreshing, engaging and informative book for students of the conflict.