This encyclopedia contains 2,400 entries on combatants, strategic battles, and the Holocaust, as well as political and economic issues, popular culture, and the ways in which the war impacted every area of American life, from movies and songs to women's roles. The book begins with a detailed introduction giving background on factors leading up to the war, 1919-1941, and a 50-page chronology with details on events from 1941 to 1945. Alphabetical entries cover well-known and less-known events and milestones, and entries on people describe not only military personnel but also civilians who played a major role, such as troop entertainers and world leaders. There are also entries on weaponry, countries that fought in the war, and on themes such as medicine and segregation. The book closes with an epilogue about the period 1946-1990, appendices of military rank comparisons and battle stars, and a list of recommended reading. Navigation is made easy with key figure and project name indexes. The book is illustrated with b&w historical photos and maps on most pages, 85 in total. It was first published in 1996. Annotation 2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
