The War in the West: A New History, Volume 1

The first volume reassesses Germany’s early victories from the invasion of Poland through Norway, France, the Battle of Britain, the Balkans, North Africa and the opening of Operation Barbarossa. Holland argues that operational success did not remove Germany’s chronic weaknesses in production, fuel, transport and strategic coordination.

Political leaders, commanders, industrial systems and ordinary servicemen are examined together rather than as separate levels of war. The narrative compares the resources available to Britain, Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union, showing how decisions made in 1939–41 created constraints that later battlefield brilliance could not overcome.