A review of 'How the War Was Won' by Phillips Payson O'Brien, which argues that Allied air and sea power, not land battles, were decisive in World War II.
Longer summary
This book review discusses 'How the War Was Won' by Phillips Payson O'Brien, which presents a novel perspective on World War II. The book argues that Allied air and sea power, rather than land battles, were the decisive factors in winning the war. O'Brien focuses on production and logistics, showing how Allied efforts disrupted Axis capabilities to produce and transport military equipment. The review highlights key points such as the ineffectiveness of individual battles, the importance of non-operational losses, and the impact of oil shortages on Axis forces. It also touches on the morality of strategic bombing and offers some criticisms of the book's focus on personnel discussions.
Shorter summary