Book recomendation - 20th century history (WWII, general, events, Russian)

[hartford_renter]

Hi,

I wanted to know if anyone had book recommendations for nonfiction relating to 20th century events/history.

THanks!

[Thyra]

This book is a good place to start:
Amazon.com: The New Penguin History of the World: J. M. Roberts, Odd Arne Westad: Books
I have read several of his books. They read like a novel.. not a "stuffy" history book.
Try the library...or pick up a used copy.. Good Luck

[mullman]

I was going to suggest a similar work, not only 20th century.
A History of Civilizations.

Not history only, but very insightful for 1700+ is Guns, Germs, & Steel: The Fates of Human Societies.

[JefferyT]

I recall a good one on Europe during this era :"The Dark Continent".

[John Walmsley]

One of the most comprehensive that I've seen is The Century by the late Peter Jennings and Todd Brewster. It is almost 600 pages and well supported by photographs. However, it is pricey at $60. It was published in 1998, so you might be able to find a copy at a used bookstore.

[texdav]

You can read wiston Churchill's book(s)on the british perspeative avialble at all most any libary. There will be any number of other next to it on history of different areas and a overall view by people that lived those times written afterwards.Numberous books by thsoe that were involved in WWII about giving a real sense of what was thought at the time.One book will just get yopu one view point and there are alot of views when it comes to history.

[hartford_renter]

I wasnt looking for the entire history of the 20th century but just what everyone's favorite history books in that period... (maybe it is kind of too general a question)

One book I was considering reading was Bob Woodward's - Plan of Attack about the bush administration, and David McCullough - Truman.

[M3 Mitch]

"Rise and Fall of the 3rd Reich" is excellent, of course it's pretty much confined to 1935-1945, but, that's when that happened.

I honestly don't know of anything that really covers the 1950-2000 period all that well.

[hartford_renter]

If you are talking about rise and fall... by shire, I have read part of this.
It is a really long book, but it is a classic.

[jtur88]

"False Start in Africa by Rene Dumont, explains how post-colonial Africa got so bad.

Domique LaPierre and Larry Collins' books, "Freedom at Midnight". "O Jerusalem" and "Paris is Burning".

"To the Finland Station", Edmund Wilson's account of events leading to the Russian revolution;