From blitzkrieg and blackout to ghettos and Guadalcanal, World War II was a conflict that touched all nations and penetrated all aspects of people's lives. Sixty years after it ended, it still shapes the world we live in today.When Oxford first published this comprehensive guide to the Second World War, The Economist wrote "it will immediately take its place as the indispensable reference book for students of the Second World War." Now in its third printing, the Companion proves as essential as ever.With over 1,750 A to Z entries written by more than 140 specialists from both Axis and Allied nations, the Companion provides uniquely worldwide coverage of the war. Every aspect is covered: in-depth surveys of the countries involved in the conflict; politics and strategy; domestic and economic issues; resistance and intelligence; campaigns and battles; warfare and weapons; wartime leaders and influential people; slogans and slang. Hundreds of easy-to-read maps, charts, and diagrams, plus a full chronology, support the Companion's comprehensive coverage. This is an essential reference for students, scholars, history buffs, or anyone seeking to learn more about the most tragic, momentous, and influential event in recent history.