Direct quotes from surviving documents such as letters and reports provide an honest and moving depiction of the time. High-quality, authentic images capture the heart and drama of the period. Quotes from contemporary movies and song lyrics represent how deeply these hard times affected the people who lived through them, and how they continue to affect us today. A comprehensive account of the period that will fulfill a general interest in the subject as well as providing a substantial study aid.

Introduction 4-7 Chapter 1 Early History: The Starting Point 8-13 Chapter 2 Build Up: A Developing Crisis 14-19 Chapter 3 Crisis: Turning Point 20-25 Chapter 4 Aftermath: End of the Conflict 26-29 Chapter 5 Popular Culture: The War in the Media 30-33 Chapter 6 Looking Back: The War in Context 34-39 Chapter 7 Major Figures: Men of the War 40-43 Glossary 44-45 Index 46-47 Acknowledgements 48