The Second World War 1939–1945 – Major-General J. F. C. Fuller | 1948 First Edition in Original Dustwrapper

Author: Major-General J. F. C. Fuller, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.
Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode, London
Date: 1948
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Original hardback binding with dustwrapper
Condition: Near Fine book in Very Good dustwrapper
Stock Code: 004247
Location: Bookroom

Description

A particularly attractive first edition of The Second World War 1939–1945: A Strategical and Tactical History by Major-General J. F. C. Fuller, published by Eyre & Spottiswoode in 1948. A well-preserved copy retaining its original blue and cream typographical dustwrapper, now protected in an easily removable clear acetate archival cover.

One of the significant early military analyses of the Second World War, Fuller’s work examines the conflict primarily through the development and application of military strategy, operational planning and battlefield tactics.

Written by one of Britain’s most influential military theorists, the book offers an unusually informed assessment of the war’s major campaigns, command decisions and technological developments. Rather than presenting a conventional chronological narrative alone, Fuller considers the relationship between military objectives, operational methods, leadership and the changing nature of modern warfare.

The work addresses the campaigns of 1939–1945, including the German victories in Western Europe, the invasion of the Soviet Union, the war in North Africa, Allied operations in Europe and the eventual defeat of Germany and Japan.

Of particular importance is Fuller’s examination of mechanised warfare and the strategic employment of armoured forces, subjects on which he had been writing and theorising for decades before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Published only three years after the conflict ended, the book represents an important contemporary interpretation of the war, written before many of the official histories and later archival studies had appeared.

Major-General J. F. C. Fuller (1878–1966)

John Frederick Charles Fuller was a British Army officer, military historian and one of the most influential theorists of mechanised warfare in the twentieth century.

He served in the British Army during the First World War and became closely associated with the development of armoured warfare. As a staff officer with the Tank Corps, Fuller played a significant role in the formulation of British tank tactics and operational doctrine. He is particularly remembered for his work on Plan 1919, an ambitious proposal for the use of concentrated mechanised forces to disrupt an enemy’s command and communications systems.

During the interwar years, Fuller developed influential theories concerning mobility, mechanisation, combined arms and the changing character of modern warfare. His writings attracted international attention, including among military thinkers in Germany.

Fuller was also a controversial political figure. His association with the British Union of Fascists and his favourable attitudes towards aspects of Nazi Germany form an important part of the historical context in which his writings must be understood. Despite these controversies, his contribution to the development of modern military theory remains substantial.

Historical and Military Significance

The Second World War 1939–1945 is particularly interesting because Fuller was not simply a historian writing retrospectively about military events. He was an experienced professional soldier whose earlier theoretical work had addressed many of the tactical and operational problems that became central to the Second World War.

His assessment of armoured warfare, operational mobility, command and strategic decision-making therefore carries particular historical significance.

Condition

Book: Near Fine. A particularly clean and well-preserved copy. The original binding is firm and tight, with clean boards. The pages and illustrations are clean throughout, apart from occasional slight foxing.

Dustwrapper: Very Good. The original blue and cream dustwrapper is well preserved, with some light age-related spotting, rubbing and small nicks, principally at the edges, corners and spine extremities.

The dustwrapper is now protected in an easily removable clear acetate archival cover.

An attractive first edition of this important work of military history, particularly desirable in its original dustwrapper.

The photographs form part of the description.

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An attractive first edition of an important early strategic and tactical history of the Second World War, written by one of the most influential and controversial British military theorists of the twentieth century.