Research Catalog

Title

Britain's war machine : weapons, resources, and experts in the Second World War / David Edgerton.

Author

Edgerton, David.

Publication

New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xvii, 445 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps; 25 cm.

Summary

• "The familiar image of the British in the Second World War is that of the plucky underdog taking on German might. David Edgerton's bold, compelling new history shows the conflict in a new light, with Britain as a very wealthy country, formidable in arms, ruthless in pursuit of its interests, and in command of a global production system. Rather than belittled by a Nazi behemoth, Britain arguably had the world's most advanced mechanized forces. It had not only a great empire, but allies large and small. Edgerton shows that Britain fought on many fronts and its many home fronts kept it exceptionally well supplied with weapons, food and oil, allowing it to mobilize to an extraordinary extent. It created and deployed a vast empire of machines, from the humble tramp steamer to the battleship, from the rifle to the tank, made in colossal factories the world over. Scientists and engineers invented new weapons, encouraged by a government and prime minister enthusiastic about the latest technologies. The British, indeed Churchillian, vision of war and modernity was challenged by repeated defeat at the hands of less well-equipped enemies. Yet the end result was a vindication of this vision. Like the United States, a powerful Britain won a cheap victory, while others paid a great price. Putting resources, machines and experts at the heart of a global rather than merely imperial story, Britain's War Machine demolishes timeworn myths about wartime Britain and gives us a groundbreaking and often unsettling picture of a great power in action"--
• "The familiar image of the British in the Second World War is that of the plucky underdog taking on German might. David Edgerton's bold, compelling new history shows the conflict in a new light, with Britain as a very wealthy country, formidable in arms, ruthless in pursuit of its interests, and in command of a global production system. Rather than belittled by a Nazi behemoth, Britain arguably had the world's most advanced mechanized forces. It had not only a great empire, but allies large and small. Edgerton shows that Britain fought on many fronts and its many home fronts kept it exceptionally well supplied with weapons, food and oil, allowing it to mobilize to an extraordinary extent. It created and deployed a vast empire of machines, from the humble tramp steamer to the battleship, from the rifle to the tank, made in colossal factories the world over. Scientists and engineers invented new weapons, encouraged by a government and prime minister enthusiastic about the latest technologies. The British, indeed Churchillian, vision of war and modernity was challenged by repeated defeat at the hands of less well-equipped enemies. Yet the end result was a vindication of this vision. Like the United States, a powerful Britain won a cheap victory, while others paid a great price."--

Subjects

• World War, 1939-1945 > Technology
• Great Britain > Armed Forces > Weapons systems > History > 20th century
• Great Britain > Armed Forces > Equipment > History > 20th century
• Military art and science > Technological innovations > Great Britain > History > 20th century
• World War, 1939-1945 > Great Britain
• Great Britain > History, Military > 20th century
• World War, 1939-1945 > Economic aspects > Great Britain
• Industrial mobilization > Great Britain > History > 20th century

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 385-420) and index.

Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. The Assurance of Victory -- 3. Never Alone -- 4. Cronies and Technocrats -- 5. Politics and Production -- 6. Sons of the Sea -- 7. Worlds of War -- 8. Boffins -- 9. Machines and Modernities.

Call Number

JFE 12-266

ISBN

• 9780199832675 (hbk. : acid-free paper)
• 0199832676 (hbk. : acid-free paper)

LCCN

2011025596

OCLC

YBP 2011025596

Author

Edgerton, David.

Title

Britain's war machine : weapons, resources, and experts in the Second World War / David Edgerton.

Imprint

New York : Oxford University Press, 2011.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (p. 385-420) and index.

Research Call Number

JFE 12-266