Class of 17 made me think of this in his Prague post. There's a lot of WWII stuff I just know and have known for years and people ask how I know all of this stuff. I grew up with it because I grew up in a time in which WWII was closer to me than Vietnam is to Millennials.
So for you young'ins who want to know stuff here are some resources. Everyone else chime in with more.
[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_at_War][/url]
VIDEOS
THE WORLD AT WAR 1973
Hands-down the best World War II documentary series because it's encyclopedic.* Covers the war from the beginning to the end. 26 Episodes, narrated by the incomparable Lawrence Olivier. Lots of great interviews done in the 1970s of actual participants - Hitler's secretary, Adolf Galland, Pearl Harbor survivors, etc.
It used to be on YouTube, but I can't find it now. Seems the copyright lawyers pulled it down. But if you want to know World War II, GET IT. You can buy DVDs or probably stream it.
* World at War has one glaring failing: Since it's British, it's very light on the Pacific War. For that, see:
VICTORY AT SEA 1954
This is a very good American documentary series on the Pacific War, which almost perfectly fills the gap that the World at War leaves. It's a little more jingoistic, but it is very good.
These are your best video resources. Bear in mind when they were produced, with all the caveats that entails.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu5f9hp0IP4][/url]
The Spanish Civil War
Not really World War II, but very good and gives context to the Fascist/Communist struggle that was really the core of the European struggle. Six episodes. Episode 1 is at the above link.
BOOKS:
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich William Shirer, 1960
Shirer was a Berlin correspondent for CBS News and was on the ground for much of the rise of the Nazi party. It's in 5 books (within the larger book). It's easy to break it up. Read one, then another, etc. until you're done. You will understand the Nazi party and the German problem very well for having read it. Professional historians looked down on Shirer snootily, but he was there and they weren't.
The Second World War (6 Volumes) Winston Churchill
Crusade in Europe Dwight Eisenhower
With the Old Breed Eugene Sledge
30 Seconds over Tokyo Ted Lawson
(Just a few books off the top of my head. I'll add more when I get home and check my list.)
So for you young'ins who want to know stuff here are some resources. Everyone else chime in with more.
[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_at_War][/url]
VIDEOS
THE WORLD AT WAR 1973
Hands-down the best World War II documentary series because it's encyclopedic.* Covers the war from the beginning to the end. 26 Episodes, narrated by the incomparable Lawrence Olivier. Lots of great interviews done in the 1970s of actual participants - Hitler's secretary, Adolf Galland, Pearl Harbor survivors, etc.
It used to be on YouTube, but I can't find it now. Seems the copyright lawyers pulled it down. But if you want to know World War II, GET IT. You can buy DVDs or probably stream it.
* World at War has one glaring failing: Since it's British, it's very light on the Pacific War. For that, see:
VICTORY AT SEA 1954
This is a very good American documentary series on the Pacific War, which almost perfectly fills the gap that the World at War leaves. It's a little more jingoistic, but it is very good.
These are your best video resources. Bear in mind when they were produced, with all the caveats that entails.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu5f9hp0IP4][/url]
The Spanish Civil War
Not really World War II, but very good and gives context to the Fascist/Communist struggle that was really the core of the European struggle. Six episodes. Episode 1 is at the above link.
BOOKS:
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich William Shirer, 1960
Shirer was a Berlin correspondent for CBS News and was on the ground for much of the rise of the Nazi party. It's in 5 books (within the larger book). It's easy to break it up. Read one, then another, etc. until you're done. You will understand the Nazi party and the German problem very well for having read it. Professional historians looked down on Shirer snootily, but he was there and they weren't.
The Second World War (6 Volumes) Winston Churchill
Crusade in Europe Dwight Eisenhower
With the Old Breed Eugene Sledge
30 Seconds over Tokyo Ted Lawson
(Just a few books off the top of my head. I'll add more when I get home and check my list.)