Book Review - World War II In 500 Photographs

Time-Life World War II In 500 Photographs 

By: Time Life Books
Publisher: Jim Childs, Time Home Entertainment
Publishing Date: May 2014
ISBN: 978-1-60320-993-9
Reviewed by: Mary Lignor
Review Date: May 9, 2014

World War II In 500 Photographs is the second book being released by Time-Life this month (see our inspirational section for a review of Everything You Need To Know About the Bible). These books were popular in the 1960s and it's a great treat to have them brought back for both today's younger generation and those of us who remember the old books.

In the 1930’s Germany was in a bad way. They, as with most of Europe, were going through a depression and they were looking for strong leadership to take them out of the mess brought about by the end of World War I. When the Nazi Party, run by Adolph Hitler, came into being, all bets were off. The party took over the German Parliament and Hitler became the Chancellor, which was a very high public office; they laughed at the German Constitution and killed anyone who objected. They also brought about the Nuremberg Laws that put restrictions on just about everyone except Aryans. After all this, on September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and the War began. This was the beginning of World War II even though America was a few years away from entering the fighting.

World War II In 500 Photographs is a marvelous book that will help readers see into the Greatest War in History, beginning in 1939 with Germany’s invasion of Poland up through 1945 when peace treaties were signed. Many lives were lost in combat, in the horrible concentration camps and so many beautiful cities were destroyed for the egos of a few people who wanted to rule the world. In this book readers will see key battles and events; meet the leaders of the war (friends and enemies) and see fabulous photographs of some of the greatest events and most horrible events that take place in a conflict like this. This book starts with the Nazi’s rise to power after World War I. It delves into the fact that the Japanese didn’t like us all that much either and attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, crippling the Pacific Fleet and bringing the US into World War II. The photos in this book are unbelievable and were captured by photographers who were running around the battle ground snapping pictures, carrying a camera and pen instead of a gun and doing their jobs perfectly. Each picture in this book has a story behind it, a story not to be missed. This is a marvelous educational book that will help the young people of today understand loyalty to their country.

Quill says: Take some time to look through this book and look at it often, you won’t be disappointed.

Book Review - Everything You Need to Know About the Bible

Time-Life Everything You Need To Know About the Bible: Genesis to Revelation, Your Illustrated Guide

By: Time-Life Books
Publisher: Jim Childs, Time Home Entertainment
Publishing Date: May 2014
ISBN: 978-1603209960
Reviewed by: Mary Lignor
Review Date: May 9, 2014

Many readers will be pleased when they see that Time-Life Books has brought back the type of books they published in the 60’s. These books show the reader images of subjects that will help to educate young people and remind their elders of times that actually settled the world around us. In the 60’s, Time-Life Books sold many books, using direct mail, letting the public know about things that had happened from the Creation of the world to the settling of the West, to the Wars fought to keep our freedom. These were mostly told in the form of photographs and the books were wonderful keepsakes. Unfortunately, in 2003, this part of Time Life was sold and the books stopped. Fortunately, there was a recent sale to Time-Life Entertainment, allowing them to use the name Time-Life and this company will start these great books once again. The first two books for the public’s perusal are Everything You Need To Know About the Bible: Genesis to Revelation, Your Illustrated Guide and World War II In 500 Photographs (see our historicical section for a review of World War II in 500 Photographs).

In Everything You Need To Know About The Bible, the story starts, of course, with Genesis and ends with the death of Jesus on the Cross. The pages are full of beautiful paintings depicting the Bible Story with short narratives and time lines. This book will fascinate children as well as adults who attended Sunday school in their youth and, with the portraits of various Bible figures, it will be a great educational tool for young and old. Readers will find many things that they have forgotten and will also be able to look up various stories that were favorites. The book will help readers to know the Bible again and will take them on a journey through the times of Moses, Noah and on up to Jesus’ birth and his life before being crucified and rising from the dead. The illustrations are magnificent and the stories are told for anyone to read.

Inside this book will be found many stories of the most important figures in the history of religion; Bible verses that correspond with the stories and many reference points for scholars, young and old. The reader will meet kings, prophets and the apostles of Jesus along with reading about the Last Supper and Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. This book also gives an account of the Apostles following Jesus’ death and how they spread Jesus word throughout the countries. For anyone interested in the Bible, this book is a 'must-have' and is also a perfect educational tool - thank you Time-Life for bringing these books back to life!

Quill says: A great addition to your personal library.