Jonathan Wright explores the events, discusses rival interpretations and places the policies of Hitler in the context of Germany as a whole. Wright explains that support rose and fell, but, nevertheless, by December 1941 Hitler had succeeded in carrying Germany into a world war for racial empire.

'Jonathan Wright has produced the incisive Germany and the Origins of the Second World War - Ian Kershaw, The Guardian
 
'This book is packed with conceptual ideas, throwing up possible hypotheses, leaving them hanging then seeing where they fit with other ones: 21 pages of footnotes and a 200 book bibliography show the depth of referencing that the author has gone through to establish his views.' - Andrew Hunt, History Teaching Review
 
'Jonathan Wright's book is well-researched, well-structured, and well-written...This reader should be in the hands of every student who wants to understand Germany's complicated history between 1930 and 1945.' - Jürgen Förster, German Historical Institute Bulletin
 
'Wright has reworked this grim passage of European history with verve and assurace to the benefit, surely, of a large readership.' - Conan Fischer, English Historical Review

Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Glossary
Introduction
Debates and Themes
Hitler's World
From the Margin to the Mainstream
Dismantling Versailles
Preparing for War: From Rhineland Occupation to Anschluss
To War in Europe: From Anschluss to the Invasion of Poland
To World War: September 1939 to December 1941
Conclusion
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index

JONATHAN WRIGHT is Professor of International Relations and a tutorial Fellow at Christ Church, University of Oxford, UK.