Honored as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association

Clash of Arms examines how the Western Allies learned—on the battlefield—to defeat the Nazi war machine. Beginning with an investigation of the interwar neglect that left the Allied militaries incapable of defeating Nazi aggression at the start of World War II, Russell A. Hart analyzes the methods the Allies used to improve their military effectiveness. He also explores the continuous German adaptation that prolonged the war and increased the price of eventual Allied victory. Central to his comparative study is the complex interplay of personalities, military culture, and wartime realities that determined how accurately the combatants learned the lessons of war and how effectively they enhanced their battle capabilities.