"It is not our remembering of the sins of the past that provkes hatred, but the way in which we remember them...Those who wish to harness hatred and resentment for their own gain always try to distort the proper balance between one version of history an another...We must show how competing views of history can exist alongside on another."

Lowe challenges preconceived memories and beliefs about WWII to demonstrate how myth-making and romanticizing certain aspects of war can cause further harm and strife, even in present day society. Conflict and violence did not end with VE Day, but continued many years after 1945, and seeing the war strictly as the Allies (good) vs. the Axis (evil) is narrow-minded. His prose is clear and readable, and he always makes sure to qualify his statements. Thoroughly researched and footnoted, Lowe has crafted a tome that should be a must read for any modern historian.