Book review: Cry Havoc – The Arms Race And The Second World War 1931-1941 by Joe Maiolo

The varied causes of the arms build-up among the major European powers and Japan after 1931 are meticulously charted in this interesting book by King's College war studies lecturer Joe Maiolo.

The build-up was in complete contrast to the anti-war sentiments of the public and governments in the 1920s. Then, disarmament and peace were passionately desired after the slaughter during the First World War from 1914 to 1918.

Yet mutual suspicion, often for unjustified reasons, combined with the rise of aggressive dictatorships in Europe and Japan, changed this situation within a few years.

This book dispels some popular misconceptions. For instance, the much-reviled Neville Chamberlain pumped far more into defence than he is given credit for. Although the arms race became like a juggernaut, it did not actually cause the Second World War. As Maiolo says, the blame for that lies squarely with the German dictator Adolf Hitler.

8/10