Turning to the causes and origins of World War II, the authors consider its secret springs, the behind-the-scenes actions of Western diplomacy and special services, the course and outcome of hostilities. The book shows the largest battles of the Second World War and its component part - the Great Patriotic War. Portraits of those who won this war and who lost are given - from state leaders, major military leaders to ordinary participants. The formation and development of the anti-Hitler coalition is shown, including obvious and hidden contradictions. At the same time, the authors place special emphasis on little-studied, little-known and unknown aspects of military operations, the use of new types of weapons and the actions of special services on both sides of the fronts. The book is intended both for historians and internationals, and for a wide range of readers, not least young. It is addressed to everyone who is not indifferent to the cause of peace and universal security, who seeks to comprehend these fateful problems of the beginning of the third millennium, taking into account the lessons of history.