Beginning by looking at the interwar neglect that left the Allied militaries incapable of nipping Nazi aggression in the bud, Hart (modern military history, Ohio State U.) examines the wartime paths the Allies took toward improved military effectiveness, and the continuous German adaptation that prolonged the war and increased the price of eventual Allied victory. Central to his study are the 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. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)