That's amazing Anne, because I have all of those. The Keegan books are very good. I recommended Gilbert's history of WW2 because it emphasises the fact that it was as much a war of genocide and murder as it was of conquest. I mentioned The Dark Valley also for the very reasons you state. You cannot truly understand WW2 without knowledge of the preceding years. It has been said, with some justification, that the Versailles Treaty made another World War inevitable; and that the global depression merely hastened its arrival.
Vikki, You may have read it, but if you enjoy learning about the 19th century may I recommend The Victorians by A.N Wilson.

thanks for the recommendation porscha.....

checked it out on amazon together with "pleasure and leisure in victorian england"

so 2 books!! well have to qualify for free delivery !!!! well thats my excuse......

vikki x