Book excerpt: For many years, military historians and artists, collectors of militaria, war-gamers and war enthusiasts in general have felt the need for a comprehensive record of the uniforms, insignia and organisation of the fighting men of World War II. This remarkable book provides just such a record. Andrew Mollo is one of the leading British military historians with a worldwide reputation and his book is the result of years of study and research. His text not only details the design of uniforms and insignia but also describes their effectiveness in the field and how this affected the fighting ability of the troops themselves. An impressive series of 350 full-colour drawings has been specially commissioned for this book. These are supported by 160 photographs of the combatants in action, along with 53 plates of insignia. The authenticity of the drawings, together with the comprehensive descriptions, make The Armed Forces of World War II an invaluable source of reference for all students of military uniform.