Book excerpt: "In America's Second Crusade, William Henry Chamberlin offers his perspective as a seasoned journalist on the United States' involvement in World War II. Written only five years after the unconditional surrenders of Germany and Japan, the book is a window into its time. Fresh from eliminating threats from fascist regimes, the United States then faced threats from the totalitarian Soviet Union. Chamberlin's analysis of the war is colored by his concern over the Gold War conflict." "The book focuses on the precursors to World War II and the war's aftermath, rather than on the events of the war itself, Chamberlin begins with an analysis of World War I and its consequences and describes the factors that led to the outbreak of war in Europe during the 1950s. He then turns to World War II and presents his opinions on the conflict at home regarding direct U.S. engagement in the war. He details the events and diplomatic decisions that eventually led to the U.S. entrance into the Atlantic and Pacific conflicts."--BOOK JACKET.