Launch Event for “1942: Crux of War” Takes Place on July 17 at Ft. Snelling

(Minneapolis) – How much do you know about World War II?

For most people, their knowledge is limited to what they learned in high school.They know that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 is what drew the United States
into the War; and that the dropping of the bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945 is what ended it.

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But did you know that what happened during a 40-day period at the end of 1942 changed the trajectory of the entire war? Noted World War II historian Jonathan Parshall, who makes his home in South Minneapolis, is about to launch a new
book that educates readers on the battles, military strategy and the transition of the Allies from the losing side to the winning side by the end of the year.

A book launch party for 1942: Crux of War will take place at the Ft. Snelling Visitor Center, located at 17 Tower Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55111, on Friday, July 17, 2026. Author Jon Parshall will be on hand to sign copies of the book and answer
questions between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

To register for the event, please visit 1942booklaunchparty.eventbrite.com

The 1,280-page book, published by Oxford University Press, provides what Parshall calls a holistic approach to understanding the War by showcasing all the interconnectivity points during the year that would ultimately vault the Allies
to victory. It also serves as a resource book that offers clear synopses of the economies and military strategies of all the major combatants in the War.

Included in the book are more than 140 maps and infographics, 13 monthly timelines, and dozens of photographs. In addition to being the book’s author, Parshall did all the illustrations.

Between the writing, research and illustrations, "1942: Crux of War" took 17 years to put together.“This whole book is just really an effort to educate myself,” he said. Parshall is of
course also educating others.

Early reviews for the book call it a historical work of significance. Library Journal’s Chad Statler said, “Military historian Parshall (Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway) argues that 1942 was the war’s turning
point toward Allied victory. Instead of identifying one decisive moment, Parshall posits that multiple smaller victories taken together turned the war in the Allies’ favor…This remarkable synthesis is organized by month for the entire year and covers the main theaters: the air war, Battle of the Atlantic,
the Mediterranean, Eastern Front, and the Pacific.”

"Any doubts that 1942 was absolutely the decisive year of the war are shattered by this explosive and game-changing new study,” said Paul Woodadge, of the WW2TV channel on YouTube.

About the Author

Jonathan Parshall is a noted World War II historian, and co-author of the award-winning "Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway." Oxford University Press
released his second book, "1942: Crux of War" in June 2026.

He serves as a guest commentator on “World War II with Tom Hanks,” a 20-part documentary series that premiered on the History Channel on Memorial Day 2026, and has appeared on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, Netflix and the BBC. His work has been published in the U.S. Naval War College Review, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Naval History magazine, WWII magazine, Wartime (the Journal of the Australian War Memorial), and many others. He has led nearly 20 battlefield tours of the Pacific as a historian.

Parshall co-hosts the podcast and YouTube channel “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War and has appeared frequently on other WWII-related YouTube channels.
He is an adjunct lecturer for the U.S. Naval War College, and a frequent speaker at the National World War II Museum, the National Museum for the Pacific War, the Pritzker Military History Museum, and many others.

Parshall earned his undergraduate degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and his MBA in Operations Management from the Carlson School of Management at
the University of Minnesota. When not writing or researching, he enjoys riding his tandem trike with his wife, swing dancing, and playing bass guitar and drums. He and his wife have two adult children and live in South Minneapolis.

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