As the first half of Wouk's monumental exploration of the causes and conflicts of World War II, The Winds of War offers numerous topics for group discussion. Central to this work is the contrast between the attitudes of isolationism and complacency in the United States and the more alarmist reactions of Western European nations to Adolf Hitler's inexorable march toward war.

Early in his story, Wouk introduces readers to the strident anti-Semitism which characterizes not only the Nazis' treatment of Jews, but also the attitudes of individuals from a number of other countries.

Wouk is also concerned with developing a portrait of the ideal American military man. Unlike Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny, Victor Henry possesses the qualities Wouk admires in those who have chosen a lifetime of service to their country. His sons exhibit some of those same qualities — even the irascible Byron...