In "How the War Was Won," Phillips Payson O'Brien challenges the traditional narrative of World War II as primarily a clash of colossal armies on the Eastern Front. With meticulous analysis, O'Brien reframes the conflict as a decisive testament to the power of air and sea. This groundbreaking study argues that the Allied victory was not forged in the fires of land battles like El Alamine, Stalingrad, or Kursk, but rather in the overwhelming superiority they achieved in the skies and across the oceans. By examining the pivotal role of production, technology, and economic might, O'Brien illustrates how the Allies harnessed air and sea power to exert insurmountable pressure on the Axis powers, effectively expanding the battlefield and preempting the Axis war effort by destroying a significant portion of their resources before they could even be deployed. O'Brien's compelling narrative is a testament to the strategic innovations and foresight of Allied leadership, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of warfare that ultimately determined the outcome of the most devastating conflict in human history. Through a detailed exploration of how air and sea dominance were achieved and maintained, "How the War Was Won" offers a fresh perspective on World War II. It compellingly argues that the true architects of victory were not the generals commanding vast armies, but those who orchestrated the war from the skies and the seas, marking a paradigm shift in how military success is achieved and history is written.