The book, World War II Almanac (1931 - 1935), represents a day-by-day, chronological record of the events that shaped and in the end led to World War II.  From its early origins in 1931 long before the outbreak of hostilities to the surrender of Japan, the facts detailed in this book make for a gripping, detailed acount of one of the world's geatest tragedies.  The author highlights, in each chapter, many of the war's important events including the first use of poison gas, Hitler's plot to kidnap the Duke of Windsor, the first shelling by a Japanese submarine of the United States mainland, along with profiles of other major events and people in the news during the year being reviewed.  The major sections of this book are as follows: 1) Acknowledgements; 2) Introduction; 3) 1931 - Japanese militarism in Manchuria kindles fires of war; 4) 1932 - A world depression is made ripe for dramatic and drastic change; 5) 1933 Hitler wins power and Germany accedes to dictatorial rule; 6) 1934 - New alignments of power develop as nations frantically seek security; 7) 1935 - Hitler rearms Germany:; Mussoloini conquers Ethiopia; 8) 1936 - Spain is engulfed in civil war, and Europe's will and arms are put to the test; 9) 1937 - An Axis is forged; 10) 1938 - Austria and Czechoslovakia fall under the Nazi jackboot; 10) 1939 - The peace is shattered in Poland; 11) 1940 Germany appears unstoppable until the Battle of Britain; 12) 1941 - The mammoth clash of arms begins in Russia, and Japan slashes through the Pacific; 13) 1942 - Japan rules most of east Asia, but the Axis is halted in North Africa; 14) 1943 - Allied forces on all fronts turn the tide of battle; 15) 1944 - Europe's liberation begins with a Channel crossing; 16) 1945 - Peace returns -- for a while; 17) Men & Arms; 18) Bibliography and 19) Index.  In addition to a interesting narrative, this book includes the following features: 1) Over 200 black and white vintage photographs; 2) Many detailed maps; 3) Numerous diagrams depicting major batles, invasions and landings; 4) Production and loss tables by individual military power and 5) Statistical charts outlining the war's toll on men and arms for both Allied and Axis nations.  In the end, the book World War II Almanac (1931 - 1935) will enlighten any student or history buff interested in the events, people and places of World War II.  This book is 486 pages and is in very good condition.  The author is Robert Goralski.  Edition published in 1984