Jim,
You are not going to respond to my points, are you?

You keep saying this and I keep asking for a clear statement of what you want.
Put it simply and briefly and I will respond.

If you think there is a book I should read, name it.
I have read lots and on these issues they all agree.
None has yet been found by any of us that does not.

Long dead historians are no longer relevant" - sheeeeesh!!

I said that in the context of your post about one whose work has been discredited by new evidence.
I clarified by saying, "No silly!
Only if their findings have been contradicted in the light of later knowledge."(31 Dec 15 - 10:36 AM)

Your quote is of Gary Sheffield WHO YOU KNOW BELIEVES THE ARMY WAS WELL LED!
Dishonest Jim.
Read the whole thing here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/lions_donkeys_01.shtml

Dave,
So Keith has accepted that 17 million really did die.

Keith knew that all along.

he believes that this loss of life was worthwhile in some nebulous cause,

It was not a nebulous cause. Powerful and cruel German armies were attacking neighbouring countries and heading our way.
The government and people of the time believed that they should make a stand, and modern historians think they were right.
Compared to all that, why should I care what you think about it?

I suspect they say nothing because they are starting from the viewpoint that the survival of a state trumps the survival of individuals.

If you actually read some, you would find you are wrong about that too!

of the loss of life had been reduced by a factor 10 or 20, the war still would have not been worth it.

Those who actually fought it think it was even worth the higher cost, so once again who cares what Dave thinks?