[4] During the Second World War, in which he served in the Royal Air Force, Barraclough's sympathy for the USSR and public opposition to the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 drew the criticism of George Orwell, among others.
In his writing, Barraclough turned to geography, social and economic cycles, empires, trade and tribes as historical units he felt most clearly connect the past to present or combine to end that continuity.
Using these methods allowed him to sketch an outline of world history, identifying its ups, downs and turning points.
With scholarly authority, Barraclough served as editor of The Times Atlas of World History, which continues to be revised.
He was also General Editor for the popular "Library of European Civilization" series, published by Thames and Hudson from 1965 with many notable contributors.