Battle of Britain: A Day-by-Day Chronicle: 10 July 1940 to 31 October 1940 [Hardcover]

Patrick Bishop (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

The latest in an ambitious series of illustrated historical chronicles from Quercus, Battle of Britain is a compelling, day-by-day account of Britain's fight for national survival. The progress of the battle is described in an evocative and stylish narrative, amplified by an impressive array of authentic documentary materials and other illustrative features, including contemporary photographs, posters, and newspaper headlines, plus aircraft diagrams and maps. Eye-witness accounts, diary extracts, and pilot profiles bring the battle's heroes and victims, triumphs and tragedies unforgettably to life. In Battle of Britain Patrick Bishop has created a memorable and visually stunning record of one of the decisive moments of 20th-century history. A fittingly vast, sumptuous, and ambitious work on Britain's fight for national survival, no one with an interest in the history of World War II or of modern Britain will wish to be without it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A superb, precise account this book will have wide appeal and ranks as one of the best to appear in recent years. It is a worthy memorial to the 'Few' 5 stars' Daily Telegraph. 'An interesting and extremely well-written account of Britain's national survival with an impressive array of authentic documentary materials, images and newspaper headlines.' 'The best day-by-day chronicle of the Battle of Britain that I have read' Britain at War magazine.

About the Author

Patrick Bishop has worked as senior correspondent for the Daily Telegraph. He is the author of The Irish Empire; the acclaimed book The Provisional IRA with Eamonn Mallie; the bestselling Fighter Boys; and most recently the best-selling Bomber Boys and 3 Para.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Quercus (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847249841
• ISBN-13: 978-1847249845
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Evocative History of the RAF's Finest Hour!, April 18, 2010

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Battle of Britain: A Day-by-Day Chronicle: 10 July 1940 to 31 October 1940 (Hardcover)

Since 2010 is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, readers can expect a deluge of BoB-related titles. Patrick Bishop, who authored the similarly-themed FIGHTER BOYS, is early off the mark with this hefty release from Quereus Publishing. Though it is not the "definitive history" the flyleaf notes claim, BATTLE OF BRITAIN is an appealing, well-illustrated look at an epic event.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN, which weighs in at 392 pages, is subtitled A DAY-BY-DAY CHRONICLE, 10 JULY 1940 TO 31 OCTOBER 1940. Since the BoB story has been told many times - most notably by BATTLE OVER BRITAIN by Francis K. Mason and BATTLE OF BRITAIN THEN AND NOW - the basic facts are well-known. Where Bishop's book differs is the many first-person accounts he includes from RAF and German fighter pilots, German bomber crewmen and assorted British politicians, service personnel and civilians. The many combat reports featured in the book put the reader right in the midst of the action. Likewise the many period b&w and color photographs, illustrations, newspaper clippings, posters and memorabilia help capture the feel of those crucial months.

I had several problems with BATTLE OF BRITAIN. Bishop is inconsistent with identifying the German units involved in the air battles. Sometimes he's quite specific that "72 He111s of Kampfgeschwader 26...joined by 21 Me110 heavy fighters of Zerstorergeschwader 76" did thus-and-so. Yet, just as often, the RAF's opponents are "a gaggle of Ju87s," "dozens of Me109s," "another large formation," etc. The identify of opposing units throughout the BoB has been extensively documented so I didn't understand the inconsistency. My biggest problem was the large number of sidebars on various topics Bishop inserted throughout the book (bios of individual RAF aces, noted Luftwaffe brass, the 'Buy a Spitfire Fund,' RAF pilot training, high-octane fuel, Shadow factories and so on). While these were interesting, I felt they undercut the flow of the main text by the constant "continued on page xxx" interruptions. Much of that information could have been included in prepatory chapters before the main July-October sections.

Having said that, BATTLE OF BRITAIN has much to recommend it. The many personal reminiscences and evocative images will certainly transport the reader back to those momentous times and provide a lively, sometimes poignant you-are-there experience. Recommended.
*****

Review #975.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really excellent informative book, April 29, 2010

By 

P. Parkes (East Sussex UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Battle of Britain: A Day-by-Day Chronicle: 10 July 1940 to 31 October 1940 (Hardcover)

Well worth the price, this is a truly accurate account of a very important part of our history

4.0 out of 5 stars A great addition to my library!, February 21, 2011

By 

Fedoradude "Fedoradude" (The Paris of the Prairie) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Battle of Britain: A Day-by-Day Chronicle: 10 July 1940 to 31 October 1940 (Hardcover)

This is a very good book. The Blitz is broken down by significant periods (chapters) and they are full of narratives of battles and significant strategy developments all interlaced with personal accounts from the combatants of both sides, British citizens who endured the bombings etc. Additionally periodically in the reading, one encounters mini-biographies of key players - i.e., Keith Park, Trefford Leigh-Mallory, etc.

Be sure to not overlook the appendices in the back. Not usually a place I find interesting, exciting information worthy of spending much time. However, Appendix A gives the particular history, characteristics, specs etc on each of side's major player aircraft that were part of the Battle. Appendix B gives rich supplemental details on things like rank structures of both air forces, nationalities making up the RAF Fighter Command, battle-by-battle statistics thru November 1940, etc. As I say, the appendices are chock full of really interesting additional details.

This books make a perfect addition to my aviation/WW2 history bookshelf. I purchased this on a pre-release special purchase price. I only wish it'd been available hardcover then.