Customer Reviews

Battle of Britain: The Hardest Day, 18 August 1940

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The entire book is devoted to telling the story of only one day during the battle of Britain. August the 18th is the date of the highest actual losses for both sides (not the highest claimed losses as was the case on september 15th). This book is so well written I can recommend it to anyone with even the most passing interest in WWII. Alfred Price, has a definite talent for distilling military operational detail into everyday language, and the historical detail is presented in a thoroughly engrossing way. I have read many books written almost exclusively from the historian's point of view and have enjoyed them very much, but for me there's no substitute for hearing from the participants in their own words. From top brass to civilians, from airfeild personnel to aircrews on both sides, this book creates, at times, a minute by minute experience of that day's events. My only complaint (and it's a small one) is the overall pacing. The first couple of chapters or so necesarily set the stage. The next chapters deal effectively with the attacks, but as the chapters progress, the action, and therefore the suspense, steadily dwindles. But while the book is hitting its stride it is just about impossible to put down! Highly recommended.