The Battle of Britain

You sent the wrong book. I ordered Len Deighton’s book. You sent me a Time Life book. Extremely disappointed!

This 1980 book from Len Deighton is quite a volume concerning The Battle of Britain, the only other of equal stature for me was the one published by Salamander books in Summer, 2000, for the 60th anniversary of the battle, entitled THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN by author Richard Bickers. Other reviewers have summed up many of the salient qualities of Deighton's book but one element for me is that a few years earlier, May, 1978, he had issued a volume entitled FIGHTER: THE TRUE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN and those two books make ideal companion volumes for one another. As with the other volumes Len Deighton has issued on WWII, not enough for my liking though, this book on the battle in 1940 will be one you will return to again and again. Whether to read or use as reference it is a book many interested history buffs will want on their home library shelves. I know I am glad I do. Semper Fi.

This book provides an excellent overview of the the Battle of Britain. One gets the impression that this book was intended to be the pictorial compliment to the author's more in depth account of the battle 'Fighter'. Included are many photographs, drawings, charts and maps which help explain the battle on a day by day basis. The book also looks at air power and technology from 1918-1939, the rise of the Luftwaffe, aircraft designs and radar and some of the personalities involved with the battle. Included are many personal accounts from the combatants themselves that along with the pictorial content bring the battle to life. Some brief analysis is provided on where the RAF got it right and where the Luftwaffe got it wrong. Overall a delightful book which is an easy read and an excellent starting point of reference.

This is a great first book on the Battle of Britain. I have enjoyed many Max Hastings and Len Deighton history books because of their ability to make these subjects very readable. The book includes sections on the equipment of both sides of the Battle and keeps the book personal and interesting. The die hard history buffs will probably not care for this book as much as some because it lacks the thoroughness of an in-depth account. This book is excellent as an introduction to the Battle or military history in general.