Battle of Britain books. Recommendations?

[Mr_Steven]

Wing Leader by Johnnie Johnson, phenomenal.

Really cool part about when they first encounter Focke Wulf 190's and nobody has any idea what the hell they are.

[philip.ed]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

Thanks Moggy (where did you get that name? Always had my suspicions!), I am also. I actually prefer Goshawk Squadron to Piece of Cake and must get the prequels sometime.

The prequels are brilliant! I read it in that order too, Dutch (Goshawk Squadron, then War Story and then Hornets Sting). BTW, if I were you, I'd buy Hornets Sting from Robinson directly. He self publishes now, which is far cheaper than the £60 Amazon charges! (he has his own website).

[kendo65]

A favourite of mine is The Hardest Day by Alfred Price. It's a bit different in that it's an in-depth account of one day - 18th August 1940 - told from perspective of both sides with a great sense of drama (there's a great account of the low-level raid on Kenley by Do17s).

Bungay reused some of the material in his book (also a great read)

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by philip.ed

The prequels are brilliant! I read it in that order too, Dutch (Goshawk Squadron, then War Story and then Hornets Sting). BTW, if I were you, I'd buy Hornets Sting from Robinson directly. He self publishes now, which is far cheaper than the £60 Amazon charges! (he has his own website).

Yep I know philip thanks.

Was on his website recently. I really like his approach to all of this stuff.

I registered with Rise of Flight as 'Major Woolley' funnily enough, and after a couple of times flying online, someone asked me, 'not Major Stanley Woolley?'

I answered 'the very same!'.

He responded with 'Honoured to meet you sir!'

I said 'Bugger off.' Which I thought was appropriate!

[philip.ed]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

Yep I know philip thanks.

Was on his website recently. I really like his approach to all of this stuff.

I registered with Rise of Flight as 'Major Woolley' funnily enough, and after a couple of times flying online, someone asked me, 'not Major Stanley Woolley?'

I answered 'the very same!'.

He responded with 'Honoured to meet you sir!'

I said 'Bugger off.' Which I thought was appropriate!

Hahaha LOL that's excellent *fighting the temptation to give away elements of Wooley's earlier character*

[Plt Off JRB Meaker]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

Brian Lane's Spitfire! is an excellent read, written shortly before his death in 1942.

PPP

+100
Absolute gem of a book,written from his memoirs during the big aerial fight of 1940.

[Moggy]

Originally Posted by philip.ed

The prequels are brilliant! I read it in that order too, Dutch (Goshawk Squadron, then War Story and then Hornets Sting). BTW, if I were you, I'd buy Hornets Sting from Robinson directly. He self publishes now, which is far cheaper than the £60 Amazon charges! (he has his own website).

I love the WWI book series as well, they just ooze Derek Robinson!

Strangely enough though, I never got on with the Piece of cake TV series made. It just lacked a certain something (Hurricanes aside) which the book captured brilliantly.

[philip.ed]

Originally Posted by Moggy

I love the WWI book series as well, they just ooze Derek Robinson!

Strangely enough though, I never got on with the Piece of cake TV series made. It just lacked a certain something (Hurricanes aside) which the book captured brilliantly.

Funnily enough, it was the serious that led me to the books! I mean the book itself far exceeds the series, but I loved watching the series, and I still have the VHS box-set (which I have since upgraded to DVD). I know that many people couldn't get along with the characters, including certain veterans, and until Paul Richey passed away, there was an ongoing lawsuit with Robinson regarding the event where Hart's props snap (which Richey's lawyer claimed was taken from his book).
Whilst on the subject, Paul Richey's book is another brilliant read too (funnily enough, I was able to pick up the original version qute cheaply, and it's intersting to see how all the names are blanked out because of the war).

[winny]

One more BoB book that's nice to own (you probably won't learn anything new)

The Battle of Britain Experience : Richard Overy
I scanned the back of the box it comes in to give you an idea...

It's main difference is it's facsimille documents. There are loads not mentioned on the back. Might be worth a look if you can find it.

Originally Posted by Catseye

Duel of Eagles by Peter Townsend.
You know, the Peter Townsend that was a Hurri pilot and was an item with Princess Ann back in the day.

Very detailed timelines comparing both sides. The development of the individuals, attitudes, systems, aircraft and the marrying of these individuals when they met in combat.

This is an excellent read IMHO. Far beyond the norm as it is written by a person who experienced it and who has a gripping narative combined with very detailed information from both sides.

Cheers

+1 .. reading the second half of this book at present. It's a good one.