The Battle of Britain – The Myth and the Reality - Softcover

Overy, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393322971 ISBN 13: 9780393322972

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002

Synopsis

The battle of Britain pitted the Hurricanes and Spitfires of the Royal Air Force against the Messerschmitts of Hitler's Luftwaffe in the skies over England in 1940. It was immortalized in Churchill's words, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few," but it has since been debunked by revisionists as an inconclusive and even strategically flawed encounter for the British. In this assessment of the battle, Richard Overy restores the historical balance. He delivers shrewd judgments on the critical elements for both sides, from strategy to leadership, command organization, communications, and training to the technology of fighters, bombers, and radar. Overy shows that even if the popular myth overshoots the mark, the significance of the battle remains undiminished in the light of realistic judgments. A necessary battle, it marked the end of Germany's string of victories, forestalled a German invasion, and kept Britain in the war.

About this title

Review:

As an objective reassessment of this most critical of struggles, cogently argued and concisely written, The Battle of Britain is hard to beat (Saul David Sunday Telegraph)

A captivating and readable analysis of the fragile circumstances of Britain's victory (Observer)

Succeeds brilliantly ... puts the battle in context, and along the way a lot of myths bite the dust (Robin Knight Time)

Brilliant (The Economist)

From the Back Cover:

'It is harder to imagine a sounder and more succinct account of the Battle of Britain' Max Hastings, Evening Standard

The extraordinary struggle between British and German air forces in 1940 was one of the pivotal events of the Second World War. How close did Britain really come to invasion during this time? What were Hitler and Churchill's motives? And what was the battle's real effect on the outcome of the war? Destroying many myths about the conflict, The Battle of Britain is the best introduction available to a defining moment in British history.

'No individual British victory after Trafalgar was more decisive in challenging the course of a major war than the Battle of Britain ... the best historical analysis in readable form which has yet appeared on this prime subject' Noble Frankland, The Times Literary Supplement

'The Battle of Britain is hard to beat' Saul David, Sunday Telegraph

'Exemplary ... a compelling account' Boyd Tonkin, Independent

'Succeeds brilliantly ... along the way a lot of myths bite the dust' Time

'A captivating and brilliant analysis of the fragile circumstances of Britain's victory' Observer

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0393322971
• ISBN 13: 9780393322972
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192