- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: The History Press Ltd (27 Jun 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0750943882
- ISBN-13: 978-0750943888
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 16.3 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,162,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Blockade Breakers: The Berlin Airlift
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
In June 2008, the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift will be celebrated. The Berlin Airlift represents one of the most dramatic humanitarian efforts of the postwar era and was a strikingly successful example of British and American co-operation. Furthermore, it was an event which made a major contribution towards turning a wartime enemy into a Cold- War ally. As an American historian who has lived in Berlin for the last twenty years, Helena Schrader commemorates the Blockade Breakers of the Berlin Airlift and the impact they had on Allied-German relations. The book recreates the excitement and tension of the period by reminding the reader that the success of the Airlift was by no means a foregone conclusion. At the core of the book are two themes: the enormous logistical challenges posed by the Airlift and the complicated relationship between Berliners and the Western Allies.
About the Author
HELENA SCHRADER is an American historian (BA University Michigan 1975, MA University of Kentucky 1977, PhD University of Hamburg 1991), who has lived in Berlin for the last twenty years. She witnessed at first hand the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Helena works for the US Foreign Service.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having read two of Helena Schrader's novels (Chasing the Wind and The Lady in the Spitfire)and thoroughly enjoyed them I thought I'd try one of her factual books. While I had a vague awareness of the Berlin Airlift, I've always thought of it as just a few planes flying in some food for a while. After reading this book I now have a much better appreciation of what a monumental task the "Berlin Airlift" was and it's political and symbolic importance at the time.
I found the book to be clearly written and easy to read. In fact it became a real 'page turner' for me. While descriptions of the flying conditions comprise much of the book, the early chapters give a fascinating insight into the political situation in Berlin immediately after the end of the war in Europe particularly with the Soviet Union's ambitions for Germany and liberated Europe. There is also a considerable material and intriguing facts about the wider 'logistical' challengers faced, from expanding airfields with very limited resources available to the impact on spare parts. One example quoted was that 6 months' worth of windscreen wipers was used up in 12 days. Another was the fact that because duffle bags lasted longer than conventional coal sacks the supply of duffle bags became a critical item and the US was replacing them at a rate of 850,000 a month.
As noted by the previous reviewer, the author gives a very fair and considered account of the part played by all participants including the Royal Air Force, civilian operators and German civilians.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in 20th Century European history and/or an interest in logistical challenges.
I found the book to be clearly written and easy to read. In fact it became a real 'page turner' for me. While descriptions of the flying conditions comprise much of the book, the early chapters give a fascinating insight into the political situation in Berlin immediately after the end of the war in Europe particularly with the Soviet Union's ambitions for Germany and liberated Europe. There is also a considerable material and intriguing facts about the wider 'logistical' challengers faced, from expanding airfields with very limited resources available to the impact on spare parts. One example quoted was that 6 months' worth of windscreen wipers was used up in 12 days. Another was the fact that because duffle bags lasted longer than conventional coal sacks the supply of duffle bags became a critical item and the US was replacing them at a rate of 850,000 a month.
As noted by the previous reviewer, the author gives a very fair and considered account of the part played by all participants including the Royal Air Force, civilian operators and German civilians.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in 20th Century European history and/or an interest in logistical challenges.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having always been fascinated by the Berlin Airlift and a frequent visitor to Berlin over many years I have read most of the accounts of the Airlift in print.
This is by far and away the best one I have read - not perfect but very, very good indeed. Although written by an American it the first account I have read that give due credence to Britain's contribution to the enterprise which was a pleasant change.
It is an interesting mixture of plain history, personal accounts and discussion, which despite the mix has the sense to retain a chronological narrative unlike the ramblings of, for instance, the Sutherland and Canwell acount, or the Andrei Cherny one.
Hers is also the first account that properly emphasizes that tonnage wasn't everything - we have this lovely view of planes flying in sacks of food for the starving city, whereas in fact almost 70% of all the loads by weight, especially the US ones in the bigger C-54s, was coal!
This is by far and away the best one I have read - not perfect but very, very good indeed. Although written by an American it the first account I have read that give due credence to Britain's contribution to the enterprise which was a pleasant change.
It is an interesting mixture of plain history, personal accounts and discussion, which despite the mix has the sense to retain a chronological narrative unlike the ramblings of, for instance, the Sutherland and Canwell acount, or the Andrei Cherny one.
Hers is also the first account that properly emphasizes that tonnage wasn't everything - we have this lovely view of planes flying in sacks of food for the starving city, whereas in fact almost 70% of all the loads by weight, especially the US ones in the bigger C-54s, was coal!
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