Making full use of archival sources, studies by other scholars, and information provided by family members, Vincent Orange has completed the first biography of Air Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding to cover his entire life. Soldier, pilot, wireless pioneer, squadron commander, spiritualist, champion skier, 'Stuffy' Dowding is perhaps best known as the creator of the first radar-based air defence system and his no less remarkable management of such throughout the Battle of Britain. Dowding served in 'delightful and dangerous Iraq', helped to pacify unrest in the Holy Land, was involved in the R.101 airship disaster and oversaw the creation of Britain's first eight-gun monoplanes, the Hurricane and Spitfire.Controversially dismissed from Fighter Command and refused the RAF's highest rank, he nevertheless became the first airman elevated to the peerage since Trenchard. Westminster Abbey was packed for his memorial service in March 1970 with more that 46 air marshals in attendance; and in 1988 HM the Queen Mother unveiled a statue in his honour. With his expert eye, respected historian Orange has analysed and evaluated every episode of Dowding's exceptional career to produce what will be seen as the definitive biography.
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Making full use of archival sources, previously completed studies by other scholars, and information provided by family members, the author has completed the first biography of Dowding to cover his entire life. This well written account is, quite simply, Dowding's life story! --Britain at War Magazine
a cracking good read backed by exceptional reasearch --Flypast Magazine
Vincent Orange has produced a intensely researched and fascinating biography backed up by detailed source notes and a bibliography containing much of interest to those who seek further information. --Britain at War
The personality of the man comes to life in these pages ... It is difficult to put down and so very absorbing. It must be on your shelf. Stunning. --Spitfire Magazine
a cracking good read backed by exceptional reasearch --Flypast Magazine
Vincent Orange has produced a intensely researched and fascinating biography backed up by detailed source notes and a bibliography containing much of interest to those who seek further information. --Britain at War
The personality of the man comes to life in these pages ... It is difficult to put down and so very absorbing. It must be on your shelf. Stunning. --Spitfire Magazine
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By James Walker
Format:Hardcover
It is one of Britain's greatest weaknesses - the inability of the establishment to tolerate or even recognise the talents of apolitical, blunt, task-oriented, difficult people. Thankfully though it is one of Britain's greatest strengths that they breed individuals with the vision, conviction and strength of character to be true to their beliefs and to take on the weaker, less imaginative but nevertheless influential minds of mediocre mandarins.
Men such as Dowding, Harris, Montgomery and indeed Churchill all came from being regarded as deplorable free-thinking, 'dangerous' mavericks to perform wonderful service for their country when the chips were down and Britain was reeling after 20yrs of military incompetence and political dithering. This book tells of Dowding's struggles against bureaucracy, ignorance, pig-headedness and spite in the Air Ministry and elsewhere.
It is an uplifting story, but one which reveals how close the bombastic, priggish and petty characters who held influence allowed themselves to put pride and personal enmity before Britain's welfare whilst at war.
A well-researched and nicely written book, not over-long but certainly not short of necessary evidence.
Men such as Dowding, Harris, Montgomery and indeed Churchill all came from being regarded as deplorable free-thinking, 'dangerous' mavericks to perform wonderful service for their country when the chips were down and Britain was reeling after 20yrs of military incompetence and political dithering. This book tells of Dowding's struggles against bureaucracy, ignorance, pig-headedness and spite in the Air Ministry and elsewhere.
It is an uplifting story, but one which reveals how close the bombastic, priggish and petty characters who held influence allowed themselves to put pride and personal enmity before Britain's welfare whilst at war.
A well-researched and nicely written book, not over-long but certainly not short of necessary evidence.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By RayB
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a very informative bigraphy. It explained many rumours that exist. It also showed the mind set of the RAF during the wars and the biggest enemy of all - the Ministry buracrats who thought they were arm chair generals.
If you read this, then you need to read Bomber Offensive by Sir Arthur Harris who had many of the same challenges for Bomber Command as Dowding had for Fighter Command. If it were not for Dowding and Harris who had Command at the time, it is debatable if UK would have withstood the enemy so well. It was a good read and recommended.
If you read this, then you need to read Bomber Offensive by Sir Arthur Harris who had many of the same challenges for Bomber Command as Dowding had for Fighter Command. If it were not for Dowding and Harris who had Command at the time, it is debatable if UK would have withstood the enemy so well. It was a good read and recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended
A very well written book giving an in-depth and thoroughly interesting insight into Sir Hugh Dowding - the man, his life and his considerable achievements. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr J C W of South Cerney, Cirencester
3.0 out of 5 stars
Workmanlike but lacking depth
As an admirer of Professor Orange's earlier works, I found this treatment of Dowding very disappointing. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Plausible Denial
5.0 out of 5 stars
A most enlightening read
I have just finished reading this well crafted and intelligently written biography of Sir Hugh Dowding and am delighted to report that this book is definitely well worth the read. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by Mrs. TK Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dowding of Fighter Command by Vincent Orange
A fine read. How on earth this country won this war, with the totally out of touch so called heads of The Air Ministry and the RAF is beyond belief. Read more
Published on 13 May 2009 by Kevin J. Conroy
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