- Hardcover: 286 pages
- Publisher: Castle Books,US; New edition edition (1 Jun 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0785812083
- ISBN-13: 978-0785812081
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 15.4 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,438,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
"Deighton has managed to give the whole event a clarity which it lacked. Above all, the machines mattered, and on those he is tremendous."-"New Statesman"
"Compelling reading."-"Financial Times" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
"Compelling reading."-"Financial Times" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
Len Deighton's Bestselling history of the Battle of Britain is generally regarded as the finest there is.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the most valuable summary in print of the RAF's challenge to Nazi Germany's invasion plans for the British Isles. Beginning by describing how 'history is swamped by patriotic myths about the summer of 1940', Deighton invalidates any theories of heroes versus villains in this account. The Nazi war machine swept across Western Europe in a stunning series of victories. Only the English Channel and the RAF remained as the final barriers to invasion. It was the Luftwaffe's burden to remove the second obstacle leaving the first to be crossed with minimal opposition. Deighton's excellent account shows how close the Luftwaffe came to success. In fact, credit for the RAF's accomplishment may well come to rest on the shoulders of one man, Hugh Dowding.
Deighton takes us through the background of weapons development, from radar to the tracer bullet, explaining how the two sides were closely matched in technology. The long-standing dispute over whether the Bf109 or the Spitfire was superior rests only on how far the pilots were prepared to push their aircraft. The number of pilots in opposition are another matter. For every active RAF pilot, the Germans had four fighter pilots or bomber crews, ranging from central France to the Norwegian coast.. Deighton explains how Dowding husbanded his resources, enabling him to keep sending aircraft against the bomber fleets. All logic suggested the RAF should have been destroyed, but Dowding's strategy and pilot skill resulted in postponement of the German invasion.
Deighton brings clarity to this complex period by breaking the story into four main themes. Keeping the daily events of the battle until last, his prepatory chapters show vividly what the pilots faced and what factors led to victory or defeat. Readers of his fiction know how well he presents characters. This historical account also displays that talent admirably. Commanders, pilots, ground forces all come to life in his depiction. There are both good and bad at all levels and he pulls no punches in discussing them all.
To those who feel Fighter is simply 'military history', it must be stressed that the Summer of 1940 was a magnificent expression of human endeavour. Pilot and crew bravery, tenacity in striving for goals on both sides is presented with Deighton's fine prose. Deighton shows that today's world would be drastically different had the Luftwaffe succeeded in its attempt to clear the way for an invasion. This book is a choice selection for an understanding of what the Battle of Britain was all about.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I started this book hoping for a potted history of the BoB, as my own was sorely lacking. Yet I dreaded a constant barrage of statistics and technical details. I was therefore pleasantly surprised to find them relegated to mere background detail, as they should be. This allowed me to focus on the men involved, at both the top and in the air.
I praise Deighton for having the honesty to tell a largely English readership that the Battle was seen as having little consequence with German High Command, and in particular Hitler. To be truthful enough to admit that it was almost a propoganda battle, rather than a vital strategic military one was extremely brave. Deighton then delighted me by going on to describe the bitter political wranglings that were occuring in the background on both sides. I could not believe the treatment of Dowding for one.
Although I have read more engaging military accounts of other WWII battles ("Stalingrad" springs to mind), I still enjoyed ploughing through it. A lot of this was due to the logical progression of events leading up to, and during the Battle itself. I recommend this to anyone, who like I did, wanted a clearer idea of why so much was owed by so many to so few.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An astonishing, eye opening and, perhaps to some, controversial history of a decisive phase in the Battle of Britain and the defence of the nation. Absolutely fascinating. Concentrates on the machines, the politics, the tactics,the technology. I learned a lot and found many myths dispelled.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fighter
Brilliant. Len Deighton's research is fantastic. He takes through the men and the machines the plots and the sub plots on both sides of the Channel. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mr. M. D. Brocket
odd - patchy and below par
I respect Deighton's work - and truly expected something both good to read and full of fascinating insight. Unfortunately the book sort of falls short on both. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Tim
The Triumph of the Good Guys Over the Bad (and the latter are not the...
The truth promised in the sub-title is of human failing - mostly the lack of leadership and cooperation among the very highest ranks on both sides. Read more
Published 21 months ago by The Kinniburgh Kid
outsider sees most of the game
Although it is now ancient, the fact remains that like all his reviews of historical fact, Deighton does what professional historians are supposed to do all the time: review... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. C. Berg
Good history telling the individuals stories
I read this having loved Bomber by the same author. If you have read bomber, you will not recognise this as it is not a novel, more a write up of the stories as told by individual... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. A. Moore
Deighton at his best
In terms of combining a good narrative story and great technical details, Len is second to none, one of the great unsung masters of post war literature.
Published 23 months ago by Bruce Stephen Bettridge
Air War Books
[[ASIN:1845951069 Fighter: The True Story of the Battle of Britain]
I am not mad on lLeighton's style. To many facts and not enough narrative.
I am not mad on lLeighton's style. To many facts and not enough narrative.
Published on 31 Dec 2009 by jim foster
The True Story of the Battle of Britain
Good coverage of a critical event in our history. To get both sides of the story makes for a worthwhile read.
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by JerryO
A competent retelling of the Battle of Britain story
Deighton explains the story well, from setting the stage with the major characters and background, to a detailed post-match analysis. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2000
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