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Review
'Completely riveting ... as gripping as any Tom Clancy thriller' --Jeremy Clarkson
From the cockpit of a fighter jet to the violently pitching deck of an aircraft carrier at night ... combines pulse-pounding tension with riveting detail. If only all military history was written like this ...' --Andy McNab
'A remarkable story told with skill and dedication ... I enjoyed it. And I learnt a lot' --Len Deighton
From the cockpit of a fighter jet to the violently pitching deck of an aircraft carrier at night ... combines pulse-pounding tension with riveting detail. If only all military history was written like this ...' --Andy McNab
'A remarkable story told with skill and dedication ... I enjoyed it. And I learnt a lot' --Len Deighton
Review
From the cockpit of a fighter jet to the violently pitching deck of an aircraft carrier at night ... combines pulse-pounding tension with riveting detail. If only all military history was written like this ...'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
From the author of the superb Vulcan 607 this is another well detailed and informative account of an urgent and technically demanding long rage mission by Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer strike aircraft launched from HMS Ark Royal in January 1972 in order to deter Guatemalan aggression against Britsh Honduras (now Belize).The book encompasses the story behind the moves by Guatemala as well as HMS Ark Royal's operations in the year leading up to the event.The story is told from the perspectives of many of those involved,not just the aircrews but the British government at the time as well as many others. There are also photographs and technical information included and the gripping story reads like a techno-thriller although it is all fact.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was impressed - and I can say this now I've read the book - having been sceptical about how an author could bring to life a story that was but the smallest blip on the calendar of history.
But Rowland really does. And more importantly he compels you into thinking it was THE historical event of the time, nestled in amongst the 30+ years of the Cold War, that could have turned the tide in South American politics, UK reputation and UK/US relations.
There is no disputing my ignorance of the South American region and the political landscape of the 60's and 70's that caused the ebb and flow of regional tension; I have always been much more acutely focussed on how the UK and the labour government almost dismantled the Royal Navy and handed over good but well worn aircraft to the RAF instead of TSR2 or F-16.
But this book bounces you along in a manner similar to the purposeful, powerful and proud Ark Royal as she drove north through the rough waters of the North Atlantic. It just keeps you going. The parallels he draws for the current state of the UK military, the Royal Navy in particular, makes stark reading.
The detail he dragged from those embarked in the squadrons at the time brought conventional carrier aviation to life in a way that I found raised my pulse and breathing rate on every launch. By cleverly weaving in the detail of the diplomatic and political aspects of both the Cold War issues and that of the key focus, Belize, allows to you to take a well earned pause between the flying action that only a carrier can make so dramatic. The bonus feature of course is that fact that I'm now much more knowledgeable about the period and the era than ever I was before.
Rowland has crafted a book for all ages that I have read; my father in law is now glued to and is soon to be tagged by my son once he can prise it from his wizened fingers.
Excellent detail (just look at the pages of acknowledgements) allied to a wonderful, flowing style makes the action leap out of the pages at you.
Whatever he writes next let's hope it's sooner rather than later.
But Rowland really does. And more importantly he compels you into thinking it was THE historical event of the time, nestled in amongst the 30+ years of the Cold War, that could have turned the tide in South American politics, UK reputation and UK/US relations.
There is no disputing my ignorance of the South American region and the political landscape of the 60's and 70's that caused the ebb and flow of regional tension; I have always been much more acutely focussed on how the UK and the labour government almost dismantled the Royal Navy and handed over good but well worn aircraft to the RAF instead of TSR2 or F-16.
But this book bounces you along in a manner similar to the purposeful, powerful and proud Ark Royal as she drove north through the rough waters of the North Atlantic. It just keeps you going. The parallels he draws for the current state of the UK military, the Royal Navy in particular, makes stark reading.
The detail he dragged from those embarked in the squadrons at the time brought conventional carrier aviation to life in a way that I found raised my pulse and breathing rate on every launch. By cleverly weaving in the detail of the diplomatic and political aspects of both the Cold War issues and that of the key focus, Belize, allows to you to take a well earned pause between the flying action that only a carrier can make so dramatic. The bonus feature of course is that fact that I'm now much more knowledgeable about the period and the era than ever I was before.
Rowland has crafted a book for all ages that I have read; my father in law is now glued to and is soon to be tagged by my son once he can prise it from his wizened fingers.
Excellent detail (just look at the pages of acknowledgements) allied to a wonderful, flowing style makes the action leap out of the pages at you.
Whatever he writes next let's hope it's sooner rather than later.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
To get the horrible bit out of the way first, no, it isn't quite as good as Vulcan 607 in my opinion, but then that was the true story of a mission where far more things could go wrong and it was set during an actual shooting war. The slightly heavier political dimension in this book does tend to take you out of the action a bit.
Phoenix Squadron is, however, just as readable and told in similar style which turns what could have been a dry account of the usefulness of carrier air power into a tense and always interesting story. For those unfamiliar with the history of the UK's carrier force since WWII the sheer suicidal danger involved will be an eye opener, and the mixture of anecdotes and the main arc of the story weave in and out nicely. I particularly enjoyed the bits illustrating the contrast between FAA pilots and their USN counterparts!
How useful those Buccaneers and Phantoms could have been in the South Atlantic just a few short years after a short sighted government disposed of the RN's most valuable and practical assets. Defence cuts so often save money and cost lives - here's a book to provide a practical demonstration of how expensive 'toys' can save you a great deal.
Phoenix Squadron is, however, just as readable and told in similar style which turns what could have been a dry account of the usefulness of carrier air power into a tense and always interesting story. For those unfamiliar with the history of the UK's carrier force since WWII the sheer suicidal danger involved will be an eye opener, and the mixture of anecdotes and the main arc of the story weave in and out nicely. I particularly enjoyed the bits illustrating the contrast between FAA pilots and their USN counterparts!
How useful those Buccaneers and Phantoms could have been in the South Atlantic just a few short years after a short sighted government disposed of the RN's most valuable and practical assets. Defence cuts so often save money and cost lives - here's a book to provide a practical demonstration of how expensive 'toys' can save you a great deal.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
AN UNUSUAL EVENT
I found this to be an informative read about and event I knew little about. I would recommend this to those who like a good military read.
Published 8 days ago by Portlander
Worth Reading
I really enjoyed this book about a little known operation performed in the early seventies by the Fleet Air Arm. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Von Gutersloh
I was there!
I discovered this book languishing on the shelf in the appartment we rented this year in Majorca. Astonishing, as I was unaware that someone had written about this episode - a mad... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mid
A Brilliant Historical Account of something I never knew about!
Having read and been captivated by Vulcan 607 while on holiday last year I looked for more from the Author. Read more
Published 12 months ago by DBM
Expected a bit more...
I bought this book having read an earlier Rowland White effort, the excellent Vulcan 607.
Although Phoenix Squadron is well written, with lots of detail, I have to say... Read more
Although Phoenix Squadron is well written, with lots of detail, I have to say... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Craig
Flying low under the radar to deliver ...
... all 5 stars!
Rowland White has done it again. Vulcan 607 was brilliant and so is this. Read more
Rowland White has done it again. Vulcan 607 was brilliant and so is this. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Winston Bugle
Gripping book
Brilliantly written book about an event that I had no knowledge of, well worth reading will have you gripped from start to end.
Published 15 months ago by Tondoz
Where's Your Buccaneers?
I really enjoyed the book. It was a relatively minor incident in itself but the author does a great job of giving sufficient background to understand the event and those involved... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Perry Gamsby
good explanatory book
Must admit that one of the reasons i made this purchase was because i was stationed in British Honduras at this time with the Grenadier Guards,
it bought to mind that it was... Read more
it bought to mind that it was... Read more
Published 15 months ago by David Bradwell
Lost skills
I would highly recommend PHOENIX SQUADRON without the slightest hesitation. Anyone with an interest in good well researched military books will lap this one up. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Andy
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