Robert Westall's very special and gripping first novel for children, winner of the Carnegie Medal.
The Machine Gunners
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Review
...certainly the best war book I have ever read. It describes things very well and has a good story line. -- Sophie-Ann Leyland (Age 13) in The Historical Novels Review, May 02
Book Description
'Some bright kid's got a gun and 2000 rounds of live ammo. And that gun's no peashooter. It'll go through a brick wall at a quarter of a mile.' Chas McGill has the second-best collection of war souvenirs in Garmouth, and he desperately wants it to be the best. When he stumbles across the remains of a German bomber crashed in the woods - its shiny, black machine-gun still intact - he grabs his chance. Soon he's masterminding his own war effort with dangerous and unexpected results.... '.... not just the best book so far written for children about the Second World War, but also a metaphor for now.' Aidan Chambers, Times Literary Supplement
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was one of my favourite books as a child. I read and re-read my copy until the covers fell off, and even after reading it so many times I never failed to be thrilled by the story, excited and tense, even knowing the ending.
Chas McGill is a young boy growing up during the bombing raids of WW2. Like all young boys his age he is fascinated by the planes and plays imaginary war games with his gang. One day Chas discovers an extraordinary thing that turns his games into a reality and not only allows him to 'do his bit', but also makes him question what war is actually all about.
Westall wrote another book about Chas, Fathom Five, and although it is good, this for me will always be Westall's standout book. He also made Chas the subject of short stories, 'The Haunting of Chas McGill', which if you enjoy this, and I can't imagine that you won't, you will surely want to read to know what happens to Chas.
Westall also compiled a fascinating book in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum called 'Children of the Blitz'. He wrote The Machine Gunners mostly using his imagination, but when it became popular found that he was receiving letters from people who had grown up in the war who had had real life experiences like Chas'. Intrigued, he did some more research, and this book is a collection of first hand accounts of such episodes, which is fascinating and highly readable.
Chas McGill is a young boy growing up during the bombing raids of WW2. Like all young boys his age he is fascinated by the planes and plays imaginary war games with his gang. One day Chas discovers an extraordinary thing that turns his games into a reality and not only allows him to 'do his bit', but also makes him question what war is actually all about.
Westall wrote another book about Chas, Fathom Five, and although it is good, this for me will always be Westall's standout book. He also made Chas the subject of short stories, 'The Haunting of Chas McGill', which if you enjoy this, and I can't imagine that you won't, you will surely want to read to know what happens to Chas.
Westall also compiled a fascinating book in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum called 'Children of the Blitz'. He wrote The Machine Gunners mostly using his imagination, but when it became popular found that he was receiving letters from people who had grown up in the war who had had real life experiences like Chas'. Intrigued, he did some more research, and this book is a collection of first hand accounts of such episodes, which is fascinating and highly readable.
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
this is quite possibly on of the best books i have ever read! Westall is an excellent writer and this book shows that he is a master story teller. the detail is extraordinary, the story line deep and intruiging and the characters are a stroke of pure genius. Chas Mcgill , the main character, is incredibly realistic and one which many can relate with. Chas' quest for war souveniers leads him to discover a German machine gun. He sets up a dugout with the machine gun planted in it. Here he helps defend Garmouth from bombing raids. This novel is an excellent example of Westall's fine story telling talent and is a book for all ages, as we see children not only enjoying themselves but being independant and seperated from the adult world.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is totally captivating. With the Nazi aircrafts raining bombs on the town of Garmouth every night, there are many war souvenirs like bullet casings and nose cones of aircrafts. However, Chas Mc Gill finds a working machine guns that he extracts from a fallen aircraft with live bullets. This is a stunning tale of survival during war times packed with irresistable adventures. Chas and his friends build a secret fortress to fight the Germans and they have many interesting and smashing encounters along the way. They take care of a kind Nazi soldier, help their orphaned friend and have barrage balloons falling on them.The writing is superb throughout and the pace is sustained very well. Although there are some obscenities, I feel it adds realism and life to the story. The ending is poignant and extremely touching. I rate this as one of the best books that I have ever read.A fascinating and smashing read! I HIGHLY recommend this to everyone!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it as a kid, love it more as an adult
Great book, exciting read. I read this as a child and have wanted to revisit it for years. It takes you right to the heart of the action, right to the last page. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kate Payne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing book
What an amazing book I absolutely loved
it all of his other books are amazing and I really enjoyed them especially blitz
it all of his other books are amazing and I really enjoyed them especially blitz
Published 1 month ago by awesome gamer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
i used to live near the author and worked at the same place as his wife, but the book is brilliant
Published 1 month ago by jppatara
3.0 out of 5 stars
"It's OK......"
I'm sure this book is a very good read, but our discerning 11 year old son thought it was just "OK". He isn't a keen reader, so wouldn't take his judgement! Read more
Published 1 month ago by SMcC
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant!
this is possibly the best book I have ever read. Thats saying somthing seeing as I read books in a day, Westall is an exellent writer and after someone started to read to me this... Read more
Published 1 month ago by pArtonC4
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING
This is just an astounding book absolutely sensational if Robert Westall was still with us he would be capturing the minds of every reader that likes a good thrill
Published 3 months ago by owen robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
STILL AS GOOD
read this book as child several times and enjoyed t v programs in the 80`s. As an adult this book is even better than I remember
Published 4 months ago by L MCVICAR
5.0 out of 5 stars
Machine gunners
Takes back to child hood reading this book again still enjoable and my 10year old daughter like s it to
Published 5 months ago by toni wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first book I read cover to cover
I read this book when I was a kid, it was the first book i ever finished. I bought it for my son and he couldn't get enough of it either.
Published 5 months ago by G. Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent for young readers
This is a superb book especially for late primary age readers. It brings the second world war to life and asks key questions about the purpose of war.
Published 10 months ago by Paul
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