Stephen Bungay’s magisterial history is acclaimed as the account of the Battle of Britain.
Unrivalled for its synthesis of all previous historical accounts, for the quality of its strategic analysis and its truly compulsive narrative, this is a book ultimately distinguished by its conclusions – that it was the British in the Battle who displayed all the virtues of efficiency, organisation and even ruthlessness we habitually attribute to the Germans, and they who fell short in their amateurism, ill-preparedness, poor engineering and even in their old-fashioned notions of gallantry.
An engrossing read for the military scholar and the general reader alike, this is a classic of military history that looks beyond the mythology, to explore all the tragedy and comedy; the brutality and compassion of war.
Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain
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'The most exhaustive and detailed account of the Battle of Britain that has yet appeared'- ; - --Times Lietrary Supplement
'A fascinating case history in illusion and reality. He dispels the myths and kills the cliches... Admirable' --Godfrey Smith, Sunday Times
'A fascinating case history in illusion and reality. He dispels the myths and kills the cliches... Admirable' --Godfrey Smith, Sunday Times
From the Publisher
A compelling read for the military scholar and general reader alike, this is a classic of military history. Stephen Bungay's magisterial account of the Battle of Britain questions the truth behind the myths and his investigation affords some surprising revelations about the battle for the skies. `The Most Dangerous Enemy' provides a comprehensive and thoughtful insight into one of the most important events in our country's past.
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150 of 151 people found the following review helpful
By Victor
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
There are so many books available on the Battle of Britain, but this is the best I've read. A healthy and fascinating mix of anecdote, opinion, and solid research give this book so many dimensions missing in others that cover this important historical event.
Other authors have emphasised how close-run this event was - how Britain avoided defeat at the hands of the Luftwaffe by a hair's-breadth. I've never been entirely convinced by this. I could never put my finger on why, which is why I probably read so many books on this subject. But thankfully Bungay hits the nail on the head with a view that is contrary to the consensus: the British war machine was far more efficient than the Germans'; that the Germans didn't have the industrial capacity to replace the aircraft lost over England. And, crucially, the genius of Park and Dowding's organisation of the defence was such that the Luftwaffe was far from achieving a certain victory.
Everything is brilliantly explained: the tactics, the aircraft, the pilots, the politics, and much that has been neglected in the past such as the role of Bomber Command, and a decent explanation of why the famous "Big Wing" was such a bad idea.
Stick with the book to the end and you will be amused by Bungay's ironic quips, and moved when he delves deeper into the lives of some of the pilots. He rightly laments the sorry status this battle has in WWII history, pointing out that it's the world, not just Britain, that owes a debt of gratitude to the pilots.
What is profoundly sad is the knowledge that this breed is dying out - an example is the story of the retired Spitfire pilot who didn't mention his role in the battle, quietly working in his garage, content to be anonymous. One day, his secret is out, and the reaction is very moving.... Read more ›
Other authors have emphasised how close-run this event was - how Britain avoided defeat at the hands of the Luftwaffe by a hair's-breadth. I've never been entirely convinced by this. I could never put my finger on why, which is why I probably read so many books on this subject. But thankfully Bungay hits the nail on the head with a view that is contrary to the consensus: the British war machine was far more efficient than the Germans'; that the Germans didn't have the industrial capacity to replace the aircraft lost over England. And, crucially, the genius of Park and Dowding's organisation of the defence was such that the Luftwaffe was far from achieving a certain victory.
Everything is brilliantly explained: the tactics, the aircraft, the pilots, the politics, and much that has been neglected in the past such as the role of Bomber Command, and a decent explanation of why the famous "Big Wing" was such a bad idea.
Stick with the book to the end and you will be amused by Bungay's ironic quips, and moved when he delves deeper into the lives of some of the pilots. He rightly laments the sorry status this battle has in WWII history, pointing out that it's the world, not just Britain, that owes a debt of gratitude to the pilots.
What is profoundly sad is the knowledge that this breed is dying out - an example is the story of the retired Spitfire pilot who didn't mention his role in the battle, quietly working in his garage, content to be anonymous. One day, his secret is out, and the reaction is very moving.... Read more ›
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By Black Prince
Format:Paperback
I am a Rolls-Royce nut - the firm not the car; and knowing that 75% RAF aircraft flew with Merlin engines shows just how much depended on PV-12 and Royce and Hives; for a company which had to be ordered by the Government to enter the aero-engine business in 1915 !
I enjoyed this book, it straightened out a few myths and built a few more. I recall seeing a family grave with the name of a son, an RAF pilot KIA in September 1939, shot down over the Channel in "friendly fire" - reading Bungay's book shows how close contact killing did not avoid mistakes, the rapidity of decision-making with that gunsight and burst of firing meant you killed your own occasionally.
I ike the way he gives details of the aircraft, both sides, and lets you see where these JG and KG planes were coming from.....and when you think of a man with 8-Brownings and limited ammunition, it is a remarkable achievement to survive such close encounters.
I wish there had been more on #.303 Krakowski Polish Squadron - the highest scoring; and a bit more about #.310 Czechs, and the amazing Josef Frantisek who fled Czechoslovakia in 1938 to fly with the Poles; then with the Poles in France; and then in PAF in England.
I really liked this book...it reads well, and is beautifully written with good turns of phrase and a light touch. I shall haul out my old Battle of Britain video now to watch Terevor Howard in his role as Keith Park and Lawrence Olivier as Dowding.........
.........and I shall feel a sense of shame......at how miserably these men were treated after the War.....
... Read more ›22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By P. Carter
Format:Paperback
This is the best book I have read on the BoB. It not only looks at the grand strategy but also deals with the people who took part. The final chapter is the most moving chapter of history I have ever read, it brings you close to the people who took part. Stalin said that Russia provided the blood, America the money and the British the time, and this book shows that they also provided the vision- or should I say Churchill's vision. The most ironic thing is that the hero of the book is from New Zealand- Park. I have never recommended a book before but I have no hesitation in recommendimg this one
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The Most Dangerous Enemy is a very appealing book, telling the stories of the front-line airmen on both sides, and the figures in command, fitting genuine human interest into the over-all picture of the battle. This makes the book a very exciting read, and brings the history to life. Stephen Bungay has evidently done very thorough research for this book, and there is a great deal of information woven through the individual stories.
I felt that this book got exactly the right balance between factual detail of the battle, and a gripping read about the people who actually fought it. A considerable achievement, equally of interest to the general public and historians.
I felt that this book got exactly the right balance between factual detail of the battle, and a gripping read about the people who actually fought it. A considerable achievement, equally of interest to the general public and historians.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
No, it isn't the shout of a German tourist on his way to the Indianapolis 500, enthusiastic about reaching the Indiana border. It's the shout of a German bomber or fighter pilot, spotting an approaching Spitfire or Hurricane. However, mentioning the Indianapolis 500 isn't as unrelated as it seems. Mr. Bungay compares putting a recently trained pilot into the Battle of Britain to taking someone who has just obtained their drivers license and entering them in a Grand Prix motor race. Only, imagine the other drivers have machine guns! After you read this book you will have an even healthier respect for what the pilots of the RAF and the Luftwaffe had to go through. Imagine flying at 250-300 miles per hour and trying to pick out an opponent amongst a bunch of specks around and above and below you, trying to get behind one of them and hoping to get off a 2-3 second machine gun burst while attempting to get in some quick glances to make sure no one is sneaking up on you! You had a very good chance of not surviving your first few missions. If you got past the first few missions you then had enough experience to have a pretty good chance of surviving, but it was unlikely that you would become an ace. An ace was defined as a pilot that had made 5 kills. Mr. Bungay estmates that only about 5% of the pilots on either side became aces, because it was a rare person who could be both a great pilot and an accurate marksman under the circumstances. The author asserts that the Luftwaffe never really came close to winning the Battle of Britain. German Intelligence overestimated the number of RAF planes they were shooting down and underestimated the ability of British industry to replace the aircraft that were destroyed. The Germans hoped to win a war of attrition.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
'The Few' - an authentic history
Gives a much more 'in-depth' commentary on the Bof B with authentic views and comments from both sides. Read more
Published 13 hours ago by Jack Dawes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Battle of Britain Exposed
A lot of work went into this book. I particularly liked the input taken from German sources. It is a slow read and not a book to be read from cover to cover in a single... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Dyna Myke
3.0 out of 5 stars
How we stopped an invasion.
Of great interest but not a very exciting narration. Difficult to read any info. off the graphics. I did not find the bibliography needed.
Published 1 day ago by frenchy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
By far the best overall analytic assessment of the B of B that I have read. Covers every aspect, political, strategic, tactical and personal in an easily readable form. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Canopener
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed background
I thought that I was quite knowledgeable about the background to the BoB but this book really provided a good deal of (for me at least) new information and obscure facts. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Dave Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very well researched
Probably the most accurate and concise account of The Battle of Britain I have read.
It is also a usefull source of reference. Well written Mr Bungay.
It is also a usefull source of reference. Well written Mr Bungay.
Published 4 days ago by Phil54
5.0 out of 5 stars
How the West was Saved
This book is full of documentary information yet it is a very compulsive read. A 'must have' for any student of W.W. Read more
Published 5 days ago by John Hurd
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fight for survival.
This is one of the very best books on the Battle of Britain.
It is a fact that the Brits were far more efficient than the Germans who threw all their eggs into one basket... Read more
It is a fact that the Brits were far more efficient than the Germans who threw all their eggs into one basket... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Music Lover
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is an excellent analysis of the Battle of Britain
The analysis is balanced, thorough and wide ranging. It covers topics with any connection to the Battle including all the main protagonists from Britain, Germany and America. Read more
Published 7 days ago by J. R. Ashby
4.0 out of 5 stars
Flyboy
Well written but not much not already in the public domain. Will watch out for further offerings by the aothor.
Published 8 days ago by Sqn Ldr Raymond Leach
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