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Review
'...a definitive history of the Battle, now presented in fully-illustrated large format. Stephen Bungay describes the gripping human story, along with contemporary photographs of planes, pilots, and military and political leaders of both sides...and many other fascinating elements.'
-- Best Of British Magazine, July
'...one of the most comprehensive accounts of the battle yet published.'
-- Britain at War, September, 2010
-- Best Of British Magazine, July
'...one of the most comprehensive accounts of the battle yet published.'
-- Britain at War, September, 2010
Product Description
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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stephen Bungay's original release of 'The Most Dangerous Enemy' was rightly regarded as a classic and deservedly so. A fantastic piece of work, it was not only eminently readable but also became a reference in its own right. Two copies have graced my shelves and, as someone with a keen interest in the Battle of Britain, it is still a book I can return to again and again.
I therefore ordered the 'illustrated' version as soon as it was announced with the intention of having it signed by veterans at upcoming airshows. I have now had a couple of days to review the large size hardback which is beautifully printed and has a good selection of B&W and colour photos, most of which will be familiar to BoB enthusiasts.Also added are extra tables, diagrams on tactics, profiles etc.
First issue however is that photos from the original release appear to be missing, a pity in my opinion as some were actually rather good with detailed captions as well.
Second point and a significant one for me is that the text has been edited in areas,albeit carefully to reduce wordcount whilst still maintaining the overall commentary. The font, as befits a hardback, is of a reasonable size and I did wonder how circa 490 pages in the paperback had been reduced to around 270 in the hardback. It appears that the text has been simplified in some areas which can be spotted if you compare the original version with the new 'illustrated' edition. Some Appendices are also missing as is the comprehensive 'Notes' section. Does this affect the quality of the writing or the overall message? No, not really but if you are expecting an illustrated version of the original with the same written content, you might well be a little disappointed. A pity that the publisher hasn't made some distinction between the editions.
However, someone new to 'The Most Dangerous Enemy' will I think still be very impressed with this book and on that level it will not disappoint. If you are a real Battle Of Britain enthusiast and haven't got the original edition, The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain, I would however strongly recommend that you also get it! Then you will fully understand the totally deserved praise for the original work.
3/5 for although the book is still an excellent one in its own right, I feel that it is a great pity that the publisher did not give some indication that this was in some areas an abridged version of the original. As a BoB enthusiast, I am however happy to have both the original and the new 'illustrated' version!
I therefore ordered the 'illustrated' version as soon as it was announced with the intention of having it signed by veterans at upcoming airshows. I have now had a couple of days to review the large size hardback which is beautifully printed and has a good selection of B&W and colour photos, most of which will be familiar to BoB enthusiasts.Also added are extra tables, diagrams on tactics, profiles etc.
First issue however is that photos from the original release appear to be missing, a pity in my opinion as some were actually rather good with detailed captions as well.
Second point and a significant one for me is that the text has been edited in areas,albeit carefully to reduce wordcount whilst still maintaining the overall commentary. The font, as befits a hardback, is of a reasonable size and I did wonder how circa 490 pages in the paperback had been reduced to around 270 in the hardback. It appears that the text has been simplified in some areas which can be spotted if you compare the original version with the new 'illustrated' edition. Some Appendices are also missing as is the comprehensive 'Notes' section. Does this affect the quality of the writing or the overall message? No, not really but if you are expecting an illustrated version of the original with the same written content, you might well be a little disappointed. A pity that the publisher hasn't made some distinction between the editions.
However, someone new to 'The Most Dangerous Enemy' will I think still be very impressed with this book and on that level it will not disappoint. If you are a real Battle Of Britain enthusiast and haven't got the original edition, The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain, I would however strongly recommend that you also get it! Then you will fully understand the totally deserved praise for the original work.
3/5 for although the book is still an excellent one in its own right, I feel that it is a great pity that the publisher did not give some indication that this was in some areas an abridged version of the original. As a BoB enthusiast, I am however happy to have both the original and the new 'illustrated' version!
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've had the paperback edition of Dr Bungay's book for a number of years; it's simply - still - the best book on the Battle of Britain: comprehensive, analytical, gripping narrative, uncovers new evidence, dispels myths, and demonstrates convincingly why the RAF won and why it matters. The new hardback is in large format, beautifully produced and lavishly illustrated with photos, maps and diagrams which aid your understanding of the text. If you're at all interested in the Battle of Britain I don't see how you can afford to be without a copy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In deciding to produce a lavishly illustrated but abridged edition of Bungay's definitive work on the Battle of Britain, Aurum Press set itself a considerable challenge. How was it to preserve the depth of scholarship and the passion of the original, while making it more accessible to new readers? How not to alienate the enthusiastic followers that this work and "Alamein" had inspired with a new understanding of these events?
Happily the challenge has been well met. The new edition is not only a pleasure to own (and another reason to delay buying that Kindle); it is immensely informative in a way more history books for laymen should be. The 12 pages of photographs of the original have been replaced by (literally) hundreds more, giving insights into the men and their machines that neatly complement the text. Maps are invaluable and well selected and placed. Most fascinating of all are the diagrams of tactics.
This has been achieved at the expense of some text, but most of what has been lost (the Preface, most of the notes and the start of The Eagles chapter, for instance) involves reflections that are not central to the development of the narrative. What remains tells the full story as Bungay told it and it remains a remarkable story, keenly told with a wealth of fascinating detail. Lost, sadly, are several passages that show the contribution Bungay has made to historiography by applying the perspective he brings from his career as a top-flight management consultant and educator, which enables him to distil operational causality in a way few have done before. For this, aficionados will not throw away the original when they acquire this complement to their drawing room, and will look forward to seeing Bungay develop this bridge between history and management disciplines in further works.
Happily the challenge has been well met. The new edition is not only a pleasure to own (and another reason to delay buying that Kindle); it is immensely informative in a way more history books for laymen should be. The 12 pages of photographs of the original have been replaced by (literally) hundreds more, giving insights into the men and their machines that neatly complement the text. Maps are invaluable and well selected and placed. Most fascinating of all are the diagrams of tactics.
This has been achieved at the expense of some text, but most of what has been lost (the Preface, most of the notes and the start of The Eagles chapter, for instance) involves reflections that are not central to the development of the narrative. What remains tells the full story as Bungay told it and it remains a remarkable story, keenly told with a wealth of fascinating detail. Lost, sadly, are several passages that show the contribution Bungay has made to historiography by applying the perspective he brings from his career as a top-flight management consultant and educator, which enables him to distil operational causality in a way few have done before. For this, aficionados will not throw away the original when they acquire this complement to their drawing room, and will look forward to seeing Bungay develop this bridge between history and management disciplines in further works.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Joy.
I have to describe this book as the following. COLOSSAL, OUTSTANDING, AND TRULY WONDERFUL. The author has got this book nailed. Brillant read. Buy it read it and savour it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Scott Graham
Too late for birthday - no comment on book - can't review it!
Been using Amazon for years. Very disappointed with Amazon on this one. It was for my dad's birthday and it was pretty clear when I placed the order that first class post would be... Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Ridyard
A fitting account of the Battle of Britain
For a few months in the summer and autumn of 1940, Britain was fighting for its very survival, with a battle taking place in its skies that has come to symbolise the character of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Country Publications
A Battle of Britain Victory!
The Battle fascinated me as a ten year old and as I came to realise the true significance of what had happened, I was in awe. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Michael Field
battle of Britain
I don't share the view that this is a paler version of the original book. To a normal reader and not a BoB afficionado it is well-written and informative without a lot of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by B. A. Smith
Excellent version
I am a great fan of the paperback version of this unmissable title. Rightfully that has outstanding reviews as it is the definitive account of the Battle of Britain. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Paul T. Rogers
Superb
This is a great companion to Stephen Bungay's history of the Battle of Britain, and brings the narrative to life.
Published 23 months ago by J. Cullen
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