Product Description

'No individual British victory after Trafalgar was more decisive in challenging the course of a major war than was the Battle of Britain ... In his carefully argued, clearly explained and impressively documented book ... Richard Overy is at pains to dispose of the myths and expose the real history of what he does not doubt was a great British victory ... the best historical analysis in readable form which has yet appeared on this prime subject' Noble Frankland, The Times Literary Supplement

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60325 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

About the Author
Richard Overy is Professor of History at King's College, London. His other books include Russia's War, Interrogations and The Dictators: Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia.

Customer Reviews

Superb overview of the Battle of Britain
Richard Overy is an eminent academic historian. He writes lucidly and persuasively. If you want a relatively short but nevertheless very rounded account of the Battle of Britain then this is the first place to look. This is not a blow by blow account of who shot who when. It is an exceptionally well written analysis of why the battle was fought, how well Britain was prepared for it, and what really happened to both sides. History in perspective doesn't get much better than this.

A history book
An interesting read which helps to dismiss many of the myths that have arisen about the Battle of Britain (including its very existence as a battle in its own right and lots of myths you've never heard of)

Unfortunately the book therefore somewhat makes itself pointless; how can you have a book about the Battle of Britain when you just showed that there was no clearly defined battle?!

However, the book does cover an interesting period of history and a lot of the background of the period in question, although it is very thin on the details of the intense period of fighting (for thin, I mean almost non-existent). The book is clearly written by a historian and not a writer; it is well written but it isn't exactly exciting.

So, if you want a quick top up on your history then this book is a worthwhile read, if you want to know about the actual battle period, you'll need to read something else, like the superb 'First Light' by Geoffrey Wellum. Better still, read both!

Poorly researched!
Although this book is a decent overview of BoB it is poorly researched and has little detail for the serious reader, Overy really doesn't deserve his reputation if it is based on mediocre books like this.

I recommend The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain by Dr Stephen Bungay! ISBN-10: 1854108018

This book is a much fuller history that was researched and written with great care and accuracy.