Product Description

In June 1940, the German Army had brought the rest of Europe to its knees. ‘Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world will move forward into broad, sunlit uplands,’ said Churchill. The future of Europe depended on Britain. A self-confident Herman Göring thought that it would be only a matter of weeks before his planes had forced Britain to surrender. The courage, resourcefulness and brilliant organisation of the RAF were to prove him wrong. By late September 1940, the RAF had proved invincible, thanks to the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire. It exceeded anything that any other air force possessed. RJ Mitchell, a shy and almost painfully modest engineer, was the genius behind the Spitfire. On the 5th March 1936, following its successful maiden flight, a legend was born.

Prize-winning historian Leo McKinstry’s vivid history of the Spitfire brings together a rich cast of characters and first hand testimonies. It is a tale full of drama and heroism, of glory and tragedy, with the main protagonist the remarkable plane that played a crucial role in saving Britain.

(20050529)

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14920 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review

Praise for ROSEBERY:

(. 20051203)

'Stunning ... As well as being meticulously researched, it is beautifully written and has tremendous pace' (Literary Review 20051204)

'Absorbing ... McKinstry has here proved himself to be a first-class historical biographer' (Mail on Sunday )

‘With masterly skill and sympathy, Leo McKinstry resurrects him as the Hamlet of late Victorian England' (Daily Mail )

An authoritative and original biography which is also a riveting read'

(Spectator )

'Superbly well-researched and well-written ... A truly first-class addition to the genre of Prime Ministerial biography’ (Sunday Telegraph )

'An absolutely wonderful biography ... gripping and entertaining'

(Evening Standard )

‘A first class biography, scholarly, judicious and always interesting’

(Glasgow Herald )

‘Remarkable’

(Country Life )

‘Judicious, well-researched and engrossing’

(Sunday Times )

‘This is undoubtably the definitive biography of Rosebery. Written with elegance, clarity and well-judged colour’

(Jonathan Parry, Times Literary Supplement )

'It does a wonderful job of conjuring up the lost world of late Victorian politics'

(Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph )

'Admirable biography of a paradoxical figure whose tenure at No 10 was a disaster'

(Jeremy Lewis, Sunday Times )

About the Author
Leo McKinstry writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator . He has also written five books including a study of the Labour Party and a best-selling biography of the footballing Charlton brothers. Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University. (20050529)

---

Customer Reviews

In comment to Sean
I am currently reading this book, and can assure those who are considering purchasing it, that the author does in fact discuss the Spitfire in a fair manner. I have heard the author speak about the book in London, and the comments of two former Battle of Britain Spitfire pilots, who were both convinced of the accuracy of this work. Contrary to what Sean has written, the author does discuss radar and the early warning system, Dowding and RAF command, the change in German strategy during the battle, the role of the Hurricane, and other aircraft, as well as many other points including the politics behind the project. I have not yet finished, but from what I have read so far, I can strongly recommend to anyone who has an interest in both the legend of this famous aircraft, and the true story behind it. I would suggest not taking too seriously the comments of someone who has based their opinion of a 417 page book on a 7 line synopsis.

Maffett obviously sat on his tuffet!
Like the aircraft itself, this is an elegant piece of work with a depth of sophistication and understated complexity, totally befitting the subject matter! Unlike 'Mr Tuffet' below, I believe one needs to at least read the subject matter at hand before making such unqualified sweeping statements. Shame on him!..But more importantly, more fool him, as this study of R J Mitchell's finest hour tells the lesser known 'warts and all' story of this historic plane without the usual romanticisms.

From Beaverbrook, to the enlisted men on the ground who all worked so tirelessly to get, and then keep this legend in the air, I found this an enlightening and, at times, somewhat disturbing account of a national icon that quite literally may NEVER have been! One can scarcely imagine it now, but the pre-war blinkered adherence to the 'total bomber' doctrine, the factory workers who at times even refused to put her together mere weeks before The Battle of Britain, and the governments hell-bent attempts to cancel the project, give a huge insight into the somewhat darker 'unglossed' days of this extraordinary aircraft.

The research that has gone into this work is extensive. As a result, the author offers a refreshing new perspective on the conceptualisation, manufacture, and implementation of the beautiful Spitfire design. Fluid, and engrossing, this work is a compelling read. I was sat on my 'Maffett' throughout, eager and hungry for the next chapter!

A must for all those who think they know all there is to know about this amazing plane, and those associated with it. A joy to read !

Memories - Sea and sand
As somene who flew, albeit very briefly, two Marks of Seafire and two Marks of Spitfire I found the book a very satisfying read. It had been well written and well researched. Friends to whom the book waa passed were impressed. All I might add is that when I flew a Vampire MkI back in 1949 I was reminded of the Seafire IIIl so much that I jumped at the chance of a place on No 208 Squadron with its MkXVIIIs: this book evoked long forgotten memories and that cannot suggest a negative review!