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The Greatest Raid
St Nazaire, 1942: The Heroic Story of Operation Chariot
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Check link for latest rating. ( 139 ratings, 14 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
The "gloriously exciting" (The Times) dramatic new account of the most daring British commando raid of World War Two.
In the darkest months of the Second World War, Churchill approved what seemed to many like a suicide mission. Braving the defences of the seemingly impenetrable St Nazaire U-boat base on the Atlantic seaboard, British commandos undertook the greatest raid of all, turning an old destroyer into a live bomb and using it to ram the gates of a Nazi stronghold before exploding it.
Churchill called the raid a 'deed of glory', but as Giles Whittell reveals, it was a fundamentally misconceived raid whose impact and legacy was only secured by the astonishing bravery of its commandos. Drawing on official documents, interviews, unknown accounts and the astonished reactions of French civilians and German forces, The Greatest Raid recreates in cinematic detail the hours in which the "Charioteers" fought and died, unearthing human stories in poignant detail. It offers irreducible proof of the courage, daring and defiance shown by British commandos throughout the war, securing a legacy that resonated for years to come.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Greatest Raid by Giles Whittell is highly praised for its thrilling and gripping narrative, capturing the extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice involved in World War II's St Nazaire raid. The book is considered a masterfully told, cinematic account of heroism, with beautifully written prose that highlights both the drama and the tragic consequences of war. Reviewers commend Whittell's meticulous research and storytelling, which vividly revives the historical episode and its characters.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780241992258
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 26 January 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 19.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 225g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Giles Whittell is the author of Bridge of Spies, Spitfire Women of World War II and Snow- A Scientific and Cultural Exploration. He is World Affairs Editor at Tortoise Media, and was previously a writer for The Times in Los Angeles, Moscow, Washington and London.
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