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Spitfire
A Very British Love Story
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,283 ratings, 131 reviews)
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Spitfire
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Spitfire: A remarkable aircraft flown by very brave men. This is their story.
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Description
THE SUNDAY TIMES NON-FICTION BESTSELLER
WHSmith NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018
'The best book you will ever read about Britain's greatest warplane' – Patrick Bishop, bestselling author of Fighter Boys
'A rich and heartfelt tribute to this most iconic British machine' – Rowland White, bestselling author of Vulcan 607
'As the RAF marks its centenary, Nichol has created a thrilling and often moving tribute to some of its greatest heroes' – Mail on Sunday magazine
The iconic Spitfire found fame during the darkest early days of World War II. But what happened to the redoubtable fighter and its crews beyond the Battle of Britain, and why is it still so loved today?
In late spring 1940, Nazi Germany’s domination of Europe had looked unstoppable. With the British Isles in easy reach since the fall of France, Adolf Hitler was convinced that Great Britain would be defeated in the skies over her southern coast, confident his Messerschmitts and Heinkels would outclass anything the Royal Air Force threw at them. What Hitler hadn’t planned for was the agility and resilience of a marvel of British engineering that would quickly pass into legend – the Spitfire.
Bestselling author John Nichol's passionate portrait of this magnificent fighter aircraft, its many innovations and updates, and the people who flew and loved them, carries the reader beyond the dogfights over Kent and Sussex. Spanning the full global reach of the Spitfire’s deployment during WWII, from Malta to North Africa and the Far East, then over the D-Day beaches, it is always accessible, effortlessly entertaining, and full of extraordinary spirit.
Here are edge-of-the-seat stories and heart-stopping first-hand accounts of battling pilots forced to bail out over occupied territory; of sacrifice and wartime love; of aristocratic female flyers, and of the mechanics who braved the Nazi onslaught to keep the aircraft in battle-ready condition. Nichol takes the reader on a hair-raising, nail-biting, and moving wartime history of the iconic Spitfire populated by a cast of redoubtable, heroic characters that make you want to stand up and cheer.
With meticulously researched insights and personal anecdotes, Spitfire offers an immersive journey into the heart of an era where heroism and fortitude were the order of the day. It is not just a book about an aircraft, but a tribute to the indefatigable spirit of those who took to the skies and the ground crew who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. This compelling narrative is an essential read for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone who relishes tales of bravery and resilience.
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?
Spitfire by John Nichol is praised as a heartfelt and engaging tribute to the iconic British aircraft and the men and women who flew it. Reviewers commend Nichol for bringing a fresh perspective, capturing the bravery, camaraderie, and emotional stories of these aviators. The book is described as thrilling, moving, and brilliantly written, offering new insights and evoking a deep emotional response.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781471159237
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 May 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Illustration: 1x8pp colour
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 365g
Pages: 480
About the Author
John Nichol served in the Royal Air Force for fifteen years. On active duty during the first Gulf War in 1991, his Tornado bomber was shot down during a mission over Iraq. Captured, tortured and held as a prisoner of war, John was paraded on television, provoking worldwide condemnation and leaving one of the most enduring images of the conflict. John is the bestselling co-author of Tornado Down and author of many highly acclaimed Second World War epics including Spitfire and Lancaster, both of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. He has made a number of TV documentaries with Second World War veterans, written for national newspapers and magazines, and is a widely quoted commentator on military affairs.
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