The Battle of Britain (General Aviation)

Gr 7 Up—In the summer and autumn of 1940, Britain faced an unparalleled challenge. Forced to beat a quick retreat from Dunkirk with the German Luftwaffe in hot pursuit, the British dug in for what was to be one of the most remarkable feats in the history of human endurance. In this spectacular oversize volume, Moore recounts with notable lucidity and depth the events and characters from both the British and German home fronts during this critical moment in world history and offers an excellent analysis of prewar preparations by both sides. The most outstanding feature of the work is without a doubt the stunning visuals. The book is packed with a fantastic range of archival photos, maps, and war posters with slogans ranging from "England Expects National Service" to "Keep Calm and Carry On," all of which are well captioned. Another excellent feature of the work is the handful of sidebars offering information on high-profile participants, organizations, and movements such as Hermann Göring, the British Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and the Guinea Pig Club. Readers familiar with Susan Campbell Bartoletti's Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow (Scholastic, 2005) will find striking parallels in the level of insight and emotional resonance.—Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL