The Battle of Britain

Five Months That Changed History; May-October 1940

By: James Holland

Narrated by: Shaun Grindell

Length: 26 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The Battle of Britain paints a stirring picture of an extraordinary summer when the fate of the world hung by a thread. Historian James Holland has now written the definitive account of those months based on extensive new research from around the world, including thousands of new interviews with people on both sides of the battle.

If Britain's defenses collapsed, Hitler would have dominated all of Europe. With France facing defeat and British forces pressed back to the Channel, there were few who believed Britain could survive; but, thanks to a sophisticated defensive system and the combined efforts of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and the defiance of a new prime minister, Britain refused to give in.

From clashes between coastal convoys and Schnellboote in the Channel to astonishing last stands in Flanders, slaughter by U-boats in an icy Atlantic, and dramatic aerial battles over England, The Battle of Britain tells this epic World War II story in a fresh and compelling voice.

©2010 James Holland (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This massive volume is informative, enthralling, and moving - often all three at once.... Genuinely brilliant." ( Booklist)

Good History

I had read one of the reviews and almost turned me off from getting the book.
But I have always found the author's others books informing and beside the Battle for Britain fascinating. So I went forward.

I found the book unbelievably through.
I really enjoyed learning the build up to the battle and all of the steps leaning to the famous period of time.
I still cant understand how that negative review was written. OBVIOUSLY, that person just wasnt interested in history.
I felt this book is a must to read as much as, The Guns of August.
Spacestationark

I Thought That I Already Knew The Story

Before this listen I considered myself familiar and knowledgeable on the subject of the summer of 1940 and thought the story of the Battle of Britain mostly focused on The Few. Was I wrong. This is a comprehensive study of all aspects contributing to and leading up to the Battle FOR Britain. What I found incredibly interesting was the especially fair (not undeservedly) treatment of Chamberalin's contributions both as PM and as a trusted adviser to Churchill. This is an example of the depth and consideration you can expect from this audio book. Lot's of personal accounts and just enough action to keep it all tied together and interesting. This is history presented in context. Five stars.

Britain's finest hour,what you may not Know.

It is easy to look back at history with hindsight.But Imagine if you and everybody you knew as well as the leaders of your country expected to shortly be invaded by a country that by far outnumbered your country in both men and equipment. Would you want to fight or reach an agreement that, while it might prevent war, would make you subject to that country ??
Well as you know the Brits decided to fight. This book gives you both the story and the story behind the story from France to the turning point.....what happened ,How it happened,what the Brits did and how they did it.
It is full of facts that I didn't know or only knew in the most general of terms. For example I vaguely remember that Joe Kennedy,father of JFK,Bobby and Ted was the American Ambassador to Britain.
I didn't know he continually reported to Roosevelt that Britain had no chance to survive and it was best for the U.S. to stay out of it.
Well the Brits fought on by themselves ,and if you like WW II History you will find The Battle Of Britain both fascinating and informative, a great History lesson and an inspiring story.

Story behind the story.

Good preparation for WWII historical films and movies. I watched Into the Storm and must admit listening to this first gave me added depth.

awesome

great book. the stories were interesting and personal. listened at work through the app.

Battle of Britain from a different perspective.

loved it. a few mispronounced names, places, etc but otherwise a great job. if you are looking for a day by day blow this isn't really the book, but if you are looking for a bigger picture this is it.

The Complete Story

James Holland has written a very complete history of the Battle of Britain starting in May 1940 and going through November out that year.

The genius of his book is that much of it is written through the eyes and experiences of the combatants, both Allied and Axis. It takes into account the air war but also the seas and the home front in the overall context of this epic time in the history of Great Britain.

The presentation is excellent. A really good listen.

Amazing to hear in their own words!

The personal cost of war is expressed so eloquently in this book. The human beings that fought in the Battle of Britain should be forever remembered for their sacrifice, courage and commitment to duty.

Well written account by Holland

James Holland captures in well written detail how the hopes of a nation (and the free world) in 1940 rested on the RAF. Much will always be owed to these brave men.

Very good accounting

It was difficult at first to understand with the British accent, but I got used to it and it was fine.