To Command the Sky

The Battle for Air Superiority Over Germany, 1942-1944

By: Stephen L. McFarland, Wesley Phillips Newton

Narrated by: Patrick Ross

To Command the Sky is a scholarly record of the fight for domination of the skies over Western Europe during World War II. It also explains the technical details of the tactics used to defeat the Luftwaffe. This book is important for serious students of World War II or military aviation.

The book is published by The University of Alabama Press.

©1991 Smithsonian Institution (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

" To Command the Sky is an indispensable addition to the bookshelf of any serious student of World War II or military aviation." (Alan L. Gropman, The Journal of American History)

A bit forensic but the author did a lot or research to support his thesis.

This book is a bit forensic. It doesn’t have much in the way of a story. What it does however is tell you HOW the Allied air forces conquered the Luftwaffe in air war over Europe. It’s talks about tactical and strategic evolution. Target selection. Theory vs practical application and how all those things combined applied serious pressure on Bomber Command. It also applies these things to the Luftwaffe and shows how their command decisions were absolutely fatal in the out come of the air war. Very through book and some of the figures for losses were quite shocking to me. However, I’m not a bomber guy, so take that for what it’s worth.

If you want a personal story get Death of a ball turret gunner. If you want a story version get Masters of the Air. If you want a factual break down and very through look at the air war, get this one. It’s not for everyone. But I thought it was great and really drove home the authors point that the Fighter aspect of the air war is wholly under appreciated.

This book was Strategic View of WW II air war

Great Book as a technical guide of the strategic air campaign. I enjoyed it. Have Fun

Very informative account

A well rounded and informative account of the European fight for dominance of the air prior to DDay

Study of air war

Excellent technical review of the battle for air superiority over Germany in ww2. Narrator sometimes reads without pause and causes confusion.

A poorly done book

The book has a good narrator but is boring and the authors get many fact wrong.