Reading about history is one of the things I enjoy in my spare time, specially everything related to planes which is basically something I loved as a child and my current job. This year Britain celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 76th one of the D-Day and I wanted to recommend few books options that really caught my eye and they would be a nice read for anyone who is interested on this topic or make a good gift to someone.
D-DAY, WORLD WAR II BOOKS
“EVERYTHING WE HAVE”: D-DAY 6.6.44 by Gordon H. Mueller
“Everything We Have” tells the personal stories of the people involved in Operation Overlord, in their own words. Using rare documents, artifacts and first-hand accounts from The US National WWII Museum’s official archives, you can gain a rare insight into the thoughts and feelings of those soldiers who landed on the beaches of Normandy.
- Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9780233005812
- Number of pages: 256
- Dimensions: 280 x 216 mm
Available at Waterstones, Book Depository and Amazon UK
D-DAY REMEMBERED: FROM THE INVASION TO THE LIBERATION OF PARIS by Richard Holmes, Imperial War Museum
This is a graphic account of the planning and execution of Operation Overlord, as well as the campaign which effectively destroyed the German forces in France, opening the way for the Allied advance. Including a wealth of superb photographs and maps, the book also contains 30 facsimile items of rare memorabilia, including diaries, letters and memos, bringing this ‘Day of Days’ dramatically to life.
- Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9780233005775
- Number of pages: 224
- Dimensions: 283 x 245 mm
Available at Waterstones, and Amazon UK and Book Depository
BATTLE OF BRITAIN BOOKS
ONE OF THE FEW: A STORY OF PERSONAL CHALLENGE THROUGH THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN AND BEYOND by Johnny Kent
Group Captain Johnny Kent joined the RAF in the 1930s and went on to become a flight commander of one of the most successful fighter squadrons of the Second World War. In this role, he helped the famous 303 Polish Squadron play a decisive part in the Battle of Britain, which earned him the highest Polish military award, the Virtuti Militari, as well as the affectionate nickname ‘Kentowski’. Group Captain Kent’s fascinating memoirs, originally published in 1971, tell the story of his life in the RAF, from his struggles as a boy on the Canadian Prairies to get into the air, detailing his experiences as a test pilot in Farnborough and his constant efforts to excel at what he did. Alongside the classic tale of derring-do, Kent’s daughter provides supplementary material that places his extraordinary story into the broader context of his life as a son, husband and father. Poignant questions are raised about what it meant to be ‘One of the Few’ – for both the men themselves and those to whom they were closest.
- Publisher: The History Press Ltd
- ISBN: 9780750993401
- Number of pages: 288
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
- Edition: 3rd New edition
Available at Waterstones and Amazon UK and Book Depository
ROYAL AIR FORCE: THE OFFICIAL STORY by James Holland
Royal Air Force: The Official Story is the most up-to-date official history of the Royal Air Force – the oldest airforce in the world. From its genesis in the horrors of the First World War when pilots were open to the elements in craft made of little more than wood and fabric, to the iconic air battles of the Second World War, through to the lifesaving missions carried out in today’s trouble zones, this book looks at the men, women and aircraft that are at the heart of this great service.
With unique access to the RAF’s historic archives, bestselling historian James Holland uses photographs and documents to bring the story of the people, planes and missions to life as never before.
- Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9781787394230
- Number of pages: 224
- Dimensions: 280 x 216 mm
Available at Waterstones, Amazon UK and Book Depository
SPITFIRE SUMMER: THE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN by Malcolm Brown
In the summer 1940 Britain stood alone as Nazi Germany was swiftly tightening its grip on Europe. Hitler’s forces appeared to be invincible, having swept through Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Invasion seemed inevitable as the Fuhrer’s eyes turned to Britain, isolated against the might of fascism. But Hitler reckoned without the indomitable will and spirit of the British people and their leader, Winston Churchill.
Spitfire Summer is the story of that extraordinary time: packed full of unique material and first-hand accounts from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, it tells of the men and women who won the Battle of Britain in that fateful summer, at home and in the air.
- Publisher: Welbeck Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9780233006154
- Number of pages: 240
- Dimensions: 234 x 153 mm
Available at Waterstones, Amazon UK and Book Depository
All these books made such a great about history and inspiration to learn more about such important part of our history, totally recommend them.
Evelin x
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