Suggestions about good BoB books?

[HFC_Dolphin]

Title is self explanatory :)

I think we should start sharing this knowledge, as we're going to need it pretty soon ;-)

Whoever has some good suggestions please post here, along with any comments of yours about specific book (i.e. its strong points).

[furbs]

Ive read about 15 books on the BOB and i think my Fav is...

Most Dangerous enemy by Stephen Bungay

[HFC_Dolphin]

...Most Dangerous enemy by Stephen Bungay

I expect to receive it in a couple of days :)

So, why did you like it most?

And btw, anyone knows a good book with numbers about BoB?
I mean, number of planes, bases, locations, etc.
In RAF's website there is a lot of info, but I don't know if there's anything similar for Luftwaffe as well.

[furbs]

I liked it for a few reasons...

its a book that seems to tell the story without any bias.

even though he tells the story with pace and excitment, he never over romanticizes.

all in all a great book and im sure you will love it.

what i would love to read about more story's from the german side...so far ive only read one "spitfire on my tail"

anyone know of any others?

[Igo kyu]

The Narrow Margin is good.

[Insuber]

I've read many and liked them all, some more some less ... the last books I've read regarding BoB (at least in part ...) are Brian Kingcome's one, A Willingness to Die, and Johnny Kent's One of the Few.

Kent's book is very lively, I liked it. Kingcome's one is more introspective, but well worth the reading. Only problem is that he died before completing his memories, so the editor had to fill the voids.

One book I recommend among many good ones (First Light, Enemy Coast Ahead, The Last Enemy ...), not entirely devoted to BoB but full with pilots' reports and technical data:

Spitfire, Portrait of a legend by Leo McKinstry. One of the best books on WWII I've ever read.

Regards,
Insuber

[airmalik]

I quite enjoyed First Light by Geoffrey Wellum. Some good suggestions by others that I'd like to read as well. Wish there were audiobook versions of more of these books as I find very little free time these days to read. Great way to make use of the 2hrs I spend commuting to and from work every day. I purchased the audiobook version of First Light but it was abridged. Looking for more. any suggestions?

[Rango]

That's my favourite because it's a true story of a German ME-109 pilot

http://www.amazon.com/I-Flew-Fuhrer-Heinz-Knoke/dp/1853671045

Rango

[touchdown42]

What about Fighter Boys, Saving Britain 1940 from Patrick Bishop?

IIRC it was a fine read.

See here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0006532047/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

[Insuber]

Today is my birthday, and a good friend gave me a really beautiful present:


Finding the Few
Some outstanding mysteries of the Battle of Britain investigated and solved
Andy Saunders
Grub Street
ISBN 978-1-906502-55-3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Few-Outstanding-Mysteries-Investigated/dp/1906502552

It treats the careful and loving research by the author of MIA pilots fallen during the BoB, the recovery of the remains of their aeroplanes and the identification of the mortal rest. 192 pages packed with photos and moving human tales.

Regards,
Insuber

[RedToo]

Good thread here:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2098902/SOW_Battle_of_Britain_Essentia.html#Post2098902

RedToo.

[PeterPanPan]

Nine Lives by Alan Deere is another great read that covers the BoB and beyond.

First Light, by Geoffrey Wellum, as previously mentioned is a wonderful book.

Also just out (Sept 09) is Battle of Britain: A Day-by-day Chronicle, 10 July - 31 October 1940 by Patrick Bishop. See http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Britain-Day-day-Chronicle/dp/1847249841/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258585427&sr=8-2

PPanPan

[daveblah]

i found "The first and the last" by Adolf Galland quite insightful and also Norman Franks book "sky tiger" about Adolph "sailor" malan was an interesting read.
Slightly off topic but thoroughly recommend "Samurai" by Saburo Sakai for anyone interested in Japanese WW2 naval aviation.