Best read on the BoB to tide you over until the release of SoW:BoB

[Freycinet]

This history of the battle is the best out there. It is serious history writing, but still impossible to put down when you first get started.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1845134818

From a reader review:

"There are so many books available on the Battle of Britain, but this is the best I've read. A healthy and fascinating mix of anecdote, opinion, and solid research give this book so many dimensions missing in others that cover this important historical event.

Other authors have emphasised how close-run this event was - how Britain avoided defeat at the hands of the Luftwaffe by a hair's-breadth. I've never been entirely convinced by this. I could never put my finger on why, which is why I probably read so many books on this subject. But thankfully Bungay hits the nail on the head with a view that is contrary to the consensus: the British war machine was far more efficient than the Germans'; that the Germans didn't have the industrial capacity to replace the aircraft lost over England. And, crucially, the genius of Park and Dowding's organisation of the defence was such that the Luftwaffe was far from achieving a certain victory.

Everything is brilliantly explained: the tactics, the aircraft, the pilots, the politics, and much that has been neglected in the past such as the role of Bomber Command, and a decent explanation of why the famous "Big Wing" was such a bad idea.
Stick with the book to the end and you will be amused by Bungay's ironic quips, and moved when he delves deeper into the lives of some of the pilots. He rightly laments the sorry status this battle has in WWII history, pointing out that it's the world, not just Britain, that owes a debt of gratitude to the pilots.

What is profoundly sad is the knowledge that this breed is dying out - an example is the story of the retired Spitfire pilot who didn't mention his role in the battle, quietly working in his garage, content to be anonymous. One day, his secret is out, and the reaction is very moving.

Buy this - it's the best history of the most important air battle, ever."

[brando]

Somehow I hadn't realised that Stephen Bungay had a book out about the Battle of Britain <scratches head> but that oversight has just been rectified

I have enjoyed Bungay's dryly humorous commentaries on various TV docs, so I'm looking forward to his writings. I last saw him on a BBC presentation where he was rather up-staged by a newer historian, James Holland. I was a trifle annoyed at JH's interruptions, but Bungay's polite, self-effacing response earned him a lot of respect in my book.

I actually prize Len Deighton's books on the subject of war. 'Blood, tears and folly', 'Blitzkrieg' and 'Fighter' are all well researched, factual accounts of the conflict which were highly praised by historian A.J.P. Taylor. Blitzkrieg covers the period leading up to Dunkirk, and 'Fighter' is dedicated to the BoB and the aftermath. I recommend them as well worth reading. Deighton also takes a careful look at the behind-the-scenes activity in the respective camps, Allied and Axis.

Anyway, thanks for the link, now where's that postman?

B

[Flying Pencil]

The Most Dangerous Enemy: A History of the Battle of Britain

The one thing the reviewer mentioned was in the book and I disagree, even if UK could out produce the aircraft, they where short on experienced pilots.
At least the RAF realized this and opened up to anyone, and UK has always acknowledged this vital contribution.

It was a near thing.

IMHO James Holland's new book on the Battle of Britain is a bit better, but this is defo a valid read.

[Freycinet]

Thx for the info on the Holland book, just got it on Amazon!

[Igo kyu]

This one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Narrow-Margi...6394545&sr=1-4

I don't know whether the paperback is the same, it could be.

[major_setback]

This one. The main part of the book focuses on a day by day account of sorties, fights, kills etc. You get a real sense of how the battle is progressing.
There is much more to it though, it's a big book with good photos and drawings, and it is a very enjoyable read.

http://www.google.se/imgres?imgurl=h...-aD8LsObT-hOQG

Sample:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1856...tu#reader-link

[BadAim]

Great info, thanks for the contribution to the community guys.

While this is not a strictly BOB book, I found it's broad overview of the Luftwaffe very valuable in understanding the course of events during the war, and how intricately the fate of the Luftwaffe was linked to the fate of Nazi Germany. And it's free.......http://www.ebookee.com/Strategy-for-...45_288063.html

[HFC_Dolphin]

Read many books and I found this one quite interesting, as long as you need general information and not the feelings of a pilot:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Brita...443991&sr=1-13