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Bomber County
Bomber County
Oct 10, 2024 12:27 AM

Author:Daniel Swift

Bomber County

One night in June 1943 James Swift, along with the Lancaster bomber he piloted, vanished. In Bomber County, his grandson Daniel seeks to discover what happened. At the same time he tries to understand the men who took part in these dangerous raids, as well as their devastating impact on the civilians below. In examining the life of one pilot, Daniel Swift also investigates why it is we have tried to forget what was then a new, shocking form of warfare, and why literature and poetry exploring these terrible losses have not found the recognition they deserve.

Reviews

A very well-written, fast-moving book . . . [it] has all the ingredients for a Hollywood blockbuster

—— Tribune

The untold story of an extraordinary young woman's resistance to the Nazis

—— The Bookseller

McMeekin adds a wealth of documentation...[t]he result is a captivating new history of the Eastern Front in the first world war

—— Eugene Rogan , Financial Times

McMeekin has written an engaging history peopled with larger-than-life characters in exotic settings

—— Eugene Rogan , Financial Times

McMeekin has written a powerful, overdue book that for many will open up a whole new side to the first world war.

—— George Walden , Observer

In addition to bringing to life a fascinating episode in early 20th-century history, The Berlin-Baghdad Express contains several timely lessons and cautionary tales.

—— Wall Street Journal

Sean McMeekin's account possesses the large merit that it tells a story little known to Western readers, drawing extensively upon German sources. It depicts a splendid cast of characters heroic in their endeavors if absurd in their lack of accomplishments.

—— Max Hastings , New York Review of Books

Wide-ranging and clearly argued ... This is, as one would expect from a historian of Stevenson's great learning and analytical power, a masterly study

—— The Sunday Telegraph

The strength of the book lies in his ability to weave together astute analysis of the antagonists' abilities and weaknesses ... Told with verve and analytical vigour, Stevenson's book is a compelling and authoritative study of one of the most significant turning points in 20th-century military history

—— Robert Gerwath , The Irish Times

What David Stevenson achieves is a magisterial single volume synthesis of all the themes to deliver a punchy, incisive reboot of WW1 history that is never a dull read ... In saluting the unsung elements of victory, Stevenson ensures his big themes book is myth-busting in its small detail, too

—— Warships International Fleet Review

An outstanding contribution ... Stevenson analyses in great depth and detail the reasons why the Western Allies, having survived in a series of disasters, were able finally to turn the table on the Central Powers, effectively Germany, in 1918

—— Frank Ellis , Quarterly Review

Stevenson's detailed, lucid description of the development and maturation of that ability reflects encyclopedic mastery of published and archival sources while synergizing military, economic, political, and social-cultural factors. It is a professor's page-turner. It is also a door-opener to any reader seeking to understand the Great War's last stage

—— Publishers Weekly

Stevenson's grand scope, his international perspective, and his reliable judgements, combined with crystal-clear writing, have produced an exemplary book, a formidable contribution to our understanding of the Great War and the twentieth century

—— English Historical Review

An insightful study of how the Führer held his grip over the German people for so long

—— Telegraph

Comprehensive ... it generates real power

—— Observer

So did they reach the summit? It's anybody's guess. But all Wade Davis' experts in this fascinating book, shake their heads

—— Christopher Hudson , Daily Mail

Utterly fascinating, and grippingly well-written. With extraordinary skill Wade Davis manages to weave together such disparate strands as Queen Victoria's Indian Raj, the 'Great Game' of intrigue against Russia, the horrors of the Somme, and Britain's obsession to conquer the world's highest peak

—— Alistair Horne

Davis’ descriptions of the trenches – the bodies, the smell, the madness – are some of the best I’ve ever read

—— William Leith , Scotsman

Sheds new light on history that we thought we knew... meticulously detailed and very readable

—— David Willetts , New Statesman

The miracle is that there isn’t a dull page. As it moves towards its deadly climax, the story hangs together as tightly as a thriller. Into the Silence is as monumental as the mountain that soars above it; small wonder that it won the 2012 Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction … Once you start wandering the snowy passes with Mallory and the lads, you won’t want to come down again. There can be no better way, surely, to spend a week in winter

—— Arminta Wallace , Irish Times

He sees the climbers as haunted dreamers, harrowed by their desperate experiences in the First World War, living amid romantic dreams of Imperial grandeur and the elemental, sublime grandeur of the mountain

—— Steve Barfield , Lady

This is the awesomely researched story of Mallory, Irvine and the early Everest expeditions. It puts their efforts and motivations into the context of Empire and the first world war in a way I don’t think previous books have ever managed

—— Chris Rushby , Norfolk Magazine

A vivid depiction of a monumental story…Wade Davis’ passion for the book shines through and I can only hope that his next book doesn’t take as long to write as I will certainly be reading it

—— Glynis Allen , Living North
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