Spitfire Women of World War II |
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Giles Whittell
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Pages: 304 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0007235364
Pub: HarperPerennial
Pub date: 2008-07-01
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 14282
Reader Reviews:
Page-turner of a read and fascinating (0/0 people found this helpful)
By coincidence I'd just read Diana Barnato Walker's autobiography when I came across this book. Very much enjoyed the additional insights from other pilots and also it helped that the author was also able to put things in historical context. I found the book a real "page-turner" and full of amusing stories and gossip.
I enjoyed reading it even more than I did DBW's own account and also Jeffrey Quill's and Alex Henshaw's biographies which I also read in the past few months.
spitfire (2/3 people found this helpful)
Thisbook is good as far as it goes but it dosnt go nearly far enough.164 women from allover the world joined theAir Transport Auxillary to fly fighters and bomers that were unarmed and without radio control.139 survived the war and 15 died flying. Nomention is made of the other 10. Fifteen ssrvivors were interviewed while the remainder of the book seems to deal with material from other publications. It is noted thecImperial War Museums archives were searched but not the RAFs.The book should have a line listing of all the women with their flying details and final outcome.
Not one for the flying enthusiast (2/3 people found this helpful)
Lots of family history and background, lots of politics, lots of the social line and back stabbing and bitching. Almost no flying.
If you want to read about flying activity don't buy this book.
Rebuttal! (13/13 people found this helpful)
No idea what these bad reviews are about - I found the book absolutely fascinating, well-researched and engagingly written. Nothing can take away from the sheer guts these women had, and the book inadvertently gives a vivid picture of just how much death permeated everyday life during the War: colleagues, friends, loved ones - and one's self, of course - could cease to exist at any moment, frequently quite horribly. It very eloquently shows women living under such terrific strain while behaving with almost incomprehensible bravery in fulfilling their own missions.
Very moving (4/6 people found this helpful)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr Whittell writes very well, and the book is a very moving account of a little-known story.
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Categories
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Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)