The Most Dangerous Enemy: An Illustrated History of the Battle of Britain - Hardcover

Bungay, Stephen

4.32

788 ratings by Goodreads

9780760339367: The Most Dangerous Enemy: An Illustrated History of the Battle of Britain

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0760339368 ISBN 13: 9780760339367

Publisher: Zenith Press, 2010

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Following its original publication in narrative form ten years ago, Stephen Bungay’s The Most Dangerous Enemy has been acclaimed as the definitive history of the Battle of Britain, a book whose authority and comprehensiveness far exceeded all previous accounts. Andrew Roberts, prominent military historian and author of Masters and Commanders: How Four Titans Won the War in the West, 1941-1945, said that The Most Dangerous Enemy is “the best single-volume history to be published in over a decade.” To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle, this classic work has been transformed into a new, large-format, fully illustrated edition. With over 150 photographs (including rare color photos), full color maps, and diagrams, and numerous sidebar features, it brings this dramatic story to life in a fresh and exciting way. Archival photographs of the planes, pilots, and key military leaders, many of which have never before been published, are accompanied by fascinating three-dimensional diagrams illustrating dogfights and battle tactics on both sides. This new edition of The Most Dangerous Enemy is a fitting way to mark the Battle of Britain’s anniversary and will bring this most remarkable of stories to a whole new group of readers.

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About the Author:

Stephen Bungay is a renowned military historian and author. In 2004 he was featured in the documentary television series about the Battle of Britain, Spitfire Ace. His other books include Alamein, which has been praised as “a brilliant balance between lucid analysis and piquant detail.” He lives in England.

Review:

WWII HISTORY MAGAZINE
"This coffee table book has some incredible photos and maps detailing the nearly four-month long air campaign commonly referred to as the Battle of Britain. Unit designations, types of aircraft, leaders, strategies and the combat itself are all discussed.

"With the defeat and humiliating evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk, German leader Adolf Hitler thought he had Great Britain on her knees. However, the maniacal Nazi dictator failed to appreciate the extraordinary will of the British people. Outnumbered and outgunned, RAF pilots took to the skies and battled the experienced Luftwaffe pilots over their homeland. By October, they had won. It was one of the major turning points of World War II."

WORLD WAR II
"This remarkably concise and cogent rendition of larger events also offers clear explanations of strategy and tactics, and precies characterizations of leading and lesser figures. In revisiting this oft-told tale, Bungay seeks a middle way between over-reverence an over-revisionism. By and large, he succeeds, telling his tale with accuracy and verve. The 150 pictures, diagrams, and maps make the package pop."

BOWLING GREEN DAILY NEWS
“The Most Dangerous Enemy is a great book and unique—a coffee table book with excellent illustrations and a first-rate narrative history of the battle. Arranged topically within a chronological context, it provides detailed information and excellent pictures and illustrations of everything from drawings of the workings of the various aircraft to some of the best diagrams of World War II fighter tactics I have seen. It would be an ideal gift for anyone interested in World War II or fighter aircraft.”

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
"The Most Dangerous Enemy provides an in-depth, illustrated survey of the Battle of Britain and comes from an author who set out to uncover the truths behind the myths of this epic battle. His is the most detailed account in print of the Battle of Britain, and offers first-hand experiences, historical debates, and more. Highly recommended as a key acquisition for any military history collection."

ARMCHAIR GENERAL ONLINE
"In his book, The Most Dangerous Enemy, author Stephen Bungay takes a fresh look at the Battle of Britain. In his introduction, he recounts growing up immersed in the mythology of the battle, his parents having lived through many of the raids during the war. His first contact with the history of the battle came through a wartime Air Ministry pamphlet found in his father’s bookcase, which perpetuated the legend of lone RAF Spitfire pilots fighting off swarms of Luftwaffe bombers and prevailing against unimaginable odds. Bungay recounts how this myth began to die in the 1980s and 1990s as “debunkers” sought to tear down the myths. However, Bungay notes, in their zeal to dismiss, the debunkers missed the real story—the British won the Battle of Britain. Bungay’s work captures the real story and the real people, separating fact from myth and presenting us a fuller picture of the battle.

"This version of The Most Dangerous Enemy is an update of the first edition published in 2000. The new version is profusely illustrated with over 150 photographs, full-color maps and diagrams, and numerous sidebar features. This is an outstanding book and likely to become the definitive account of the Battle of Britain."

AVIATION HISTORY
"...quite simply the best single volume treatment of the battle to have appeared in 70 years."

COLLECTED MISCELLANY
"Bungay’s writing is superb and easy to follow. He does not get too detailed or too broad with his descriptions. A novice of the subject will get a lot from this book, but I think an expert will learn a thing or two. I highly recommend this wonderful narrative of the Battle of Britain."

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