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The Blitz
May 1941: over 43,000 civilians had been killed, and over a million houses destroyed following endless nights of bombing raids. Yet London and other cities that had been targeted survived, their spirit undaunted, their people resilient.
Revisionist historians have sought to dampen the notion of the 'Blitz spirit', but the writings and surviving records all point to a resilience that would remain unbroken, despite the death toll rising to almost 52,000 from bombing alone.
Illustrated with archive photographs and other materials, and illuminated by first-hand recollections of the Blitz, this human history of the bombing raids on Britain is the perfect introduction to this dark episode in British history.
Revisionist historians have sought to dampen the notion of the 'Blitz spirit', but the writings and surviving records all point to a resilience that would remain unbroken, despite the death toll rising to almost 52,000 from bombing alone.
Illustrated with archive photographs and other materials, and illuminated by first-hand recollections of the Blitz, this human history of the bombing raids on Britain is the perfect introduction to this dark episode in British history.
- GenresHistory
56 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 12, 2023
These Shire Books, published in the UK, are good, easily understood introductions to major events and themes in British history. In this case, the subject is the Blitz -- the bombing of England, and especially of London, by Germany during World War II. This book is too brief to cover the topic in depth, but the design, layout and photographs are artfully done. And it will likely encourage you to explore other sources for a deeper understanding of the Blitz and how England endured.
December 2, 2023
[Shire Publications] (2014). Reprint. Shire Library 606. SB. 56 Pages. Purchased from cmedia_group.
Well written and informative.
Numerous colour illustrations.
Sources of Further Reading listed. Indexed.
Well written and informative.
Numerous colour illustrations.
Sources of Further Reading listed. Indexed.
May 7, 2025
Fascinating. Thoroughly researched. An in depth look at The Blitz in several British cities. Short but focused.
June 5, 2015
Review title: Mini Blitz history
I bought this book sight unseen from Borders based on the description, looking for a recent complete history of the bombing of London and other English ports and cities during World War II commonly known as "The Blitz." What I didn't notice was that this particular book consists of a pamphlet slim 56 pages, including many photographs scattered throughout on every page.
What is there is well-done, but buyer beware. If you want a comprehensive history, this isn't it. What it is is a good introduction, perhaps for a high school or college level lesson as part of a larger curriculum on the War or the 20th-century history of the UK. Doyle does a fine job as a writer telling the main elements of the story in such a condensed format, a writerly feat involving at least as much skill as writing a comprehensive history sprawled across a 1,000-page canvas.
While in Manchester, UK in 2010 for three months on a work assignment, I was able to see sections of Manchester that were reshaped by the Blitz (and by more-recent IRA terrorist bombings), and visit the Imperial War Museum North, which included film and artifacts on the Blitz. These tactile sensations left a strong impression on me of the breadth of the Blitz and the stoic persistence of the British. Doyle's introduction to the history across the country is just enough to make me want to see more.
I bought this book sight unseen from Borders based on the description, looking for a recent complete history of the bombing of London and other English ports and cities during World War II commonly known as "The Blitz." What I didn't notice was that this particular book consists of a pamphlet slim 56 pages, including many photographs scattered throughout on every page.
What is there is well-done, but buyer beware. If you want a comprehensive history, this isn't it. What it is is a good introduction, perhaps for a high school or college level lesson as part of a larger curriculum on the War or the 20th-century history of the UK. Doyle does a fine job as a writer telling the main elements of the story in such a condensed format, a writerly feat involving at least as much skill as writing a comprehensive history sprawled across a 1,000-page canvas.
While in Manchester, UK in 2010 for three months on a work assignment, I was able to see sections of Manchester that were reshaped by the Blitz (and by more-recent IRA terrorist bombings), and visit the Imperial War Museum North, which included film and artifacts on the Blitz. These tactile sensations left a strong impression on me of the breadth of the Blitz and the stoic persistence of the British. Doyle's introduction to the history across the country is just enough to make me want to see more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews