Spitfire : The Autobiography

by Jon E. Lewis (Editor)

A celebration of the machine and the men who took to the skies in defence of Britain. It is also the dramatic illustration of a little understood truth: the Spitfire did more than win the Battle of Britain - it won the war. It was not Stalingrad which turned the corner of the war against Hitler, it was the Spitfire in the summer of 1940 when RAF...

Genres: History

328 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2010

About the author

Jon E. Lewis is a historian and writer, whose books on history and military history are sold worldwide. He is also editor of many The Mammoth Book of anthologies, including the bestselling On the Edge and Endurance and Adventure.

He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in history. His work has appeared in New Statesman, the Independent, Time Out and the Guardian. He lives in Herefordshire with his partner and children.

From: Constable & Robinson

Reviews

[Douglas Evans]

Vry interesting

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book puts a number of pilot stories together in a clever way which makes the reader fully understand what is was like to fly a spitfire during the war. The individual accounts are gripping and make their brave story come alive.

[Michael Percy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was rather gripping. The editing is exceptional, and I couldn't help thinking that it truly was the story of the Supermarine Spitfire as written by the men who flew the machines. The narrator was largely non-existent enabling the stories of the pilots and those who worked closely with the Spitfire (or against it in a few instances) to come to life. While undoubtedly a Boys Own-ish, I was hooked from beginning to end.

[Rachel Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible account of the Spitfire from the 'first design drawings' to the Korean War, including stories from the pilots - truly amazing.