Dunkirk

by R. Conrad Stein, Robert L. Messer (Contributor)

Details the heroic evacuation of Allied troops from the beach at Dunkirk by both British naval ships and civilian craft in June 1940, despite heavy German bombardment.

48 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1982

Reviews

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/29/2018 ~~ First, I found it very interesting that a 36 year old book was still on the shelves at my library. I happened across it while looking at books about geography. Surprisingly, the book held up. There were many period photographs of the war-torn villages in France, the battleships, and the small craft used in the Dunkirk evacuation. This quickly read book for the children's market provided context for the current movie titled Dunkirk and the biographical drama about Churchill, Darkest Hour.

My only quibble comes in answer to the question "Who's story isn't told?" On p. 25, the author writes, "The men aboard [the rescue boats] were bankers, schoolteachers, factory workers..." and "...to answer the call for men to work on the rescue ships." On p. 26, the text continues with, "Elderly wealthy gentlemen were pressed into service..." Women's role in serving during the Dunkirk rescue is completely missing. I'd be interested to read primary source documents or a more modern account of this important historical event to see how women might be represented there.

If this is the only text available about the dramatic wartime rescue of the Allied army during the opening phase of WWII, it is definitely acceptable.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I know the true story, I need to see the movie! Pretty incredible.

[Kevin Comfort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and gives a great overview of Dunkirk.