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Taking London: Winston Churchill and the Fight to Save Civilization
From Martin Dugard, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Bill O'Reilly's Killing series—with more than 12 million copies sold—comes a soaring account of England's desperate fight to fend off German invasion.
Great Britain, summer 1940. The Battle of France is over. The Battle of Britain is about to begin. Adolf Hitler’s powerful armies control Europe. England stands alone against this juggernaut, the whole world knowing it is only a matter of time before Nazi Germany unleashes its military might on the island nation. In London, a new prime minister named Winston Churchill is determined to defeat the Nazi menace, no matter the costs.
Luckily for Churchill, one quirky Englishman has seen the future. Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding is head of the Royal Air Force Fighter Command. He has spent years preparing his nation's aerial defenses, utilizing the new technology of radar, training hundreds of hand-picked young pilots, and overseeing the design and purchase of the world's most up-to-date fighter aircraft. In time, the names "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" will become iconic, these airplanes synonymous with a David versus Goliath struggle between the RAF and German Luftwaffe. For the first time in history, the battlefield will not be land or water but entirely contested in the blue skies above. Nazi victory depends upon their overwhelming air power. The fate of not just the British people, but all of Western Civilization, hinges on a small group of elite pilots stopping this onslaught—a band of brothers who will go down in history as the Few.
Taking London puts the reader inside the action, telling the complex personal sagas of Churchill, Dowding, and legendary fighter pilots like Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and American Billy Fiske, all set against the defiant backdrop of wartime London. Told in fast-paced, you-are-there fashion, this third book in the epic Taking series will have readers turning the pages late into the night.
Great Britain, summer 1940. The Battle of France is over. The Battle of Britain is about to begin. Adolf Hitler’s powerful armies control Europe. England stands alone against this juggernaut, the whole world knowing it is only a matter of time before Nazi Germany unleashes its military might on the island nation. In London, a new prime minister named Winston Churchill is determined to defeat the Nazi menace, no matter the costs.
Luckily for Churchill, one quirky Englishman has seen the future. Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding is head of the Royal Air Force Fighter Command. He has spent years preparing his nation's aerial defenses, utilizing the new technology of radar, training hundreds of hand-picked young pilots, and overseeing the design and purchase of the world's most up-to-date fighter aircraft. In time, the names "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" will become iconic, these airplanes synonymous with a David versus Goliath struggle between the RAF and German Luftwaffe. For the first time in history, the battlefield will not be land or water but entirely contested in the blue skies above. Nazi victory depends upon their overwhelming air power. The fate of not just the British people, but all of Western Civilization, hinges on a small group of elite pilots stopping this onslaught—a band of brothers who will go down in history as the Few.
Taking London puts the reader inside the action, telling the complex personal sagas of Churchill, Dowding, and legendary fighter pilots like Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and American Billy Fiske, all set against the defiant backdrop of wartime London. Told in fast-paced, you-are-there fashion, this third book in the epic Taking series will have readers turning the pages late into the night.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2024
175 people are currently reading
733 people want to read
About the author
Martin Dugard
54 books405 followersMartin Dugard is the New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Taking Series — including Taking Berlin (2022) and Taking Paris (2021).
Book Two in the Taking series is titled Taking Berlin, covering the final nine months of World War II in Europe. Taking Berlin goes on sale November 1, 2022.
He is also the co-author of the mega-million selling Killing books, the bestselling non-fiction series in history: Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing Reagan, Killing England, Killing the Rising Sun, Killing the SS, Killing Crazy Horse, Killing the Mob, and the upcoming Killing the Killers.
Other works include the New York Times bestseller The Murder of King Tut (with James Patterson; Little, Brown, 2009); The Last Voyage of Columbus (Little, Brown, 2005); Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone (Doubleday, 2003), Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook (Pocket Books, 2001), Knockdown (Pocket Books, 1999), and Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth (McGraw-Hill, 1998). In addition, Martin lived on the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of Survivor's inaugural season to write the bestselling Survivor with mega-producer Mark Burnett.
Book Two in the Taking series is titled Taking Berlin, covering the final nine months of World War II in Europe. Taking Berlin goes on sale November 1, 2022.
He is also the co-author of the mega-million selling Killing books, the bestselling non-fiction series in history: Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy, Killing Jesus, Killing Patton, Killing Reagan, Killing England, Killing the Rising Sun, Killing the SS, Killing Crazy Horse, Killing the Mob, and the upcoming Killing the Killers.
Other works include the New York Times bestseller The Murder of King Tut (with James Patterson; Little, Brown, 2009); The Last Voyage of Columbus (Little, Brown, 2005); Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone (Doubleday, 2003), Farther Than Any Man: The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook (Pocket Books, 2001), Knockdown (Pocket Books, 1999), and Surviving the Toughest Race on Earth (McGraw-Hill, 1998). In addition, Martin lived on the island of Pulau Tiga during the filming of Survivor's inaugural season to write the bestselling Survivor with mega-producer Mark Burnett.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 30, 2024
Well, Martin Dugard made me want to be a pilot for a few hundred pages so I would call his new book, Taking London, quite successful. Generally, I like my feet on the ground so this is no small feat.
Taking London is about the Battle of Britain told mostly through the actions of Winston Churchill, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding, and four fighter pilots. Dugard is going for action and excitement rather than analysis in the narrative. He uses short, evocative sentences to put the reader in the pilot's shoes. If you are well-read on the Battle of Britain, then you may not learn anything new, but you will enjoy the fighter sequences at the very least. Dugard is shooting for the casual reader who craves excitement as opposed to extensive diatribes on air tactics. Neither is better than the other. They are just different approaches and depends on what you are looking for.
The most effective sequences by far are with the fighter pilots. Their stories jump off the page and I would have read a book purely based on their stories. Dugard also adds context by giving short sequences to Churchill and Dowding which are vital to understanding what the pilots are facing why. Not all choices are effective, though. Sections devoted to Joe Kennedy and Edward Morrow could be eliminated without damaging the narrative at all. That said, the chapters are short and these sections are not all that distracting.
If you like Dugard's previous works then you will enjoy this one for sure.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Dutton Books.)
Taking London is about the Battle of Britain told mostly through the actions of Winston Churchill, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding, and four fighter pilots. Dugard is going for action and excitement rather than analysis in the narrative. He uses short, evocative sentences to put the reader in the pilot's shoes. If you are well-read on the Battle of Britain, then you may not learn anything new, but you will enjoy the fighter sequences at the very least. Dugard is shooting for the casual reader who craves excitement as opposed to extensive diatribes on air tactics. Neither is better than the other. They are just different approaches and depends on what you are looking for.
The most effective sequences by far are with the fighter pilots. Their stories jump off the page and I would have read a book purely based on their stories. Dugard also adds context by giving short sequences to Churchill and Dowding which are vital to understanding what the pilots are facing why. Not all choices are effective, though. Sections devoted to Joe Kennedy and Edward Morrow could be eliminated without damaging the narrative at all. That said, the chapters are short and these sections are not all that distracting.
If you like Dugard's previous works then you will enjoy this one for sure.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Dutton Books.)
March 3, 2025
The RAF and the Battle of Britain, thousands of pages have been written about them since 1940. There have been books which pooh-poohed the claims about 'the few,' but their bravery and the sacrifice cannot be denied.
This is not to say that Royal Navy and British Army did not do their part, but in that tortuous summer of 1940 all eyes looked to the skies for Britain's salvation, and rightly so.
This book details the actions of some of those in the line of fire: Churchill, Dowding of Fighter Command, Richard Hillary and Peter Townsend (pilots) and Edward R. Murrow. Their never-to-be-forgotten experiences during those trying days are well-known for the most part, but we owe it to ourselves to remember how different our world would be had they not achieved a remarkable victory.
This is not to say that Royal Navy and British Army did not do their part, but in that tortuous summer of 1940 all eyes looked to the skies for Britain's salvation, and rightly so.
This book details the actions of some of those in the line of fire: Churchill, Dowding of Fighter Command, Richard Hillary and Peter Townsend (pilots) and Edward R. Murrow. Their never-to-be-forgotten experiences during those trying days are well-known for the most part, but we owe it to ourselves to remember how different our world would be had they not achieved a remarkable victory.
April 9, 2024
The intended audience for this book must be the person who has heard of the Battle of Britain and Winston Churchill but knows absolutely nothing about them. This is history lite at its most superficial, barely scratching the surface of the momentous events of 1940 and offering no new insights or information. Churchill is a caricature clutching a cigar and is mostly portrayed through quotes from his most famous speeches. Despite the subtitle, the main focus of the book is on four fighter pilots, three of whom wrote their own war memoirs making the background research very easy for the author. The narrative jumps from the cockpit of a Spitfire to the House of Commons to an Edward Murrow broadcast and back again with an occasional brief stop at Hugh Dowding's fighter command, offering the reader no context or background to help understand some of the most pivotal events of the 20th century.
The writing style with brief, choppy sentences and short paragraphs contributes to the lack of depth. There are hundreds of better books on Churchill and the Battle of Britain and the reader would be better served by reading any of them.
The writing style with brief, choppy sentences and short paragraphs contributes to the lack of depth. There are hundreds of better books on Churchill and the Battle of Britain and the reader would be better served by reading any of them.
August 31, 2024
A new perspective
Taking London provided a new perspective on events surrounding the Battle of Britain. The book adds reality and depth to the actions and thoughts of those involved. Whereas the movie Battle of Britain focuses on the dramatic, Taking London focuses on reality.
Taking London is an informative and entertaining book that urges one to investigate further.
Taking London provided a new perspective on events surrounding the Battle of Britain. The book adds reality and depth to the actions and thoughts of those involved. Whereas the movie Battle of Britain focuses on the dramatic, Taking London focuses on reality.
Taking London is an informative and entertaining book that urges one to investigate further.
September 17, 2024
Marvelous book filled with memorable characters. Loved the detailed stories of the prime minister, a newsman, an entitled ambassador, and the vital role of pilots over 4 years leading up to the Battle of Britain. Interesting to read how the US was viewed prior to their entry into WW2.
September 8, 2024
Taking London is a thrilling and immersive journey into one of the most pivotal moments of World War II, capturing the intensity, heroism, and high-stakes drama of the Battle of Britain. The book transports readers to the summer of 1940, when Great Britain stood alone against the seemingly unstoppable Nazi juggernaut. With Europe under Hitler’s control, the world watched in anticipation as the island nation prepared for the inevitable onslaught. At the heart of this narrative is Winston Churchill, the newly appointed prime minister, whose indomitable spirit and determination to defeat the Nazi menace become a rallying cry for his people.
As someone who has long admired Winston Churchill, I must confess a slight bias. Churchill's ability to stand firm in the face of overwhelming odds and his relentless pursuit of what he believed to be right have always made him a hero in my eyes. This book reaffirms that admiration, offering new insights into his character and the critical decisions he made that changed the course of history.
However, what sets Taking London apart is its focus on the often-overlooked figures who played crucial roles in the defense of Britain—chief among them, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding. The book meticulously details Dowding's foresight in preparing the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command, from pioneering the use of radar to assembling a fleet of Spitfires and Hurricanes, which would become symbols of hope and resistance. The personal stories of the pilots, like Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and the American Billy Fiske, bring a human element to the epic struggle, making the reader feel the tension and camaraderie of these brave men who would become known as "the Few."
The narrative style is fast-paced and engaging, making history feel immediate and alive. The vivid descriptions of aerial dogfights and the palpable sense of danger hovering over wartime London pull the reader into the action, as if they are right there in the cockpit or walking through the bomb-ravaged streets. This is more than just a recounting of events; it is an homage to the courage, innovation, and resilience that turned the tide of World War II.
Taking London is the third installment in the Taking series, and it stands as a testament to the pivotal role these heroes played in shaping the outcome of the war. Whether you are a history buff or simply a lover of well-crafted narratives, this book is a must-read. It is a compelling reminder of how a small group of determined individuals can change the course of history.
I am now eager to dive into the first two books in this series.
As someone who has long admired Winston Churchill, I must confess a slight bias. Churchill's ability to stand firm in the face of overwhelming odds and his relentless pursuit of what he believed to be right have always made him a hero in my eyes. This book reaffirms that admiration, offering new insights into his character and the critical decisions he made that changed the course of history.
However, what sets Taking London apart is its focus on the often-overlooked figures who played crucial roles in the defense of Britain—chief among them, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding. The book meticulously details Dowding's foresight in preparing the Royal Air Force's Fighter Command, from pioneering the use of radar to assembling a fleet of Spitfires and Hurricanes, which would become symbols of hope and resistance. The personal stories of the pilots, like Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and the American Billy Fiske, bring a human element to the epic struggle, making the reader feel the tension and camaraderie of these brave men who would become known as "the Few."
The narrative style is fast-paced and engaging, making history feel immediate and alive. The vivid descriptions of aerial dogfights and the palpable sense of danger hovering over wartime London pull the reader into the action, as if they are right there in the cockpit or walking through the bomb-ravaged streets. This is more than just a recounting of events; it is an homage to the courage, innovation, and resilience that turned the tide of World War II.
Taking London is the third installment in the Taking series, and it stands as a testament to the pivotal role these heroes played in shaping the outcome of the war. Whether you are a history buff or simply a lover of well-crafted narratives, this book is a must-read. It is a compelling reminder of how a small group of determined individuals can change the course of history.
I am now eager to dive into the first two books in this series.
April 12, 2024
Martin Dugard offers up a book ostensibly about "Winston Churchill and the Fight to Save Civilization" but in fact, it's just as much about various fighter pilots that were part of the RAF during World War II, with surprisingly little about Churchill the man and his challenges during the early part of the War. Dugard offers up nothing that's new or enlightening about the era and its major people and events. On the other hand, I will admit that his writeup of the various flying tactics and overall air defense strategies was very interesting: He's at his best when offering up imagined first-person experiences from the cockpit of Spitfires and Hurricanes, the two planes that helped Britain hold off a numerically superior Luftwaffe armed with its feared Messerschmidt Me 109s.
The real weak point of "Taking London", however, is Dugard's writing style.
It's annoying.
And disruptive.
After a while alert readers will realize that it's a formula he's overusing, with a paragraph or two of generally short sentences. Some very short. Followed by a paragraph of just a few words, typically a counterpoint to the previous paragraph.
It's tedious.
What I found most ironic is that when he moved into the detailed Epilogue, he abandoned this breathless style and wrote far more compelling and interesting content; can we have a version of the book written in that manner instead, please?
Overall, if you're not knowledgeable about Britain's experience in World War II, its gruff but inspirational wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and how the island nation survived the Blitz and the Battle of Britain, this might be a good choice. Otherwise, there are better WWII histories of England, of Churchill, and of the RAF.
Disclosure: I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in return for this candid review.
The real weak point of "Taking London", however, is Dugard's writing style.
It's annoying.
And disruptive.
After a while alert readers will realize that it's a formula he's overusing, with a paragraph or two of generally short sentences. Some very short. Followed by a paragraph of just a few words, typically a counterpoint to the previous paragraph.
It's tedious.
What I found most ironic is that when he moved into the detailed Epilogue, he abandoned this breathless style and wrote far more compelling and interesting content; can we have a version of the book written in that manner instead, please?
Overall, if you're not knowledgeable about Britain's experience in World War II, its gruff but inspirational wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and how the island nation survived the Blitz and the Battle of Britain, this might be a good choice. Otherwise, there are better WWII histories of England, of Churchill, and of the RAF.
Disclosure: I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in return for this candid review.
August 12, 2024
Excellent!!
Well researched and very comprehensive without being boring.
Would recommend to anyone looking for an in depth look at this very trying time for UK.
Well researched and very comprehensive without being boring.
Would recommend to anyone looking for an in depth look at this very trying time for UK.
August 26, 2024
Excellent
Extremely insightful book about the Battle of Britain. While much has been written about the air battle, this book brings individual stones to live.
Extremely insightful book about the Battle of Britain. While much has been written about the air battle, this book brings individual stones to live.
August 31, 2024
We forget how long England fought by itself before the US got into the war. This was an eye-opening read.
September 9, 2024
Excellent history of the battle of Britain. Has some viewpoints of pilots and other unfamous, not so famous and very famous participants.
October 23, 2024
Very glad to have been able to interview Martin about this book. You could tell how passionate he is about the subject. Very well written, it reads like a movie.
August 28, 2025
Amazing Book. Not what I initially expected but phenomenal none the less
November 20, 2024
Very Good History Review
June 23, 2024
If you enjoy history, run, don’t walk to your nearest bookstore and get Taking London. If you’re not able to get to a brick and mortar bookstore, get it any way you are able. Once again, Martin Dugard has done his uniquely amazing trick of transporting the reader to a different time and place, this one 80 years ago in the city of London England, and makes us feel that we are present there and watching unfolding panels of history as witnesses. History stuffy? Not hardly!!! History full of anxiety, humor, fear, ebullience, honor, hope and valor. Several times while reading this I had to purposely slow myself down just to savor the sensation of inhabiting this other time and place. I cannot recommend this book enough.
November 3, 2023
With Europe plunging into WWII, and the rout at Dunkirk behind them, England is faced with the threat of an invasion by the Third Reich, and knows it stands alone.
Taking London skillfully weaves Winston Churchill's determination to defeat the Nazi war machine amongst the personal recollections of Dowding and pilots such as Townsend and Hillary; all taking place against the backdrop that is war time London.
Fast paced, when it needs to be to get the point across, and always grounded in a way the the reader feels the emotions that are written, Taking London is a book that any historian or lover of this period of WWII.will want to have on their bookshelf.
Taking London skillfully weaves Winston Churchill's determination to defeat the Nazi war machine amongst the personal recollections of Dowding and pilots such as Townsend and Hillary; all taking place against the backdrop that is war time London.
Fast paced, when it needs to be to get the point across, and always grounded in a way the the reader feels the emotions that are written, Taking London is a book that any historian or lover of this period of WWII.will want to have on their bookshelf.
May 4, 2024
An intriguing history of the Battle for Britain. Dugard’s book contains ample research and first person accounts of Churchill’s rise and the decisions of his War Council. The stories of the courageous pilots make this history worth reading as Britain staved off the air forces of Germany as the Germans had more power and were intent on destroying England. The brave and sometimes heartbreaking accounts of men who sacrificed their lives to save their country is inspiring and humbling.
A must read for history fans, especially WW II and the role of the RAF in saving England.
A must read for history fans, especially WW II and the role of the RAF in saving England.
August 11, 2024
My wife bought this book for me on a whim that I would enjoy it since I am an avid reader of all things Winston Churchill. This book goes in much more detail. It gives great detail of men that fought in the great “Battle of Britain” thus saving Britain from the invasion of Hitler’s Germany but more than that, the bravery of the British people and the great commentary that was given by the late great Edward R. Murrow. If a fan of Churchill or WW2, this book is a great read but also a very easy read. I plan on reading “Taking Berlin” next.
February 22, 2024
Possibly the most exciting history book / work of nonfiction I've ever read. The entire time I felt as if I were watching a movie in my head. It goes super quick and you really won't be able to put it down so tell your friends and family to leave you alone for a few hours, hunker down in your favorite spot, and enjoy the heck out of your time reading Taking London. You won't regret it!
June 19, 2024
This is my second experience with the author, after "To Be a Runner," and I have thoroughly enjoyed both books. While I am a history nerd with an affinity for Churchill, the biographies about the brave pilots involved in the Battle of Britain are wonderful. I will certainly be reading more by Martin Dugard.
August 7, 2024
You cannot find a better book about the Blitz
One of the best history books I have read in my life. Dugard is a master at this kind of history and I firmly recommend this book to all in reading.
One of the best history books I have read in my life. Dugard is a master at this kind of history and I firmly recommend this book to all in reading.
June 30, 2024
Great detailed, yet short read for anyone interested in a Battle of Britain primer. Not detailed enough to be considered a comprehensive history of the event, but very well done. Eminently readable.
July 28, 2024
An absolutely 'must read' book!
July 31, 2024
A thoroughly readable history of the first years of World War II in London. Spoiler alert! England eventually won!
October 23, 2024
Excellent Read!
Martin Dugard does an incredible job of putting the reader right in the action. I love all of his books!
Martin Dugard does an incredible job of putting the reader right in the action. I love all of his books!
March 16, 2025
good read, jittery joe getting appropriate recognition.
July 23, 2024
Given the plethora of WWII books, I am always amazed at the creativity of writers to pump out yet another. I love the cover of this book with its dramatic blue sky and a swarm of aircrafts while a somewhat slim Churchill, with his ever-present cigar and cane, looks out with both courage and trepidation.
Much of the information about the politics and the parliamentary tactics leading up to the war is well-known. However, the feature of the airmen is what I enjoyed best about this book. The famous Churchill line often quoted gives credence to the bravery of these dedicated men:
Never was so much, owed by so many, to so few.
These pilots fought like warriors and their love for country is unmatched. Their life was simply "take off, fight, land, refuel, and return to the sky. All day long, to the point of exhaustion."
Glaringly apparent is lack of resources both human and machine. Sad to note is that Britain had "eighteen rescue boats [are] responsible for the entire English coast, hardly enough to account for every downed pilot". At the start of the war, Germany had superior aircrafts and British pilots fly planes which require safety tweaks such as bullet proof cockpit.
The loss of veteran pilots at Dunkirk adds to the dearth of trained airmen and time is likewise limited to train replacements. Many enlisted men were rushed into service prematurely. As with Geoffrey Wellum aka "The Boy" who never flew a Spitfire nor combat missions, the squadron leader had no choice - "Wellum will have to teach himself...veteran pilots need to be knocking down German fighters, not babysitting."
This book reads like an action film as the reader follows the journey and career of the pilots featured from their initial enlistment to all that ensued - their injuries, conquests, demise, awards, fame, books, and a debt of gratitude owed.
• Geoffrey Wellum aka The Boy
• Peter Townsend
• Richard Hillary
• Billy Fiske (the American boy who gave his life for Britain)
Amidst the grit and bravery of the pilots is a similar display of commitment from Edward R Murrow, the journalist who worked the radio waves to tell the story as the Battle of Britain unfolds before his very eyes. A refresh on the sacrifices of brave men who fought to give us the free world today is worth reading and puts the line, Lest we forget, in greater perspective.
This quote provides a glimpse at what the people endured. I visited Portsmouth, Calais, and Cherbourg, Arras, and Normandy in France but there a few sites earmarked for my next visit to Britain
An ordinary British citizen - even the aviation-minded people of Portsmouth - would be hard-pressed to identify a single German aircraft on sight right now. Yet in time, they will distinguish a Heinkel bomber from a Dornier from a Junkers. Not just by silhouette, but also by speed and wasplike engine drone and size and weight of bombs spilling out their bellies. For these warplanes are the greatest threat to England's security and sovereignty in more than a century.
Much of the information about the politics and the parliamentary tactics leading up to the war is well-known. However, the feature of the airmen is what I enjoyed best about this book. The famous Churchill line often quoted gives credence to the bravery of these dedicated men:
Never was so much, owed by so many, to so few.
These pilots fought like warriors and their love for country is unmatched. Their life was simply "take off, fight, land, refuel, and return to the sky. All day long, to the point of exhaustion."
Glaringly apparent is lack of resources both human and machine. Sad to note is that Britain had "eighteen rescue boats [are] responsible for the entire English coast, hardly enough to account for every downed pilot". At the start of the war, Germany had superior aircrafts and British pilots fly planes which require safety tweaks such as bullet proof cockpit.
The loss of veteran pilots at Dunkirk adds to the dearth of trained airmen and time is likewise limited to train replacements. Many enlisted men were rushed into service prematurely. As with Geoffrey Wellum aka "The Boy" who never flew a Spitfire nor combat missions, the squadron leader had no choice - "Wellum will have to teach himself...veteran pilots need to be knocking down German fighters, not babysitting."
This book reads like an action film as the reader follows the journey and career of the pilots featured from their initial enlistment to all that ensued - their injuries, conquests, demise, awards, fame, books, and a debt of gratitude owed.
• Geoffrey Wellum aka The Boy
• Peter Townsend
• Richard Hillary
• Billy Fiske (the American boy who gave his life for Britain)
Amidst the grit and bravery of the pilots is a similar display of commitment from Edward R Murrow, the journalist who worked the radio waves to tell the story as the Battle of Britain unfolds before his very eyes. A refresh on the sacrifices of brave men who fought to give us the free world today is worth reading and puts the line, Lest we forget, in greater perspective.
This quote provides a glimpse at what the people endured. I visited Portsmouth, Calais, and Cherbourg, Arras, and Normandy in France but there a few sites earmarked for my next visit to Britain
An ordinary British citizen - even the aviation-minded people of Portsmouth - would be hard-pressed to identify a single German aircraft on sight right now. Yet in time, they will distinguish a Heinkel bomber from a Dornier from a Junkers. Not just by silhouette, but also by speed and wasplike engine drone and size and weight of bombs spilling out their bellies. For these warplanes are the greatest threat to England's security and sovereignty in more than a century.
July 7, 2024
In 1934, fifty-nine-year-old Winston Churchill, who had been relegated to the political wilderness because of the debacle at Gallipoli, warned in a radio address that if the British government did not prepare for war against Germany, England would be vulnerable to air raids and perhaps even invasion. After Neville Chamberlain's failed attempt to appease Hitler, Nazi troops stormed into Poland, and the German army would later occupy France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In 1940, sixty-five-year-old Winston Churchill replaced Chamberlain as Prime Minister and, with the help of such strategists as Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, led England in her ferocious resistance to the Nazi juggernaut. The new PM boosted his country's morale with his soaring rhetoric and fierce determination never to surrender.
Martin Dugard's "Taking London" is a fast-paced and engrossing work of popular history in which the author makes liberal use of sentence fragments and keeps his chapters short and punchy. We get to know such courageous fighter pilots as Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and Billy Fiske. In addition, we learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other airplanes that would take to the skies against the mighty Luftwaffe. Furthermore, Dugard provides insight into the pro-Nazi views of Joseph P. Kennedy (the U. S. Ambassador to Great Britain), and describes the reporting of the legendary Edward R. Murrow, whose live broadcasts from London enthralled his listeners.
This book is thrilling, suspenseful, and heartbreaking. Readers will admire the grit, not only of the RAF, but also of ordinary citizens who lived through the Blitz, a devastating German bombardment that lasted for nine months and killed more than 43,000 civilians. Dugard vividly recreates scenes of aerial dogfights during the Battle of Britain that tested the skill and mettle of the RAF pilots, some of whom were in their late teens and early twenties. Sadly, quite a few were killed, severely injured, and/or emotionally traumatized by their experiences. However, their tremendous sacrifice helped insure England's survival as a democracy.
Martin Dugard's "Taking London" is a fast-paced and engrossing work of popular history in which the author makes liberal use of sentence fragments and keeps his chapters short and punchy. We get to know such courageous fighter pilots as Peter Townsend, Geoffrey Wellum, Richard Hillary, and Billy Fiske. In addition, we learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other airplanes that would take to the skies against the mighty Luftwaffe. Furthermore, Dugard provides insight into the pro-Nazi views of Joseph P. Kennedy (the U. S. Ambassador to Great Britain), and describes the reporting of the legendary Edward R. Murrow, whose live broadcasts from London enthralled his listeners.
This book is thrilling, suspenseful, and heartbreaking. Readers will admire the grit, not only of the RAF, but also of ordinary citizens who lived through the Blitz, a devastating German bombardment that lasted for nine months and killed more than 43,000 civilians. Dugard vividly recreates scenes of aerial dogfights during the Battle of Britain that tested the skill and mettle of the RAF pilots, some of whom were in their late teens and early twenties. Sadly, quite a few were killed, severely injured, and/or emotionally traumatized by their experiences. However, their tremendous sacrifice helped insure England's survival as a democracy.
March 16, 2025
Martin Dugard has already given us "Taking Paris," "Taking Berlin," and now "Taking London." This book is difficult to put down as you read the personal accounts of the men and women who laid down their lives to save Britain from Hitler. The Battle of Britain is the hinge of the book, looking backward to Churchill’s exceptional foresight, the work of Dowding and others, the sacrifice of the pilots; while looking forward to America’s entry into the war, told through Churchill’s friendship with FDR, and the use of Dugard’s insertion of the great Edward Murrow’s brave broadcasts to carry that arc of the story.
Although the subtitle of the book credits Churchill with the fight to save civilization, in the end Dugard makes clear that it was the courageous pilots of the RAF (including some Americans who volunteered to fight with England) and their superior fighter planes that won the Battle of Britain and prevented Hitler from “taking London.” Which is why Churchill told his countrymen: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much, owed by so many, to so few.” This is what makes this book interesting as the reader is put in the cockpit of Hawker Hurricane, a Supermarine Spitfire, and a Avro Lancaster bomber to dogfight the Nazi's. Awesome planes! It gives great detail of men that fought in the great “Battle of Britain” thus saving Britain from the invasion of Hitler’s Germany but more than that, the bravery of the British people
The author’s writing is visual and crisp. His words efficiently form short sentences, creating an engaging story. Martin Dugard's history of the Battle of Britan is an outstanding example and successful application of this method. Mixing political leadership, military innovation and leadership, the citizens experience and the memoirs of the pilots who survived; gives the reader a sense of immediacy. It is not meant to be a comprehensive and exhausting detailed analysis of the battle. It is a chronicle of the immediate experience. You can't help but to enjoy it and have a greater perception and importance of the outcome of this battle. Awesome read!
Although the subtitle of the book credits Churchill with the fight to save civilization, in the end Dugard makes clear that it was the courageous pilots of the RAF (including some Americans who volunteered to fight with England) and their superior fighter planes that won the Battle of Britain and prevented Hitler from “taking London.” Which is why Churchill told his countrymen: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much, owed by so many, to so few.” This is what makes this book interesting as the reader is put in the cockpit of Hawker Hurricane, a Supermarine Spitfire, and a Avro Lancaster bomber to dogfight the Nazi's. Awesome planes! It gives great detail of men that fought in the great “Battle of Britain” thus saving Britain from the invasion of Hitler’s Germany but more than that, the bravery of the British people
The author’s writing is visual and crisp. His words efficiently form short sentences, creating an engaging story. Martin Dugard's history of the Battle of Britan is an outstanding example and successful application of this method. Mixing political leadership, military innovation and leadership, the citizens experience and the memoirs of the pilots who survived; gives the reader a sense of immediacy. It is not meant to be a comprehensive and exhausting detailed analysis of the battle. It is a chronicle of the immediate experience. You can't help but to enjoy it and have a greater perception and importance of the outcome of this battle. Awesome read!
June 13, 2024
Taking London by Martin Dugard is a bit misleading in both the title and the cover. The author does spend some time on Churchill and Chamberlain and their opposing views of Germany's intentions in the decade or so before the war. Churchill spent years trying to persuade the country to prepare for another war with Germany, but the majority of England still resisted the idea.
With Germany's move on Poland, however, public opinion began a slow change and Churchill began climbing back to influence and power, continuing to warn of the need to be prepared. Then France falls.
I found the first section disjointed, although there was interesting information about the "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" fighter aircraft, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding, the RAF/Luftwaffe differences, and the efforts to prepare for invasion before the Battle of Britain.
The majority of the book deals with four legendary fighter pilots and their personal experiences. The sections on the pilots (Peter Townsend, Richard Hillary, Geoffrey Wellum, and the lone American, Billy Fiske, long before America entered the war) were much better written and flowed more easily, even though the author went back and forth between them and their individual missions to hold back the Luftwaffe. The Battle of Britain has been described as a "David vs Goliath" situation as England was badly outnumbered in both planes and pilots.
The book would certainly have benefitted with a thorough proofreading to give a more coherent presentation. The information on the individual pilots and their accounts made it worth persevering.
"RAF pilots were at the heart of the Battle of Britain. Just 3,000 men stood between Britain and a German invasion – those who Winston Churchill famously called 'The Few'."
WWII nonfiction, Print length: 349 pages.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group
With Germany's move on Poland, however, public opinion began a slow change and Churchill began climbing back to influence and power, continuing to warn of the need to be prepared. Then France falls.
I found the first section disjointed, although there was interesting information about the "Spitfire" and "Hurricane" fighter aircraft, Air Vice-Marshall Hugh Dowding, the RAF/Luftwaffe differences, and the efforts to prepare for invasion before the Battle of Britain.
The majority of the book deals with four legendary fighter pilots and their personal experiences. The sections on the pilots (Peter Townsend, Richard Hillary, Geoffrey Wellum, and the lone American, Billy Fiske, long before America entered the war) were much better written and flowed more easily, even though the author went back and forth between them and their individual missions to hold back the Luftwaffe. The Battle of Britain has been described as a "David vs Goliath" situation as England was badly outnumbered in both planes and pilots.
The book would certainly have benefitted with a thorough proofreading to give a more coherent presentation. The information on the individual pilots and their accounts made it worth persevering.
"RAF pilots were at the heart of the Battle of Britain. Just 3,000 men stood between Britain and a German invasion – those who Winston Churchill famously called 'The Few'."
WWII nonfiction, Print length: 349 pages.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group
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