What do you think?
Rate this book
Dambuster: The Life of Guy Gibson VC
FEW MEN HAVE A BETTER CLAIM TO BE CALLED A LEGEND IN THEIR OWN LIFETIME THAN GUY GIBSON.
Leader of the famous Dambuster Raid of May 1943, which became part of the popular folklore of the Second World War after the film in which Richard Todd took the part of the hero, Gibson himself was tragically in an air crash in 1944.
Born in India in 1918 and brought up in England, Guy Gibson joined the RAF in November 1936. Thereafter his career can be seen as a battle between, on the one hand, his uncertain temperament and less than ideal private life, and, on the other, his undoubted skills as an airman and as a leader of men.
The war was to bring him adventure and, later, fame. He took part in the first aerial attack of the war, on the Kiel Canal; he served in Fighter Command and then, in 1943, came the famous raid on the Mohne and Eder dams for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
By now a hero of international fame, he was sent on a Public Relations tour of North America, but he was above all a flyer and, refusing to remain grounded, he died an airman’s death.
This new edition, which draws on conversations with members of Gibson’s family and on notes made by his widow, expands upon his early life in a severely dysfunctional family, his unhappy marriage and the possible reason for his untimely death in September 1944.
Leader of the famous Dambuster Raid of May 1943, which became part of the popular folklore of the Second World War after the film in which Richard Todd took the part of the hero, Gibson himself was tragically in an air crash in 1944.
Born in India in 1918 and brought up in England, Guy Gibson joined the RAF in November 1936. Thereafter his career can be seen as a battle between, on the one hand, his uncertain temperament and less than ideal private life, and, on the other, his undoubted skills as an airman and as a leader of men.
The war was to bring him adventure and, later, fame. He took part in the first aerial attack of the war, on the Kiel Canal; he served in Fighter Command and then, in 1943, came the famous raid on the Mohne and Eder dams for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
By now a hero of international fame, he was sent on a Public Relations tour of North America, but he was above all a flyer and, refusing to remain grounded, he died an airman’s death.
This new edition, which draws on conversations with members of Gibson’s family and on notes made by his widow, expands upon his early life in a severely dysfunctional family, his unhappy marriage and the possible reason for his untimely death in September 1944.
- GenresWorld War IIHistory
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 1994
About the author
Susan Ottaway
14 books15 followersSusan Ottaway was born in Windsor, brought up in Egham and educated at Sir William Perkins's Girls School in nearby Chertsey. The daughter of an aircraft engineer, she has had a lifelong enthusiasm for aeroplanes and books. She worked for four different airlines over a period of 20 years, mainly in the UK but also in Germany and Australia, and wrote her first book, a biography of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC, before leaving the world of aviation. She then worked as a freelance editor and has since written six more books.
Her books include Violette Szabo: The Life That I Have, a biography of SOE agent Violette Szabo for which she personally interviewed Eileen Nearne. She has appeared on BBC national television to be interviewed about her work, and she took part in the four-part television series for the Discovery History Channel entitled George Cross Heroes.
Susan is a guest speaker on battlefield tours and in 2008 she delivered the Annual Dambuster Lecture at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, home of the wartime 617 'Dambuster' Squadron.
- compiled from Andrew Lownie Literary Agency and Harper Collins
Her books include Violette Szabo: The Life That I Have, a biography of SOE agent Violette Szabo for which she personally interviewed Eileen Nearne. She has appeared on BBC national television to be interviewed about her work, and she took part in the four-part television series for the Discovery History Channel entitled George Cross Heroes.
Susan is a guest speaker on battlefield tours and in 2008 she delivered the Annual Dambuster Lecture at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, home of the wartime 617 'Dambuster' Squadron.
- compiled from Andrew Lownie Literary Agency and Harper Collins
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2018
Dambuster: The Life of Guy Gibson VC is a must-read for anyone with an interest in military history. Author Susan Ottaway, an acclaimed historian, has written a moving account of the life of this distinguished WWII airman.
The book paints a sad picture of an unhappy childhood. His parents separated whilst the family lived in India; his mother returning to England with Guy, his brother Alick and sister Joan. Her lack of parenting skills and subsequent descent into alcoholism meant the siblings were often neglected. His father was a cold, uncaring man who wanted little to do with his children; preferring instead to pursue his own selfish needs.
Despite his dysfunctional background, Guy was determined to make a success of his life and remained close to his brother and sister. In 1936 he joined the RAF and after several postings and promotions led 617 Squadron on the famous Dambuster Raid in 1943. Later that year he was awarded the Victoria Cross and at the age of just 24 he had become the most decorated man of the entire war. His life was tragically cut short in 1944 when he died in an air crash over Holland.
The book brings to the forefront the sacrifice and bravery of servicemen during WWII. It's an extremely well-researched and well-written account of an incredible man who gave his life for his country. I very much enjoyed the writing style; it wasn't too bogged down with facts and figures. Everything was presented in way that could be easily understood and digested. Reading it has given me a greater understanding and depth of knowledge of this period in our history.
*My thanks to author Susan Ottaway and David Haviland at Andrew Lownie Literary Agency for a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: http://bit.ly/2GO79OI
The book paints a sad picture of an unhappy childhood. His parents separated whilst the family lived in India; his mother returning to England with Guy, his brother Alick and sister Joan. Her lack of parenting skills and subsequent descent into alcoholism meant the siblings were often neglected. His father was a cold, uncaring man who wanted little to do with his children; preferring instead to pursue his own selfish needs.
Despite his dysfunctional background, Guy was determined to make a success of his life and remained close to his brother and sister. In 1936 he joined the RAF and after several postings and promotions led 617 Squadron on the famous Dambuster Raid in 1943. Later that year he was awarded the Victoria Cross and at the age of just 24 he had become the most decorated man of the entire war. His life was tragically cut short in 1944 when he died in an air crash over Holland.
The book brings to the forefront the sacrifice and bravery of servicemen during WWII. It's an extremely well-researched and well-written account of an incredible man who gave his life for his country. I very much enjoyed the writing style; it wasn't too bogged down with facts and figures. Everything was presented in way that could be easily understood and digested. Reading it has given me a greater understanding and depth of knowledge of this period in our history.
*My thanks to author Susan Ottaway and David Haviland at Andrew Lownie Literary Agency for a copy of this book.
Read my review on my blog: http://bit.ly/2GO79OI
February 23, 2019
It reads like the boy's own adventure stories, like Biggles that I read and I loved in my childhood. Guy Gibson was a World War 2 bomber pilot hero and his excellent biography tells a story of a driven man who came from an unhappy and unstable childhood who seemed to have a death wish that made his eventual killed in action fate inevitable. As well as the story about Gibson, the book also tells a great deal about the life and times of wartime Britain and the harsh conditions and poor food that was endured by the population.
February 4, 2023
View of a hero
This is a competent biography of someone who died very young.
War brought out outstanding qualities in some. Guy Gibson was one. His fame as the result of the Dambusters raid led to his being taken away from combative flying and led to great unhappiness. On his return he was killed, possibly by unfriendly fire.
If his only happiness was in aerial combat he was almost bound to face an early death.
If there had been no war would we have ever heard of him?
War produces these heroes then destroys them.
We do need these people but they are victims.
This is a competent biography of someone who died very young.
War brought out outstanding qualities in some. Guy Gibson was one. His fame as the result of the Dambusters raid led to his being taken away from combative flying and led to great unhappiness. On his return he was killed, possibly by unfriendly fire.
If his only happiness was in aerial combat he was almost bound to face an early death.
If there had been no war would we have ever heard of him?
War produces these heroes then destroys them.
We do need these people but they are victims.
December 12, 2017
Thanks
It was lovely to read Guy Gibson's biography my eldest brother was killed in the RAF, and my other brother flew Vulcan bombers in 617 squadron and met Richard Todd at Scampton when they were making the film Dambusters
It was lovely to read Guy Gibson's biography my eldest brother was killed in the RAF, and my other brother flew Vulcan bombers in 617 squadron and met Richard Todd at Scampton when they were making the film Dambusters
April 3, 2018
Brilliant
Found out so much about the man,the hero I have known about since my childhood, the text trying to explain all aspects off Gibson's character and of those surrounding him
Found out so much about the man,the hero I have known about since my childhood, the text trying to explain all aspects off Gibson's character and of those surrounding him
February 20, 2020
This very short biography of WW2 RAF hero Guy Gibson, is lacking in the personal touch but does nonetheless do everything it says on the tin. It is well researched and covers the key moments in Gibsons life.
May 28, 2021
An entertaining biography of the WWII bomber pilot and Victoria Cross winner. I've read Gibson's own book
Want to Read
March 30, 2013Excellent read.
December 6, 2017
I could not finish the book. The writing had too much of a juvenile feel to it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews