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Breaking Point: A Novel of The Battle of Britain
Breaking Point, a novel by John Rhodes, tells the story of the Battle of Britain and the men and women who fought it...
It's August, 1940. Hitler’s triumphant Third Reich has crushed all Europe—except Britain. As Hitler launches a massive aerial assault, only the heavily outnumbered British RAF and the iron will of Winston Churchill can stop him. The fate of Western civilization teeters in the balance. Johnnie Shaux, a Spitfire fighter pilot, knows that the average life expectancy of a pilot is a mere five hours of operational flying time. Sooner or later his luck will run out. Yet he must constantly summon up the fortitude to fly into conditions in which death is all but inevitable and continue to do so until the inevitable occurs…Meanwhile, Eleanor Rand, a WAAF staff officer in RAF headquarters, is struggling to find her role in a man’s world and to make a contribution to the battle. She studies the control room maps that track the ebb and flow of conflict, the aerial thrust and parry, and begins to see the glimmerings of a radical strategic breakthrough…Breaking Point is based on the actual events of six days in the historic Battle of Britain. The story alternates between Johnnie, face to face with the implacable enemy; and Eleanor, in 11 Group headquarters, using ‘zero-sum’ game theory to evolve a strategic model of the battle.
It's August, 1940. Hitler’s triumphant Third Reich has crushed all Europe—except Britain. As Hitler launches a massive aerial assault, only the heavily outnumbered British RAF and the iron will of Winston Churchill can stop him. The fate of Western civilization teeters in the balance. Johnnie Shaux, a Spitfire fighter pilot, knows that the average life expectancy of a pilot is a mere five hours of operational flying time. Sooner or later his luck will run out. Yet he must constantly summon up the fortitude to fly into conditions in which death is all but inevitable and continue to do so until the inevitable occurs…Meanwhile, Eleanor Rand, a WAAF staff officer in RAF headquarters, is struggling to find her role in a man’s world and to make a contribution to the battle. She studies the control room maps that track the ebb and flow of conflict, the aerial thrust and parry, and begins to see the glimmerings of a radical strategic breakthrough…Breaking Point is based on the actual events of six days in the historic Battle of Britain. The story alternates between Johnnie, face to face with the implacable enemy; and Eleanor, in 11 Group headquarters, using ‘zero-sum’ game theory to evolve a strategic model of the battle.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2019
393 people are currently reading
1115 people want to read
About the author
John Rhodes
63 books40 followersJohn Rhodes is the award winning author of the Breaking Point series set in the Battle of Britain, and of the Thomas Ford ‘cozy’ detective series. Rhodes graduated from Cambridge University where he studied history. His focus on World War II stems from his earliest memories—he was born while his father was serving at an RAF Fighter Command airfield, and he grew up in London, where, he says, the shells of bombed-out buildings ‘served as our adventure playgrounds.’
He is currently working on a third book in the Breaking Point series, set in Malta in 1942, and another ‘whodunit’ murder case for Thomas Ford to solve.
He is currently working on a third book in the Breaking Point series, set in Malta in 1942, and another ‘whodunit’ murder case for Thomas Ford to solve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
February 4, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5.0
This book does not feel like a historical fiction novel, but like a historical nonfiction novel. The historical detail is absolutely stunning and immense.
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
This book does not feel like a historical fiction novel, but like a historical nonfiction novel. The historical detail is absolutely stunning and immense.
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read
January 30, 2020"This book does not feel like a historical fiction novel, but like a historical nonfiction novel."
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
March 23, 2021
I’ve read several Battle of Britain pilot biographies and many accounts about the air war in WW2, but I found this a novel and interesting way of portraying the battle.
The book follows Johnnie Shaux, a spitfire pilot during the most intense part of the battle. This was similar to many other books I have read, but I thought it was well done, although Squadron Leader Debenham was a bit of a caricature.
What made this book a bit different was Eleanor, she provided an interesting look ‘behind the scenes’, especially a small insight into Keith Park, who was a tactical genius.
Although this was fiction it felt authentic and I will definitely be reading the next book.
The book follows Johnnie Shaux, a spitfire pilot during the most intense part of the battle. This was similar to many other books I have read, but I thought it was well done, although Squadron Leader Debenham was a bit of a caricature.
What made this book a bit different was Eleanor, she provided an interesting look ‘behind the scenes’, especially a small insight into Keith Park, who was a tactical genius.
Although this was fiction it felt authentic and I will definitely be reading the next book.
September 25, 2019
I was asked to review by Lovereading.co.uk
Having read about this period in the war and admiring pilots such as Geoffrey Wellum. I was keen to read this. Well researched and based on six days during the famous Battle of Britain where the airmen's life expectancy was actually something in the region of 4 weeks. At that time Europe was crushed by the Nazi and it could have been our turn next but the Battle of Britain played such a pilotable role in this. But as the novel shows this was not just about the airmen themselves women - working in the ops and maps rooms knowing what was happening but struggling to be recognised in their roles.
We have Johnnie the pilot and Eleanor in this story and the book alternates around these two main characters.
The author portrays this time well and those who have studied this time know, Britain was at the brink and history could have taken a very different turn.
Whether the reader is familiar with this period in history it makes a good read and highly recommended and those interested in this part of history the authors notes were fascinating and the reader can learn so much,
I look forward to reading more from John Rhodes.
Having read about this period in the war and admiring pilots such as Geoffrey Wellum. I was keen to read this. Well researched and based on six days during the famous Battle of Britain where the airmen's life expectancy was actually something in the region of 4 weeks. At that time Europe was crushed by the Nazi and it could have been our turn next but the Battle of Britain played such a pilotable role in this. But as the novel shows this was not just about the airmen themselves women - working in the ops and maps rooms knowing what was happening but struggling to be recognised in their roles.
We have Johnnie the pilot and Eleanor in this story and the book alternates around these two main characters.
The author portrays this time well and those who have studied this time know, Britain was at the brink and history could have taken a very different turn.
Whether the reader is familiar with this period in history it makes a good read and highly recommended and those interested in this part of history the authors notes were fascinating and the reader can learn so much,
I look forward to reading more from John Rhodes.
Read
February 3, 2024Something was not there
Too much to little, or vice vrrsa, I am a bit convoluted as to this book what ever read it
Too much to little, or vice vrrsa, I am a bit convoluted as to this book what ever read it
April 15, 2020
The "Battle of Britain" is one of those pieces of WWII history that I knew very abstractly as the aerial war for supremacy over England's skies. Everyone knows about "the Blitz" and there are innumerable works of fiction set amidst the bombs falling on London. That's not what this book is about -- rather, it is about a few specific weeks (August 18-September 8) in 1940, when the fate of Britain stood in the balance.
The book alternates between two characters who were friends at Oxford -- Johnnie Shaux was a orphan and scholarship boy, serving as the kind of fourth wheel for Eleanor Rand and her two suitors. Now, he's a Spitfire pilot at a fictional airbase in the south of England, flying up to five sorties a day against the Luftwaffe coming across the channel. Eleanor is a war widow in the WAAF, assigned to Fighter Command, where her mathematical prowess is discovered as a potential tool for analysis. Naturally, over the course of the book, feelings for each other will emerge.
However, the romance is all a bit rote -- what's far better about the book is how it captures the technical and mental aspects of aerial warfare and the potential for applied math in strategy. The author manages to explain the tactics of engagement, as well as the technical aspects of the planes in a way that supports the action and narrative, without being dry. Similarly, he cleverly imagines how Eleanor's application of then-developing minimax theories in mathematics could have been applied to the Battle of Britain, and used to predict strategy and outcomes. The two angles are blended quite well, along with excellent detail about daily life under aerial siege.
There are some minor quibbles to be had, to be sure -- Johnnie's initial commander is a bit over-the-top as a cad, and then a later one is a little too good to be true. And I could have done without all the times that he summons quotes from Yeats, Shakespeare, and Ovid -- those came off as rather clunky. There's also a scene where Eleanor goes up in a plane with Johnnie that's also a bit too much. However, on the whole, it's a very solid story that illuminates a key point of World War II which should appeal to most fans of historical military fiction.
The book alternates between two characters who were friends at Oxford -- Johnnie Shaux was a orphan and scholarship boy, serving as the kind of fourth wheel for Eleanor Rand and her two suitors. Now, he's a Spitfire pilot at a fictional airbase in the south of England, flying up to five sorties a day against the Luftwaffe coming across the channel. Eleanor is a war widow in the WAAF, assigned to Fighter Command, where her mathematical prowess is discovered as a potential tool for analysis. Naturally, over the course of the book, feelings for each other will emerge.
However, the romance is all a bit rote -- what's far better about the book is how it captures the technical and mental aspects of aerial warfare and the potential for applied math in strategy. The author manages to explain the tactics of engagement, as well as the technical aspects of the planes in a way that supports the action and narrative, without being dry. Similarly, he cleverly imagines how Eleanor's application of then-developing minimax theories in mathematics could have been applied to the Battle of Britain, and used to predict strategy and outcomes. The two angles are blended quite well, along with excellent detail about daily life under aerial siege.
There are some minor quibbles to be had, to be sure -- Johnnie's initial commander is a bit over-the-top as a cad, and then a later one is a little too good to be true. And I could have done without all the times that he summons quotes from Yeats, Shakespeare, and Ovid -- those came off as rather clunky. There's also a scene where Eleanor goes up in a plane with Johnnie that's also a bit too much. However, on the whole, it's a very solid story that illuminates a key point of World War II which should appeal to most fans of historical military fiction.
October 6, 2019
When it comes to Historical Fiction, Breaking Point is top notch. Those six days of the Battle of Britain were detailed so well that the Reader’s emotions were truly stirred. Told from both a pilot and a female WAAF staff officer in RAF headquarters POV makes it very moving and a notable read.
November 3, 2020
Breaking Point is a World-War-Two historical novel based on actual events during the Battle Of Britain. The story alternates between Johnnie, a spitfire pilot who is in the middle of the conflict, and Eleanor, a talented mathematician. She uses a theorem to help the RAF maintain superiority during the days surrounding the fight, when the odds look as if they are against them.
Johnnie Shaux is a pilot in 339 Squadron; every day that he comes home alive he’s beating the average pilot survival rate, but he’s realistic about his chances of continued existence. When the airfield his team use is bombed, they are moved to a reserve site which was once a village cricket green. The local villagers rally to provide food and shelter while a retired college professor is drafted in to transform the green grass into a working airfield.
Eleanor Rand works at the Air Ministry in London, her job is to put together air battle reports. With the Luftwaffe’s increased bombing raids against the RAF the figures look depressing. But Eleanor believes that she can do something more with the figures and she works out how best to deploy the dwindling numbers RAF pilots and place them where they are most effective against the larger number of German aircraft.
This was a very interesting story, I love well-written war tales, and I felt all the tension and terror as if I was right there with the characters. Taking to the skies with Johnnie was never dull and the air battle scenes were written in such a way that each one was understandable without it feeling like it was dumbed down for the reader. I enjoyed the camaraderie within the squadron too, especially when they weren’t flying, but the horrors of war were never forgotten or overlooked. Eleanor’s mathematical approach was so convincing and it made me believe it was totally plausible; the author did a really good job of making it appealing to this non-mathematician.
At the end of the book the author provides a series of notes, which were just as interesting as his story; I read them all. I’m now looking forward to reading book two of this series as Breaking Point ticked all my boxes for a really good piece of historical fiction from the world war era.
Johnnie Shaux is a pilot in 339 Squadron; every day that he comes home alive he’s beating the average pilot survival rate, but he’s realistic about his chances of continued existence. When the airfield his team use is bombed, they are moved to a reserve site which was once a village cricket green. The local villagers rally to provide food and shelter while a retired college professor is drafted in to transform the green grass into a working airfield.
Eleanor Rand works at the Air Ministry in London, her job is to put together air battle reports. With the Luftwaffe’s increased bombing raids against the RAF the figures look depressing. But Eleanor believes that she can do something more with the figures and she works out how best to deploy the dwindling numbers RAF pilots and place them where they are most effective against the larger number of German aircraft.
This was a very interesting story, I love well-written war tales, and I felt all the tension and terror as if I was right there with the characters. Taking to the skies with Johnnie was never dull and the air battle scenes were written in such a way that each one was understandable without it feeling like it was dumbed down for the reader. I enjoyed the camaraderie within the squadron too, especially when they weren’t flying, but the horrors of war were never forgotten or overlooked. Eleanor’s mathematical approach was so convincing and it made me believe it was totally plausible; the author did a really good job of making it appealing to this non-mathematician.
At the end of the book the author provides a series of notes, which were just as interesting as his story; I read them all. I’m now looking forward to reading book two of this series as Breaking Point ticked all my boxes for a really good piece of historical fiction from the world war era.
November 7, 2023
A new author for me, but one to which I shall be returning, particularly the three further novels that follow this one.
Despite an uneven 'Audible' recording, this was a very fine tale of slowly realised romance and innovative mathmatical application applied to mechanised warfare, all set against the deadly aerial dance that was the Battle of Britain, where life expectancy of the so very young pilots was more often than not measured in just hours.
Fascinating, interesting, and with a solid emotional core, I am most definitely looking forward to reading the next novel.
Despite an uneven 'Audible' recording, this was a very fine tale of slowly realised romance and innovative mathmatical application applied to mechanised warfare, all set against the deadly aerial dance that was the Battle of Britain, where life expectancy of the so very young pilots was more often than not measured in just hours.
Fascinating, interesting, and with a solid emotional core, I am most definitely looking forward to reading the next novel.
February 13, 2022
Excellent book. Writing is crisp and literate. Period setting descriptions and dialog really help to immerse the reader back into early 1940's England.
This is easily the best fiction book I have read to give insights into the Battle of Britain. And adding a math-based sub-plot twist was fun.
My only criticism is that I wish the math logic around asymmetrical game theory had been expanded mathematically. (Says the math-geek.)
This is easily the best fiction book I have read to give insights into the Battle of Britain. And adding a math-based sub-plot twist was fun.
My only criticism is that I wish the math logic around asymmetrical game theory had been expanded mathematically. (Says the math-geek.)
October 17, 2020
Breaking Point by John Rhodes is subtitled A Novel of the Battle of Britain , and it is a very good one. I recommend it to all who enjoy a historical novel of WWII .
The writing is fluid, the plot straightforward and the two primary characters, John Shaux ( pronounced Shaw) and Elinor Rand are captivating.
Shaux is a pilot who survived being shot down over Dunkirk and being bombed out the ancient boat that was ferrying him tho England. At the beginning of the novel, he is flying Spitfires against the Luftwaffe in the nascent Battle of Britain. Having survived death twice and near misses many times while his comrades fell from the skies, Shaux has become a fatalist: fate will eventually catch up with him.
Elinor Rand is a war widow and an Oxford- trained mathematician during duty compiling statistics as a newly minted Air Auxiliary officer in combat control centers. As RAF losses mount she sees a faint glimmer of of hope in the numbers: though RAF losses are near to the crippling point, German losses are comparatively worse. Her superior officers notice and appreciate her work, and present to the higher ups , and new plans are formulate to defend the skies over England.
I have no idea if that part has any foundation I fact, but in Mr. Forbes’ telling it is quite plausible and plays an important part in his tale. The author notes in the epilogue that he had made a few fictional leaps in the science of higher math in Mrs. Stafford’s education for the purposes of the book, but it is was clearly presented , and easily comprehended to this reader for whom College Algebra was a daunting prospect.
I do know that the scenes of air combat as Shaux’ 339 Squadron ring true. The author has obviously done his research. His descriptions of flying a Spitfire put the reader sweating in the pilot’s seat. His characterization of how Squadron Leader Shaux ‘s patina of a cool fighter pilot and leader of men hides his moments of absolute terror and deep disgust at the killing around him is compelling. These scenes are edge- of -the -seat reading.
Without dropping a major spoiler, fate does intervene a bit, bringing the pilot and the math whiz together filling out the romance requirement for “fiction, historical, for the reading pleasure of.” ( You’ ll see where that phraseology originates when you read the book.)
And I hope and recommend that you do read Breaking Point. I highly recommend it as appealing to both men and women who enjoy a good novel of the era of the greatest generation.
Trigger warnings: none really- mild soldier profanity. Romantic love.
Note: there are some egregious anachronisms of language with one character saying, ...life sucks and then you die.” Also many references to the Alamo as an example of a desperate fight against large odds, when I thing Englishmen would be more likely to refer to Roarke’s Drift or Thermopylae. But that is a quibble for a really fine book.
The writing is fluid, the plot straightforward and the two primary characters, John Shaux ( pronounced Shaw) and Elinor Rand are captivating.
Shaux is a pilot who survived being shot down over Dunkirk and being bombed out the ancient boat that was ferrying him tho England. At the beginning of the novel, he is flying Spitfires against the Luftwaffe in the nascent Battle of Britain. Having survived death twice and near misses many times while his comrades fell from the skies, Shaux has become a fatalist: fate will eventually catch up with him.
Elinor Rand is a war widow and an Oxford- trained mathematician during duty compiling statistics as a newly minted Air Auxiliary officer in combat control centers. As RAF losses mount she sees a faint glimmer of of hope in the numbers: though RAF losses are near to the crippling point, German losses are comparatively worse. Her superior officers notice and appreciate her work, and present to the higher ups , and new plans are formulate to defend the skies over England.
I have no idea if that part has any foundation I fact, but in Mr. Forbes’ telling it is quite plausible and plays an important part in his tale. The author notes in the epilogue that he had made a few fictional leaps in the science of higher math in Mrs. Stafford’s education for the purposes of the book, but it is was clearly presented , and easily comprehended to this reader for whom College Algebra was a daunting prospect.
I do know that the scenes of air combat as Shaux’ 339 Squadron ring true. The author has obviously done his research. His descriptions of flying a Spitfire put the reader sweating in the pilot’s seat. His characterization of how Squadron Leader Shaux ‘s patina of a cool fighter pilot and leader of men hides his moments of absolute terror and deep disgust at the killing around him is compelling. These scenes are edge- of -the -seat reading.
Without dropping a major spoiler, fate does intervene a bit, bringing the pilot and the math whiz together filling out the romance requirement for “fiction, historical, for the reading pleasure of.” ( You’ ll see where that phraseology originates when you read the book.)
And I hope and recommend that you do read Breaking Point. I highly recommend it as appealing to both men and women who enjoy a good novel of the era of the greatest generation.
Trigger warnings: none really- mild soldier profanity. Romantic love.
Note: there are some egregious anachronisms of language with one character saying, ...life sucks and then you die.” Also many references to the Alamo as an example of a desperate fight against large odds, when I thing Englishmen would be more likely to refer to Roarke’s Drift or Thermopylae. But that is a quibble for a really fine book.
July 5, 2024
I picked this book up for free for Kindle, and was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The level of detail given to how Shaux and the RAF conducted their days and battles against the Luftwaffe was excellent. It was good to have a story added to delve into Shaux's personal relationship, and not just focusing on the daily fighting of the war
October 6, 2019
Breaking Point is an exciting fictionalized account of the Battle of Britain. You will love these heroic RAF pilots and mathematician women. These are true stories that make the reader feel a witness to history. A 5-Star recommended book.
October 5, 2019
All the facts, but put together in a way that lets you see and feel how smart women and brave men worked in a real time of crisis. Heartfelt and vivid. Enjoy w a cup of tea.
April 24, 2020
*Breaking Point* is wonderful historical fiction set in The Battle of Britain whereat the Luftwaffe tried to bomb England into submission.
I loved the protagonist who flies and fights more by instinct rather than for any care of country or heroism--more like with a death wish.
Real life characters take part in the story and are given dialog. Especially appreciated in the way the author avoids standard issue machismo, profanity, and violence in favor of character study and military tactics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAMPLES:
Mr. Joseph Kennedy, the American ambassador . . . had told him flatly that Britain would be defeated and that the American public was in no mood to come to the rescue, regardless of President Roosevelt's sympathy toward the British cause. "Churchill should stop all this foolish fight-to-the-death nonsense and stop deluding the public into thinking there's a chance," Mr. Kennedy had told him. "The sun is setting on the British Empire, and the sooner Churchill finds out what terms Hitler will accept, the better. You Australians should conserve your strength and worry about Japan."
The mathematician John von Neumann of Princeton had theorized that the way to win a zero-sum game—a game in which a positive for one player was a negative for the other, like the game of checkers—was to prevent the opponent from winning it, to minimize the opponent's maximum benefit, which he called "minimax."
Minimax theory assigns the greatest value to the targets most capable of denying the opponent an advantage."
"Each move should be designed to give the opponent the least favorable outcome, to deny the enemy the opportunity to win, and therefore to win oneself."
Shaux had always sought the background; he made sure he was always in the back row in group photographs, his face half-hidden behind someone else's. He was an obscure man, and he wanted an obscure life—he needed an obscure life, in order to accept an obscure death. He was Shaux the Obscure, a follower, not a leader.
The past was a waste of breath, a meaningless jumble of remembrances and recollections, signifying nothing.
Churchill had said the English would "fight on and on and on and on," but how much strain could mere mortals take?
The series of speeches he gave during his first few months in office are, arguably, the most powerful examples of oratory ever delivered, by any leader in any language on any occasion."
I loved the protagonist who flies and fights more by instinct rather than for any care of country or heroism--more like with a death wish.
Real life characters take part in the story and are given dialog. Especially appreciated in the way the author avoids standard issue machismo, profanity, and violence in favor of character study and military tactics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAMPLES:
Mr. Joseph Kennedy, the American ambassador . . . had told him flatly that Britain would be defeated and that the American public was in no mood to come to the rescue, regardless of President Roosevelt's sympathy toward the British cause. "Churchill should stop all this foolish fight-to-the-death nonsense and stop deluding the public into thinking there's a chance," Mr. Kennedy had told him. "The sun is setting on the British Empire, and the sooner Churchill finds out what terms Hitler will accept, the better. You Australians should conserve your strength and worry about Japan."
The mathematician John von Neumann of Princeton had theorized that the way to win a zero-sum game—a game in which a positive for one player was a negative for the other, like the game of checkers—was to prevent the opponent from winning it, to minimize the opponent's maximum benefit, which he called "minimax."
Minimax theory assigns the greatest value to the targets most capable of denying the opponent an advantage."
"Each move should be designed to give the opponent the least favorable outcome, to deny the enemy the opportunity to win, and therefore to win oneself."
Shaux had always sought the background; he made sure he was always in the back row in group photographs, his face half-hidden behind someone else's. He was an obscure man, and he wanted an obscure life—he needed an obscure life, in order to accept an obscure death. He was Shaux the Obscure, a follower, not a leader.
The past was a waste of breath, a meaningless jumble of remembrances and recollections, signifying nothing.
Churchill had said the English would "fight on and on and on and on," but how much strain could mere mortals take?
The series of speeches he gave during his first few months in office are, arguably, the most powerful examples of oratory ever delivered, by any leader in any language on any occasion."
September 2, 2020
Author John Rhodes (https://johnrhodesbooks.com) published the novel “Breaking Point: A Novel of The Battle of Britain” in 2019. Mr. Rhodes has published three novels.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Situations. The story is set in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. There are two primary characters. The first is RAF Spitfire pilot Johnnie Shaux. The other is Eleanor Rand, a mathematician working at RAF Fighter Command.
Rand and Shaux know one another from college. Rand married one of their college chums, but he died flying for the RAF over Dunkirk. Shaux is struggling with the stress and fear of flying defensive sorties each day. Rand is having romantic thoughts about Shaux, but he feels he will not survive.
Rand draws attention to herself within Fighter Command. She has developed a unique mathematical analysis of the German attacks. There is some action in the novel, though more is focused on the two characters dealing with their lives. While the story contains many historical events, it is a work of fiction.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 368-page war drama. Shaux’s character is depressed and almost seems to have given up on life. This makes the story a little maudlin. The ‘breaking point’ in the title refers not just to Shaux, but also to the German’s air battle for Britain. The cover art is OK but seems too dull. I give this novel a 4.4 (Rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Situations. The story is set in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. There are two primary characters. The first is RAF Spitfire pilot Johnnie Shaux. The other is Eleanor Rand, a mathematician working at RAF Fighter Command.
Rand and Shaux know one another from college. Rand married one of their college chums, but he died flying for the RAF over Dunkirk. Shaux is struggling with the stress and fear of flying defensive sorties each day. Rand is having romantic thoughts about Shaux, but he feels he will not survive.
Rand draws attention to herself within Fighter Command. She has developed a unique mathematical analysis of the German attacks. There is some action in the novel, though more is focused on the two characters dealing with their lives. While the story contains many historical events, it is a work of fiction.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 368-page war drama. Shaux’s character is depressed and almost seems to have given up on life. This makes the story a little maudlin. The ‘breaking point’ in the title refers not just to Shaux, but also to the German’s air battle for Britain. The cover art is OK but seems too dull. I give this novel a 4.4 (Rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
May 28, 2024
Britain, late summer 1940. Jerry plans to pay southern England a visit, and Johnny Shaux and the other boys in the RAF intend on giving him a warm reception. Breaking Point is an unusual and fascinating fictional take on the Battle of Britain, telling the story from two points of view: first, we have the airman’s point of view through the eyes of Johnny Shaux, a cynical soldier who feels he has nothing to live for, but rises through the ranks thanks to talent and the fact that so many young pilots are dying; and second, through quasi-civilian eyes in the form of Eleanor Rand, a mathematician who is attempting to apply the insights of John van Neumann to create a strategic model for the RAF that will allow them to stage assets for maximum effectiveness, not only day by day but hour by hour. With Johnny, we’re getting ground-and-Spitfire level takes. We’re living in the mud with him at an emergency field, ascending into the skies and surrounded by fear and the unknown as much as the glass canopy: we see friends die and wonder if it’s worth it, if all this death is just delaying the inevitable. Eleanor, meanwhile, is consorting with increasingly higher ranks of the British command, at one point even meeting the prime minister and discovering that yes, he really does talk that way. Johnny and Eleanor were both math(s) students in their early years, and their unexpected reunion leads to feelings slowly simmering — in fact, neither of them will admit their obvious feelings for one another until Battle of Britain day, an epic engagement in which Britain loses many young men — including Shaux, seemingly. Having recently read a BoB novel, this seemed old hat at first, but Eleanor’s role gave the book a fresh twist, allowing readers to experience some of her mathematical reasoning and struggles to work with officers to convert it into strategic planning. The book delivers a good view of the misery and fear of those fighting, but also of their resilience and adaptability: at one point the boys pay a visit to a racing ground that is closed for the war, and — upon realizing that its buildings would be quite useful on their base, lead to them disassembling it and creating for themselves a home a little more substantial than tents. The writing was solid on the whole, my only kvetch being at the very beginning when one officer explained to another officer just why the air battle is important. Obviously, this is an explanation meant for the extremely casual reader, and it seems a little forced, but that’s a very petty complaint, and I plan on reading more of this series.
April 30, 2022
Mathematics Is Unexpectedly Entertaining
During the first few pages of this book, I was sure I'd made a terrible mistake in starting it. After the first third, I realized I was hopelessly out of my depth as the female protagonist used a branch of game theory known as "minimax" to calculate the likelihood, or unlikelihood, of Britain prevailing over Germany in the Battle of Britain. Half way through the book, I was pretty danged impressed that I at least grasped the basic concept of the theory, and from that point on I was swept up in the recounting, from the perspectives of the young female mathematician and her college friend, an RAF pilot, of perhaps the most dramatic battle told of WWll. I ended up loving the book, and I am blown away that the entire story is fictitious. This author adopted an application of advanced mathematics and used it as a vehicle to explain why and how the commanders of the English Royal Air Force made the strategic decisions they did, all the while developing a relationship between two people in the midst of the greatest trial of their lives. It's brilliant.
During the first few pages of this book, I was sure I'd made a terrible mistake in starting it. After the first third, I realized I was hopelessly out of my depth as the female protagonist used a branch of game theory known as "minimax" to calculate the likelihood, or unlikelihood, of Britain prevailing over Germany in the Battle of Britain. Half way through the book, I was pretty danged impressed that I at least grasped the basic concept of the theory, and from that point on I was swept up in the recounting, from the perspectives of the young female mathematician and her college friend, an RAF pilot, of perhaps the most dramatic battle told of WWll. I ended up loving the book, and I am blown away that the entire story is fictitious. This author adopted an application of advanced mathematics and used it as a vehicle to explain why and how the commanders of the English Royal Air Force made the strategic decisions they did, all the while developing a relationship between two people in the midst of the greatest trial of their lives. It's brilliant.
June 27, 2023
I will admit that this series takes uninterrupted reading time. The details that the author gives regarding air battles put me in the cockpit with the pilots. I am ashamed to admit that I never thought about what the pilots went through. How in the world did they go up in the air time after time wondering if they would return at the end of the day. The support they gave each other is inspiring. I knew that much happened behind the scenes. Thanks to this series I have become addicted with the mathematical possibilities that were involved. The reactions of the men in control, the decision making men, reminded me that we can't put today's values on the past.
July 11, 2022
Slow start, some technical inaccuracies, but worth reading
Time and distance from 1940, and the generation that recall it vividly, mean most stories have been told, most new “brilliant” works come more from the authors mind, involving repetition of other books and guess work. Mr Rhodes puts a totally new spin on the battle, of course there are well written and well researched dogfights, and characters are formed and lost, but the main characters are different and refreshing. Looking forward to book 2.
Time and distance from 1940, and the generation that recall it vividly, mean most stories have been told, most new “brilliant” works come more from the authors mind, involving repetition of other books and guess work. Mr Rhodes puts a totally new spin on the battle, of course there are well written and well researched dogfights, and characters are formed and lost, but the main characters are different and refreshing. Looking forward to book 2.
October 26, 2025
An excellent read!!!!
A stirring war story with action, romance and mathematics!!!
WAIT?! What?! Mathematics?
And no equations indecently exposed!
The heroine is an advanced mathematician who can’t decide on a man. The fighter pilot is also an advanced mathematician with a serious death wish (seriously).
Enough levels in the story arc to keep pages turning for men and women. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.
No, I am not a mathematician. Had no clue on the theories mentioned. None. Yet, I enjoyed the story greatly
A stirring war story with action, romance and mathematics!!!
WAIT?! What?! Mathematics?
And no equations indecently exposed!
The heroine is an advanced mathematician who can’t decide on a man. The fighter pilot is also an advanced mathematician with a serious death wish (seriously).
Enough levels in the story arc to keep pages turning for men and women. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.
No, I am not a mathematician. Had no clue on the theories mentioned. None. Yet, I enjoyed the story greatly
September 12, 2021
When it was good it was great. The author has clearly researched the period exhaustively and many of the sections dealing with aerial combat seemed completely authentic. Rawley the Rotter was good fun and Dastardly Debenham was another villain which added to the story. The negative in my book came from the interludes in the sack which I thought were 'Bad Sex Awards' material. I hope the author gets a really good female editor or critic who can encourage him to drop the cringey bits.
September 6, 2022
I was very impressed by the quality of the story in this book. It seemed almost factual and not a novel at all but the story gripped me so much I found it very difficult to put the book down and do other things! I'm very pleased that the author, John Rhodes, has written two sequels to continue this story. All the characters both real and imaginary were very well described and I must read some of the authors other books some time in the future. I strongly recommend this book and it's sequels.
June 16, 2020
Battle of Britain
A well written story of love and war and havebeing in England for 5 years at RAF Lakenheath in USAF and celebrated each year. This was moment In time I grew up during the war years .I visited a lot of the Air fields to see where the RAF fought for their country. , ,uh
A well written story of love and war and havebeing in England for 5 years at RAF Lakenheath in USAF and celebrated each year. This was moment In time I grew up during the war years .I visited a lot of the Air fields to see where the RAF fought for their country. , ,uh
June 16, 2022
EXCELLENT!!!!!
I have read at least fifty historical novels on War 2... This is by far and away the best!!! You do not read this book, you fall into it, and ride the storyline from the inside looking out. The character development is some of the best I have seen. Kudos to Mr. Rhodes, A fellow North Carolinian!!!
...Randol Craver.....
I have read at least fifty historical novels on War 2... This is by far and away the best!!! You do not read this book, you fall into it, and ride the storyline from the inside looking out. The character development is some of the best I have seen. Kudos to Mr. Rhodes, A fellow North Carolinian!!!
...Randol Craver.....
September 13, 2022
Spitfire glory story
Could not put this book down! The flying scenes were fantastic and the love story was captivating. John Rhodes does a fine job of keeping the readers attention while dragging them through battle, slogging them through mud and then dousing them with cigarette smoke. Well done!
Could not put this book down! The flying scenes were fantastic and the love story was captivating. John Rhodes does a fine job of keeping the readers attention while dragging them through battle, slogging them through mud and then dousing them with cigarette smoke. Well done!
May 13, 2023
Well worth reading
It is inspiring and exciting to read a novel about victory against overwhelming odds and to have it come to life with these characters. There's even a love story which thankfully is not sappy at all, and that story and the book itself comes to a fantastic crescendo at the end. Also a fascinating way to learn more of this crucial time in our history.
It is inspiring and exciting to read a novel about victory against overwhelming odds and to have it come to life with these characters. There's even a love story which thankfully is not sappy at all, and that story and the book itself comes to a fantastic crescendo at the end. Also a fascinating way to learn more of this crucial time in our history.
December 24, 2023
Great History But too much Math
Did an outstanding job with historical content. But I felt too much on detailed math content that a great number of readers could not follow. A general down to earth description, which he gave, after way too many repeated technical math orations, again boring or serving non math readers any purpose spoiled the book for me.
Did an outstanding job with historical content. But I felt too much on detailed math content that a great number of readers could not follow. A general down to earth description, which he gave, after way too many repeated technical math orations, again boring or serving non math readers any purpose spoiled the book for me.
August 18, 2025
A New Perspective
Quite an interesting read. For someone well acquainted with aviation history but abysmal in math, the concepts presented provided an alternative view. I was struck by the assertion that the admirable British did not win the battle but rather prevailed by preventing the Germans from winning, effectively causing them to lose.
Quite an interesting read. For someone well acquainted with aviation history but abysmal in math, the concepts presented provided an alternative view. I was struck by the assertion that the admirable British did not win the battle but rather prevailed by preventing the Germans from winning, effectively causing them to lose.
September 10, 2025
Very good story and authentic-but
This is an excellent ,well researched book, with lovely characterisation, and a great story. My only gripe is with the publishers: an English writer, written about England, with English characters, so why on earth use American spelling? Armour is split with an o; ditto manoeuvre! Get it right! Otherwise very good.
This is an excellent ,well researched book, with lovely characterisation, and a great story. My only gripe is with the publishers: an English writer, written about England, with English characters, so why on earth use American spelling? Armour is split with an o; ditto manoeuvre! Get it right! Otherwise very good.
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