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Dunkirk: The Epic Story of History's Most Extraordinary Evacuation
How the miracle on the beaches saved a nation. A gripping account of one of the most famous episodes of the Second World War
In May 1940 British and Allied troops on mainland Europe were in a perilous situation: cut off and surrounded, at the conclusion of the bloody Battle of France they faced complete annihilation. It would be a devastating blow, handing Europe to the Nazis.
But over a few frantic days, the greatest evacuation in history managed to salvage hope, saving the total destruction of the army and hundreds of thousands of soldiers lives. It was a pivotal and defining moment in the war, one Churchill described as a 'miracle' in his 'we shall fight them on the beaches' speech.
Bestselling author John Harris describes in vivid detail how the evacuation developed on a day-by-day basis, and destroys more than one myth associated with Dunkirk. Packed with authentic atmosphere and first-hand recollections, the retreat and the desperate lifting of the weary British expeditionary force is seen in its tragic but spirited entirety, an epic of courage and confusion without parallel.
In May 1940 British and Allied troops on mainland Europe were in a perilous situation: cut off and surrounded, at the conclusion of the bloody Battle of France they faced complete annihilation. It would be a devastating blow, handing Europe to the Nazis.
But over a few frantic days, the greatest evacuation in history managed to salvage hope, saving the total destruction of the army and hundreds of thousands of soldiers lives. It was a pivotal and defining moment in the war, one Churchill described as a 'miracle' in his 'we shall fight them on the beaches' speech.
Bestselling author John Harris describes in vivid detail how the evacuation developed on a day-by-day basis, and destroys more than one myth associated with Dunkirk. Packed with authentic atmosphere and first-hand recollections, the retreat and the desperate lifting of the weary British expeditionary force is seen in its tragic but spirited entirety, an epic of courage and confusion without parallel.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2021
7 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
John Harris
66 books21 followersJohn^^Harris
Pseudonyms: Max Hennessy; Mark Hebden
Image is a self caricature from the late 1970s.
From Wikipedia:
John Harris was a British author. He published a series of crime novels featuring the character Inspector Pel, and war books. He wrote with his own name, and also with the pseudonym of Mark Hebden. His 1953 novel The Sea Shall Not Have Them was the basis for a feature film of the same name in 1954. He was the father of Juliet Harris, who published more Inspector Pel books under the name of Juliet Hebden.
Pseudonyms: Max Hennessy; Mark Hebden
Image is a self caricature from the late 1970s.
From Wikipedia:
John Harris was a British author. He published a series of crime novels featuring the character Inspector Pel, and war books. He wrote with his own name, and also with the pseudonym of Mark Hebden. His 1953 novel The Sea Shall Not Have Them was the basis for a feature film of the same name in 1954. He was the father of Juliet Harris, who published more Inspector Pel books under the name of Juliet Hebden.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 12, 2023
A rather dry, cold and dispassionate account of the Miracle of Dunkirk.
August 8, 2024
A detailed account with a good of the actions that took place well depicted. A valuable read. If you do read this, bring a map along.
November 9, 2025
This is a day by day review of the happenings during the famous evacuation of Dunkirk, as told from the perspective of many of the soldiers and sailors who lived it. John Harris' style captures the confusion, the whirlwind, and the chaos that was most assuredly felt by all of those who played a part.
This book is a short read, a mix of very high level information about the evacuation and personal anecdotes told by those present. It is well-researched and gives details that won't be found in many other places. I honestly had a bit of a hard time with this book. It is an easy read, but one finds characters (and ships) popping up, then never being mentioned again, while others are revisited and much more information is given. The book itself feels very hectic, as I'm sure the actual experience was. Not really my kind of read, I like a more meticulous and methodical book.
Make sure that you read it with a map! It will definitely enhance the experience.
This book is a short read, a mix of very high level information about the evacuation and personal anecdotes told by those present. It is well-researched and gives details that won't be found in many other places. I honestly had a bit of a hard time with this book. It is an easy read, but one finds characters (and ships) popping up, then never being mentioned again, while others are revisited and much more information is given. The book itself feels very hectic, as I'm sure the actual experience was. Not really my kind of read, I like a more meticulous and methodical book.
Make sure that you read it with a map! It will definitely enhance the experience.
October 14, 2022
An excellent description of a great victory
Harris pulls together many strands of the Dunkirk story to illustrate the plight of the fighting soldier stranded on the beaches and in the countryside around Dunkirk. Descriptions that conjure up images in your mind do eye of the privation and courage of the men fighting the rearguard and those waiting with such hope of survival, on the beaches. He describes the considerable efforts made by the navy and the amateurs involved in the evacuation. All in all a wonderful read
Harris pulls together many strands of the Dunkirk story to illustrate the plight of the fighting soldier stranded on the beaches and in the countryside around Dunkirk. Descriptions that conjure up images in your mind do eye of the privation and courage of the men fighting the rearguard and those waiting with such hope of survival, on the beaches. He describes the considerable efforts made by the navy and the amateurs involved in the evacuation. All in all a wonderful read
March 24, 2023
The Rescue at Dunkirk
I would recommend for those studying the worlds history to read this book.
John Harris explained in detail what actions took place removing service men from this island. Although, it was a little to gory for me.
I would recommend for those studying the worlds history to read this book.
John Harris explained in detail what actions took place removing service men from this island. Although, it was a little to gory for me.
October 26, 2022
Very dry but informative retelling of the events surrounding the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France.
September 12, 2022
This book is good, disorganized, but good, the disorganization may be because the event itself was, but while reading it was hard to keep track of all the different stories and views. I would recommend reading this.
April 30, 2022
boring as hell, legit nothing informative or descriptive
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews