What do you think?
Rate this book
RAF #1
Piece of Cake
Chronicles the training and seasoning of a squadron of young R.A.F. pilots, including a brilliant, dominating American, in the twelve months leading up to the Battle of Britain
656 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
119 people are currently reading
988 people want to read
About the author
Derek Robinson
71 books80 followersDerek Robinson is a British author best known for his military aviation novels full of black humour. He has also written several books on some of the more sordid events in the history of Bristol, his home town, as well as guides to rugby. He was nominated for the Booker Prize in 1971 for his first novel, 'Goshawk Squadron.'
After attending Cotham Grammar School, Robinson served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter plotter, during his National Service. He has a History degree from Cambridge University, where he attended Downing College, has worked in advertising in the UK and the US and as a broadcaster on radio and television. He was a qualified rugby referee for over thirty years and is a life member of Bristol Society of Rugby Referees. He was married in 1964
After attending Cotham Grammar School, Robinson served in the Royal Air Force as a fighter plotter, during his National Service. He has a History degree from Cambridge University, where he attended Downing College, has worked in advertising in the UK and the US and as a broadcaster on radio and television. He was a qualified rugby referee for over thirty years and is a life member of Bristol Society of Rugby Referees. He was married in 1964
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
May 26, 2017
A real classic of wartime literature: a squadron of RAF fighter pilots making their way first through the idyllic boredom of the "Phony War," and then being plunged headlong into the hellish dangers of the Battle of Britain. Tragedy and humor and spine-tingling action run side by side in this tale; Robinson pulls helpless laughter out of you with the high-jinks of his adrenaline-junkie young heroes, then turns the pace on a dime and has you mopping your eyes as the cruel odds of aerial battles against enemy Messerschmitts sends the irrepressible fliers you've come to love spiraling one by one to their deaths. An unforgettable heart-breaker of a tribute to World War II's RAF pilots.
January 25, 2014
This is probably my most re-read book from one of favourite authors.
Having spent 25 years in the RAF I find the humorous banter very realistic, and the characters a fair representation of the cross-section of individuals you would find on a typical RAF Squadron.
But the absolute best thing about Derek's RFC and RAF books, is the historical accuracy which shows that a lot of research goes into each one of his works.
Highly recommended.
Having spent 25 years in the RAF I find the humorous banter very realistic, and the characters a fair representation of the cross-section of individuals you would find on a typical RAF Squadron.
But the absolute best thing about Derek's RFC and RAF books, is the historical accuracy which shows that a lot of research goes into each one of his works.
Highly recommended.
September 1, 2022
Following a squadron of RAF Hurricane pilots from Sept. 39 through Sept. 40 into the Battle of Britain. Derek Robinson scores big with sweeping action, black humor, realistic characters, and excellent history as to how Britain managed to survive the Luftwaffe's assault. I seem to read this book every few years, there's something about how well developed the characters are that keeps me wanting to revisit them. If you like historical fiction, warts and all, Derek Robinson is a must read.
March 29, 2014
Ask Americans what the best fighter planes of World War Two were, and they will probably name the Japanese Zero, the German 109, and the British Spitfire. The Hurricane is just some other Brit plane.
PIECE OF CAKE is one of my favorite WWII novels. It is about a year in the life of a British Hurricane fighter squadron, from September 1939 to September 1940. There is also a BBC Masterpiece Theater multi-disc DVD set, which is very faithful to the book. But I have to ding the video for changing the story so that the British pilots flew Spitfires instead of the Hurricanes in Derek Robinson's book. Historically, no Spitfires were ever sent to France, where about a third of the story takes place. Strangely, the video picture was superior on a set of VHS tapes I once rented, compared with the blurry DVD set I own, which is missing several scenes which were in the VHS tapes. (I've seen that issue before. My DVD of the movie EXECUTIVE SUITE is missing a key scene about 10-minutes long, which was on a VHS tape I rented.)
Forgive me for being a technical spoilsport but there is a scene in both the book and the video where Flash, a pilot who is more than a little crazy, flies his plane inverted to "relax." A Hurricane could do this; a Spit couldn't. A Spitfire could not pull negative Gs or fly inverted because the engine would stop and then flood with gas, making it difficult to re-start. (This problem was not solved until about 1943, although there was a temporary fix for many Spitfires installed in 1941.) The upside-down flying scene took place in the book and the video in August of 1940. I have to ding the video for this; Robinson's book is technically accurate.
In my opinion, the Hurricane's inferior reputation is undeserved. During the first half of World War Two, the English had twice as many operational Hurricanes flying as they had operational Spitfires flying. Hurricane aircraft shot down twice as many German planes as Spitfire aircraft shot Germans down, during those first years; meaning the two planes performed about the same in the air measured by KILLS per plane. Legless British ace Douglas Bader scored 11 of his 20 official kills from a Hurricane cockpit, the other 9 in Spitfires.
At the start of WWII, the Hurricane had a wooden fixed-pitch propeller, and its performance was second-rate compared with the Spit; but by late-1939, early-1940 Hurricanes were fitted with metal variable-pitch props that made a BIG difference, and mostly closed the performance gap with the Spitfires. The Hurricane still wasn't as fast as a Spitfire, but it was more durable, easier to land, and had a tighter turning radius. The Hurricane still wasn't as nimble as a Spit, but it was a more stable gun platform so shots fired were more accurate in the air and more likely to hit the target. More important for England, a damaged Hurricane was easier to repair than a Spitfire. Heavily-damaged Hurricanes were often repaired and brought back into operational status; heavily-damaged Spitfires were usually written off because few mechanics could deal with the Spit's stressed-skin metal design.
The witty dialogue and verbal exchanges between the pilots are beyond my personal skills as a writer. Spectacular. The characterizations and mix of characters, are again beyond me; I can only admire. Particularly impressive is how Robinson can explain aerial fighting tactics, not just through excellent descriptions during the action, but through the pilots arguing after the action.
The novel really sings for me when CH3 is on the page. Christopher Hart, the 3rd, is an American pilot, a millionaire's son who flies for England partly to piss off his old man.
Playful light-hearted boys start the war goofing off and having a blast in their flying machines. A year later, most of the original team are dead, and the few survivors are half-crazy, or half dead with exhaustion.
Clearly illustrated in PIECE OF CAKE is how it isn't the airplane, it's the pilot. It's all about spotting the enemy before he spots you. It's about what the pilot does after he spots the enemy, how he maneuvers in for the kill; or lets it go because it's too risky. It's about how the pilot flies before he spots enemy planes (for example, an experienced pilot directed to climb to a high altitude on a vector away from the sun might disregard, and climb into the sun, then swing around, so he wasn't so vulnerable during the climb). "Sorry, leader. Your message garbled. Couldn't hear what you said."
@hg47
PIECE OF CAKE is one of my favorite WWII novels. It is about a year in the life of a British Hurricane fighter squadron, from September 1939 to September 1940. There is also a BBC Masterpiece Theater multi-disc DVD set, which is very faithful to the book. But I have to ding the video for changing the story so that the British pilots flew Spitfires instead of the Hurricanes in Derek Robinson's book. Historically, no Spitfires were ever sent to France, where about a third of the story takes place. Strangely, the video picture was superior on a set of VHS tapes I once rented, compared with the blurry DVD set I own, which is missing several scenes which were in the VHS tapes. (I've seen that issue before. My DVD of the movie EXECUTIVE SUITE is missing a key scene about 10-minutes long, which was on a VHS tape I rented.)
Forgive me for being a technical spoilsport but there is a scene in both the book and the video where Flash, a pilot who is more than a little crazy, flies his plane inverted to "relax." A Hurricane could do this; a Spit couldn't. A Spitfire could not pull negative Gs or fly inverted because the engine would stop and then flood with gas, making it difficult to re-start. (This problem was not solved until about 1943, although there was a temporary fix for many Spitfires installed in 1941.) The upside-down flying scene took place in the book and the video in August of 1940. I have to ding the video for this; Robinson's book is technically accurate.
In my opinion, the Hurricane's inferior reputation is undeserved. During the first half of World War Two, the English had twice as many operational Hurricanes flying as they had operational Spitfires flying. Hurricane aircraft shot down twice as many German planes as Spitfire aircraft shot Germans down, during those first years; meaning the two planes performed about the same in the air measured by KILLS per plane. Legless British ace Douglas Bader scored 11 of his 20 official kills from a Hurricane cockpit, the other 9 in Spitfires.
At the start of WWII, the Hurricane had a wooden fixed-pitch propeller, and its performance was second-rate compared with the Spit; but by late-1939, early-1940 Hurricanes were fitted with metal variable-pitch props that made a BIG difference, and mostly closed the performance gap with the Spitfires. The Hurricane still wasn't as fast as a Spitfire, but it was more durable, easier to land, and had a tighter turning radius. The Hurricane still wasn't as nimble as a Spit, but it was a more stable gun platform so shots fired were more accurate in the air and more likely to hit the target. More important for England, a damaged Hurricane was easier to repair than a Spitfire. Heavily-damaged Hurricanes were often repaired and brought back into operational status; heavily-damaged Spitfires were usually written off because few mechanics could deal with the Spit's stressed-skin metal design.
The witty dialogue and verbal exchanges between the pilots are beyond my personal skills as a writer. Spectacular. The characterizations and mix of characters, are again beyond me; I can only admire. Particularly impressive is how Robinson can explain aerial fighting tactics, not just through excellent descriptions during the action, but through the pilots arguing after the action.
The novel really sings for me when CH3 is on the page. Christopher Hart, the 3rd, is an American pilot, a millionaire's son who flies for England partly to piss off his old man.
Playful light-hearted boys start the war goofing off and having a blast in their flying machines. A year later, most of the original team are dead, and the few survivors are half-crazy, or half dead with exhaustion.
Clearly illustrated in PIECE OF CAKE is how it isn't the airplane, it's the pilot. It's all about spotting the enemy before he spots you. It's about what the pilot does after he spots the enemy, how he maneuvers in for the kill; or lets it go because it's too risky. It's about how the pilot flies before he spots enemy planes (for example, an experienced pilot directed to climb to a high altitude on a vector away from the sun might disregard, and climb into the sun, then swing around, so he wasn't so vulnerable during the climb). "Sorry, leader. Your message garbled. Couldn't hear what you said."
@hg47
December 31, 2009
I remember a few moons ago (about 20 years ago really) seeing something about the mini-series Piece of Cake and not being able to watch it (sorry, to poor to afford it then) and being a little interested in aviation warfare I decided I'd have to read it at some point. After spending sometime looking about and finally deciding to deal in the second hand market I picked up a copy of Piece of Cake.
Piece of Cake describes a British squadron (Hornet Squadron, flying Hurricanes for those that are interested) in the early days of WWII (September 1939 thru September 1940). Mr. Robinson uses the cloak of early WWII (historical setting and British tactics) to tell the story and interactions of the men of Hornet Squadron. All of the characters are larger than life, at times making them a little hard to believe, but having known many fighter pilots in my day I can say that the only possibly making it difficult to believe is having all of these "characters" in one unit. Each character is nicely done, with personal details that are amazing, whether its Moggy and his egocentric/homicidal ways, CH3 and his this is the way it was done in Spain, "Lord" Rex is proper British, to "Fanny" Barton and his caring ways. The exploits are fascinating, there's some interesting romance situations, especially given the Phony War and the lead up to the Battle for France. The historical perspective is nicely done with Mr. Robinson showing good awareness of RAF tactics and battle situations. If there's a weakness in the book it's that Mr. Robinson's dark humor sometimes overshadows thing to much and he overemphasis the inflated claims of the RAF during the Battle of Britain and their losses.
Rating wise this ones a very solid 4 star book. The first half is a little slow and drawn out as Mr. Robinson explains Hornet Squadron's makeup and things begin to gel. As you pass from the Phony War to the Battle for France there's a nice step up in the story that pushes the book toward 4.5 stars. This is eventually reached during the Battle of Britain with a momentary 5 star piece with the interactions between Moggy and Steel-Stebbing (you need to read it, great for a laugh). Given everything, a solid 4 star performance.
Piece of Cake describes a British squadron (Hornet Squadron, flying Hurricanes for those that are interested) in the early days of WWII (September 1939 thru September 1940). Mr. Robinson uses the cloak of early WWII (historical setting and British tactics) to tell the story and interactions of the men of Hornet Squadron. All of the characters are larger than life, at times making them a little hard to believe, but having known many fighter pilots in my day I can say that the only possibly making it difficult to believe is having all of these "characters" in one unit. Each character is nicely done, with personal details that are amazing, whether its Moggy and his egocentric/homicidal ways, CH3 and his this is the way it was done in Spain, "Lord" Rex is proper British, to "Fanny" Barton and his caring ways. The exploits are fascinating, there's some interesting romance situations, especially given the Phony War and the lead up to the Battle for France. The historical perspective is nicely done with Mr. Robinson showing good awareness of RAF tactics and battle situations. If there's a weakness in the book it's that Mr. Robinson's dark humor sometimes overshadows thing to much and he overemphasis the inflated claims of the RAF during the Battle of Britain and their losses.
Rating wise this ones a very solid 4 star book. The first half is a little slow and drawn out as Mr. Robinson explains Hornet Squadron's makeup and things begin to gel. As you pass from the Phony War to the Battle for France there's a nice step up in the story that pushes the book toward 4.5 stars. This is eventually reached during the Battle of Britain with a momentary 5 star piece with the interactions between Moggy and Steel-Stebbing (you need to read it, great for a laugh). Given everything, a solid 4 star performance.
February 9, 2015
One of my favourite books ever, and certainly one of my favourite novels about war. It directly influenced and inspired some of my own writing. Robinson's books can get a formulaic, but this book transcends all of that. It follows an RAF fighter squadron from September 1939 to September 1940, so while it all technically takes place during wartime a large proportion of that is the 'Phoney War' or 'Bore War' that took place until the German invasion of France in May 1940. Robinson's focus throughout the novel is on the human beings involved - how they think, how they act, how they are affected by the war and by each other. That is, if they survive at all. Robinson is very unsentimental about the characters, but never careless or callous about them. This attitude led to numerous protests and complaints from reactionary nationalist types when the book was published in the 1970s, who claimed that Robinson was disrespecting the memory of Our Brave Boys by portraying them as flawed human beings, as well as for the book's general thesis that the RAF was badly led and that the Battle of Britain didn't save Britain because there was no chance whatsoever of a successful (or even feasible) German invasion. Robinson takes great pleasure in breaking down the myths about the Battle of Britain and the conduct of the air war in general. He even gets in some blows at ideas of chivalrous WW1 air combat (although not to the same degree as in his books specifically about WW1).
It is an overwhelmingly male book, although there are some good women characters in there who have no less agency than the men. The cast is pleasingly diverse otherwise, with an obvious predominance of British (mostly English) characters but with Poles, Czechs, and others coming into play as well. It deals with class issues, the contempt the pilot officers have for the sergeant-pilots and the enlisted ground crews, the privileged lifestyle afforded to the squadron due to their upper-crust squadron leader, and so on. Robinson paints a completely convincing picture of a fighter squadron and the stresses and strains of the war, as well as writing some really funny dialogues and situations as well. It runs the gamut of emotions and I truly think it's a crime that the book isn't as well known as the classic Novels About War like Catch-22. It's easily as good I think.
Oh, the cover art is almost always Bad though. The only good one is the one with a crashed Hurricane on it and that's not in print any more. At least the edition currently in print is better than some of the others, it's not offensively bad just kind of inappropriate with its Big Action Scene cover art given that the book is very much not about that, even though it has its share of combat scenes.
It is an overwhelmingly male book, although there are some good women characters in there who have no less agency than the men. The cast is pleasingly diverse otherwise, with an obvious predominance of British (mostly English) characters but with Poles, Czechs, and others coming into play as well. It deals with class issues, the contempt the pilot officers have for the sergeant-pilots and the enlisted ground crews, the privileged lifestyle afforded to the squadron due to their upper-crust squadron leader, and so on. Robinson paints a completely convincing picture of a fighter squadron and the stresses and strains of the war, as well as writing some really funny dialogues and situations as well. It runs the gamut of emotions and I truly think it's a crime that the book isn't as well known as the classic Novels About War like Catch-22. It's easily as good I think.
Oh, the cover art is almost always Bad though. The only good one is the one with a crashed Hurricane on it and that's not in print any more. At least the edition currently in print is better than some of the others, it's not offensively bad just kind of inappropriate with its Big Action Scene cover art given that the book is very much not about that, even though it has its share of combat scenes.
May 15, 2021
The meme “piece of cake” became popular among Royal Air Force fighter pilots during WWII as means of mocking the hazards of their profession. Face massive waves of German bombers? Piece of cake. Engage in multiple dogfights with superior German fighters each day? Piece of cake. Derek Robinson’s air battle classic Piece of Cake shows there was nothing easy about being a RAF fighter pilot in the first months of the war.
The novel covers the early months of the war from the period of the Phony War to September 1940 when the German Luftwaffe changed its tactics in the Battle of Britain, a disastrous decision for the Nazis that allowed the battered RAF to regroup and go on the offensive. British fighter pilots, burdened with obsolete aerial tactics and inadequate aircraft, struggle to survive as they face overwhelming numbers of German fighters and bombers with better designs, armaments, and tactics.
There are no real main characters in this book. Pilots fly and fight and die, replaced by other pilots who fly and fight and die. The stalwart, undaunted heroes portrayed in Winston Churchill’s speeches are not found here. These heroes are tired, scared, and discouraged. Yet each they day they continue to fly until finding their fate in a fiery crash on land, or a frigid drowning in the English Channel.
It is said courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to keep going on despite the fear. Robinson’s Piece of Cake is a tribute to those RAF pilots who kept up the fight in the darkest days of WWII.
The novel covers the early months of the war from the period of the Phony War to September 1940 when the German Luftwaffe changed its tactics in the Battle of Britain, a disastrous decision for the Nazis that allowed the battered RAF to regroup and go on the offensive. British fighter pilots, burdened with obsolete aerial tactics and inadequate aircraft, struggle to survive as they face overwhelming numbers of German fighters and bombers with better designs, armaments, and tactics.
There are no real main characters in this book. Pilots fly and fight and die, replaced by other pilots who fly and fight and die. The stalwart, undaunted heroes portrayed in Winston Churchill’s speeches are not found here. These heroes are tired, scared, and discouraged. Yet each they day they continue to fly until finding their fate in a fiery crash on land, or a frigid drowning in the English Channel.
It is said courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to keep going on despite the fear. Robinson’s Piece of Cake is a tribute to those RAF pilots who kept up the fight in the darkest days of WWII.
August 23, 2013
With some 700 pages I thought I would have a solid read about a group of RAF pilots at the beginning of World War 2. The passages which described flying were very good - realistic and believable. However anything that was not about flying was a real disappointment to me. Each person was an island. There was no friendship, collegiality, support. The described behaviours were not realistic. A group of pilots in a tense situation share with, and support each other (in the main) but not this lot. Even the few relations with girlfriends were difficult to believe. Nobody was compassionate or caring. A disappointing read to say the least.
January 25, 2019
Very well written. A bit hard to follow at the start because there were so many characters but more enjoyable once I got into it. It was interesting to read about what it would've been like to be a fighter pilot in the early stages of WWII. I found the flying formations, inflated killing numbers and general cut throat nature of the war to bring a harsh reality to what it would've been like.
Although obviously a lot of fiction involved in terms of the characters, I feel like the author did his research well enough that it captured the atmosphere of being in the RAF at that time.
Although obviously a lot of fiction involved in terms of the characters, I feel like the author did his research well enough that it captured the atmosphere of being in the RAF at that time.
October 19, 2018
This is one that I really want to re-read, because while I did like it, I liked it a lot, it took me so long to figure out who everyone was. There are so many people and they keep dying and being replaced. I would recommend making a list of them and crossing them out when they buy it because everyone dies except the one you hate the most who was, coincidentally, the one that I recognized first because he has such a disgusting personality.
September 23, 2019
The book follows the exploits of a fictional Hurricane squadron from September 1939 to September 1940. There wasn't a lot of combat until they left France but then there was a lot more in the last couple of hundred page. I found the banter and camaraderie between the pilots to be what I thought would be quite authentic. As one would expect in war there is a high turnover of characters. This is the second book I have read by Robinson and I will certainly look for more.
May 23, 2013
This is even more brutal if anything than his WW1 classic " Goshawk Squadron " . Much longer but with the same black humour and laconic tone " Piece of Cake " is set in WW2 firstly with Hornet Squadron in France and then during the Battle of Britain .
I am sure that the writer has picked up some flak for raising the subject of the exaggerated claims made by RAF about their success rate of kills during the defence of the skies of Great Britain but that doea not take away from his obvious admiration of the combatants .
Although Churchill probably rightly praised the flyers with the immortal phrase " Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few " the writer counterbalances the perhaps overly Boys Own nostalgia with a hard bitten account of cock ups , terror , cowardice , bloody stupid deaths and sometimes pure nastiness . Cattermole one of the airmen who lasts longest and is an unpleasant piece of work is killed almost on the last page of the book . This is a long book of just over 700 pages and the reader has lived with him and his crew and got to know him well . His death is not dwelt on but simply and factually desribed . This is war and life and death are just what happens .
The story is laced with brilliantly humorous dialogue which is mostly the banter of a closely knit Squadron . Laugh a minute with little time for regrets and the past .
Highly recommended even if " Biggles is more your cup of tea or piece of cake .
I am sure that the writer has picked up some flak for raising the subject of the exaggerated claims made by RAF about their success rate of kills during the defence of the skies of Great Britain but that doea not take away from his obvious admiration of the combatants .
Although Churchill probably rightly praised the flyers with the immortal phrase " Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few " the writer counterbalances the perhaps overly Boys Own nostalgia with a hard bitten account of cock ups , terror , cowardice , bloody stupid deaths and sometimes pure nastiness . Cattermole one of the airmen who lasts longest and is an unpleasant piece of work is killed almost on the last page of the book . This is a long book of just over 700 pages and the reader has lived with him and his crew and got to know him well . His death is not dwelt on but simply and factually desribed . This is war and life and death are just what happens .
The story is laced with brilliantly humorous dialogue which is mostly the banter of a closely knit Squadron . Laugh a minute with little time for regrets and the past .
Highly recommended even if " Biggles is more your cup of tea or piece of cake .
June 12, 2011
Piece of Cake, difficult enough to get through, that once the story actually started, I was about 3/5 of the way through and finished because I had already put in nearly 300 pages of work! The book is a unique and small microcosm of the beginnings of World War II, following small squadron of Hornets as they begin their war time activities in France, when British ideals of the war were that it would be over before the weekend. It is interesting that they were posted in a position in France far from where the actual action was- the Germans were going through Belgium and the Low Countries- but close to the Maginot Line to believe the action would be there. Piece of Cake shows the idiocy of British military commanders, which is reflexive of all government military commanders other than Nazi Germany, in that while Germany was forcing the limitations of military tactics, battle operations, new techniques and machinery, Britain and France stayed content, believing that they were protected by relics like the Maginot Line and close quarter-formation flying. It amazes me that even in 1939 the RAF still had cloth on their airplanes!!!!!! If you have the guys and fortitude to stick with it, you will learn some things that are interesting, but I warn, it does take some stubbornness to pick it up day after day. Good luck!
December 6, 2017
This is one of the classics of aviation literature, and I don't know why I didn't get round to it earlier (I read, and enjoyed, War Story and Goshawk Squadron years ago).
Following Hornet Squadron through the Phoney War to the Battle of Britain, this is a very funny, very black story in which anyone can die, suddenly and senselessly, at any moment. The characters are very real, with flaws and weaknesses, and so are the stresses on them.
If you like Len Deighton's Bomber, you'll like this.
Following Hornet Squadron through the Phoney War to the Battle of Britain, this is a very funny, very black story in which anyone can die, suddenly and senselessly, at any moment. The characters are very real, with flaws and weaknesses, and so are the stresses on them.
If you like Len Deighton's Bomber, you'll like this.
August 26, 2008
This is easily one of my top 5 books as of late. It took me a while to get through, but every page was worth it. This tale that follows a squadron of RAF fighter pilots through the beginnings of WWII is sharp, clever, insightful, and quite touching. Robinson himself was a pilot and so the dialogue and details continually ring true. More than a story of war, it is a story of human beings, young men from all walks of life who find themselves in dire circumstances and manage to survive, or not, by their own slight of hand. I finished this book on an airplane, fittingly enough, and closed the cover and cried.
June 24, 2023
My all time favourite novel, and it has long been due a re-read. Piece of Cake follows the fortunes of an RAF fighter squadron in the first 12 months of World War II, a very simple premise. The tale is an epic, with a large ensemble of characters, both airborne and on the ground. The novel is packed with Derek Robinson's trademark humour and violence, and it delicately balances authenticity with silly shenanigans and curious incidents. It was a pleasure to revisit Hornet Squadron and their unforgettable escapades.
May 11, 2011
My absolute favourite book of all time . Follows the story of a Hurricane squadron during the battle of france and the battle of britain.Great humour and cameraderie of the pilots during a dangerous time in their lives . Brilliant descriptions of air combat , the victories ,the heartbreaking casualties and the effect they have on the squadron and in some cases their wives and girlfriends .I re read this book on an almost annual basis.Superb.
July 17, 2011
Reviews say it all. One the best books written on the Battle of Britain and the RAF. It is fiction based on fact.
“Indeed, it would be fair to rank Piece of Cake among the best war novels ever written.” (Review…see page)
Robinson's plot line follows the notional Hornet Squadron.
I have it in my library.
Scott
http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Cake-Cass...
“Indeed, it would be fair to rank Piece of Cake among the best war novels ever written.” (Review…see page)
Robinson's plot line follows the notional Hornet Squadron.
I have it in my library.
Scott
http://www.amazon.com/Piece-Cake-Cass...
March 19, 2013
This novel is about as alose to perfection as it is possible to get. I have read it dozens on times and it really puts you through the emotional wringer. When you have stood on the remainders of the bleak forward airfields of Kent like I have, you get a real sense of place from this novel and a real sense of what these young men were going through. Utterly compelling and if you read no other novel this year, make it this one!
August 15, 2013
Completely of a different genre than I normally read, this novel affected me for a long time after reading it. It tells the story of an RAF squadron during WWII and the characters truly spoke to me. It was moving, realistic and gritty, often funny too.
May 17, 2021
I couldn’t put this one down!
Although very familiar with the BBC mini series, I hadn’t read the book until now. It’s fantastic! Put this one on your list.
Although very familiar with the BBC mini series, I hadn’t read the book until now. It’s fantastic! Put this one on your list.
September 7, 2023
This book made its way to me for a variety of reasons. A local library was cleaning out their shelves and giving away books. This one came home with me because of its interesting title and that gorgeous cover. I dived into it because I love historical fiction, and am particularly fascinated with the World War II era. I did enjoy this one. I think that the best part of it is that Robinson sketches the characters so well. They aren't just one dimensional brave and dauntless heroes. They have hopes and dreams, fears and flaws. They are friends and combatants. We get a deep dive into each man's character and the relationships within the squadron. I really enjoyed such deep character studies, and came to care for all the characters. The plot is also well done. Thrilling action sequences of Hornet squadron's air battles are interspersed with scenes from the pub and crazy antics at the base. It moves fast and paints a real picture of the time period. The only reason that I liked this book instead of loving it is that it was such an undertaking. It's over 500 pages and the writing was dense. It was worth it, but be prepared to spend some time with this one.
Piece of Cake is a daring novel of historical fiction that follows RAF fighter pilots in the Hornet squadron front the early days of World War II to the Battle of British in 1940. It is a thrilling plot and brilliant character studies. I recommend it.
Piece of Cake is a daring novel of historical fiction that follows RAF fighter pilots in the Hornet squadron front the early days of World War II to the Battle of British in 1940. It is a thrilling plot and brilliant character studies. I recommend it.
March 9, 2023
Brace yourselves!
Piece of Cake is a massive book, with a large cast of characters. In the nature of a book about the first year of World War II for the fighter pilots of the RAF, that cast changes. You will see appealing characters shot down, nasty characters survive longer than you might prefer, and the entire effort more ambiguous than you might have gathered from regular histories.
We follow the members of Hornet Squadron from the opening of World War II in September 1939 to the peak of the Battle of Britain in September 1940. The twelve members of the squadron are mostly English, with an Ulsterman and a New Zealander for diversity. They are not serious people, by and large, interesting in partying and having a good time. But they do like to fly, and they like the power of their Hurricane fighters.
One of Robinson's more useful moves is the introduction to two outsiders - an American pilot and an American female journalist - to provide a different perspective on the way Hornet Squadron is being told to fight their war. And, of course, how that war goes, depends in large part on the opposition: The German pilots in Stuka dive bombers, Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters, as well as the antiaircraft gunners.
An excellent book, with real emotional depth beyond the thrilling action sequences.
Tally Ho, the Hun!
Piece of Cake is a massive book, with a large cast of characters. In the nature of a book about the first year of World War II for the fighter pilots of the RAF, that cast changes. You will see appealing characters shot down, nasty characters survive longer than you might prefer, and the entire effort more ambiguous than you might have gathered from regular histories.
We follow the members of Hornet Squadron from the opening of World War II in September 1939 to the peak of the Battle of Britain in September 1940. The twelve members of the squadron are mostly English, with an Ulsterman and a New Zealander for diversity. They are not serious people, by and large, interesting in partying and having a good time. But they do like to fly, and they like the power of their Hurricane fighters.
One of Robinson's more useful moves is the introduction to two outsiders - an American pilot and an American female journalist - to provide a different perspective on the way Hornet Squadron is being told to fight their war. And, of course, how that war goes, depends in large part on the opposition: The German pilots in Stuka dive bombers, Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters, as well as the antiaircraft gunners.
An excellent book, with real emotional depth beyond the thrilling action sequences.
Tally Ho, the Hun!
November 30, 2020
An entertaining and informative tale of the Hawker Hurricane and the airmen who flew them over France and in the Battle of Britain. Infinitely better than the clearly Vietnam-era Goshawk Squadron which was very unsympathetic to the pilots.
The story starts during the Phoney War in France and follows the squadron through their early days, then into the desperate fighting and retreat to Dunkirk. Back in Britain, they face the German Air Force again in the Battle of Britain where constant combat and heavy casualties take their toll on the increasingly international pilots of the squadron.
It's technical aspects are accurate enough not to offend geeks, while well explained for the novice to aerial warfare.
The BBC TV series based on the book is worth a look too.
The story starts during the Phoney War in France and follows the squadron through their early days, then into the desperate fighting and retreat to Dunkirk. Back in Britain, they face the German Air Force again in the Battle of Britain where constant combat and heavy casualties take their toll on the increasingly international pilots of the squadron.
It's technical aspects are accurate enough not to offend geeks, while well explained for the novice to aerial warfare.
The BBC TV series based on the book is worth a look too.
January 9, 2024
I sometimes find books on the excellent 'Five Books" website; this one was listed as a top 5 'Best World War II Thrillers' as recommended by English author Graham Hurley - at some point I had marked it as 'Want to Read', and picked it up when I found a used copy. What an excellent find!
Written 60 years ago by an ex-RAF pilot, it is an exciting account of a fictional squadron, from the outbreak of WWII to the Battle of Britain. Written so much closer to the real event, it feels much more authentic in language, in detail, in situation - than most contemporary accounts. Controversially (at the time) it does not portray them as heroic figures doing heroic deeds against all odds - rather it shows them as deeply disturbed men in impossible situations, with sharp depictions of military incompetence, preposterously inflated media reports, and terrible confrontations over miles of sky. An excellent read.
Written 60 years ago by an ex-RAF pilot, it is an exciting account of a fictional squadron, from the outbreak of WWII to the Battle of Britain. Written so much closer to the real event, it feels much more authentic in language, in detail, in situation - than most contemporary accounts. Controversially (at the time) it does not portray them as heroic figures doing heroic deeds against all odds - rather it shows them as deeply disturbed men in impossible situations, with sharp depictions of military incompetence, preposterously inflated media reports, and terrible confrontations over miles of sky. An excellent read.
October 17, 2025
Derek Robinson is one of my guilty pleasures, a writer of ripping yarns about Royal Air Force flyers in World Wars I and II.
What sets Robinson apart from other writers of breathless war fiction is how he presents his characters -- when we are introduced to the main characters, we find them instantly dislikable egoists, which in the case of fighter pilots in the RAF of 1940 is probably close to the truth.
As one gets into this book, the redeeming features of each character slowly emerge. This being war, however, the characters appear and disappear in rapid succession. Robinson does a good job of illustrating to the lay reader just how random and unfair are the fortunes of war. Skillful pilots meet shocking sudden deaths as often as airmen of lesser quality.
I also enjoyed the fact that this novel depicted the early months of the Battle of Britain for exactly what it was -- a gruelling war of attrition in which the RAF more often than not emerged second best. This is a refreshing departure from the sepia-toned portraits of the Battle of Britain and the misconception that victory over the Luftwaffe was preordained.
What sets Robinson apart from other writers of breathless war fiction is how he presents his characters -- when we are introduced to the main characters, we find them instantly dislikable egoists, which in the case of fighter pilots in the RAF of 1940 is probably close to the truth.
As one gets into this book, the redeeming features of each character slowly emerge. This being war, however, the characters appear and disappear in rapid succession. Robinson does a good job of illustrating to the lay reader just how random and unfair are the fortunes of war. Skillful pilots meet shocking sudden deaths as often as airmen of lesser quality.
I also enjoyed the fact that this novel depicted the early months of the Battle of Britain for exactly what it was -- a gruelling war of attrition in which the RAF more often than not emerged second best. This is a refreshing departure from the sepia-toned portraits of the Battle of Britain and the misconception that victory over the Luftwaffe was preordained.
May 9, 2017
Dark humour, gripping & knowledgeable, what is there not to like? This man can write!
Though Robinson doesn't go into technical detail he knows how to describe aerial combat, but I equally liked his description of parties, hunts and landscapes. His characters are lifelike, though maybe a bit too much with so many outspoken characters gathered in one squadron. Some of them are described as no-heroes at all, but as downright homicidal villains or losers.
What also is not unimportant in an (air) war book, is that there is no way you can tell who will live and who will die.
I got the book in the middle eighties and find myself re-reading it every ten years or so. I find it ageing extremely well!
As a last compliment: I'm going to read more books of Mr. Robinson!
Though Robinson doesn't go into technical detail he knows how to describe aerial combat, but I equally liked his description of parties, hunts and landscapes. His characters are lifelike, though maybe a bit too much with so many outspoken characters gathered in one squadron. Some of them are described as no-heroes at all, but as downright homicidal villains or losers.
What also is not unimportant in an (air) war book, is that there is no way you can tell who will live and who will die.
I got the book in the middle eighties and find myself re-reading it every ten years or so. I find it ageing extremely well!
As a last compliment: I'm going to read more books of Mr. Robinson!
September 7, 2022
Absolutely hated this book, just over 700 pages of grown men acting like kids.
Worst war book I have ever read, the animal cruelty was so so bad I kept skipping pages and the pilots treatment of other characters was no better.
Though fictional If there is ANY truth to how the pilots and others in the RAF act then I am thoroughly ashamed and disgusted.
Won't be reading the others in the series or anything else by this author, to me it was highly offensive and can't give a score low enough, plus the whole story was utter drivel, glad most of the characters died I hated them all, best part of the book as they were slowly picked off.
Worst war book I have ever read, the animal cruelty was so so bad I kept skipping pages and the pilots treatment of other characters was no better.
Though fictional If there is ANY truth to how the pilots and others in the RAF act then I am thoroughly ashamed and disgusted.
Won't be reading the others in the series or anything else by this author, to me it was highly offensive and can't give a score low enough, plus the whole story was utter drivel, glad most of the characters died I hated them all, best part of the book as they were slowly picked off.
March 16, 2023
Derek Robinson’s stories of the RAF and the vagaries of airborne warfare return in the first days of the Second World War with a reincarnation of Hornet Squadron flying Hurricanes. The author’s rather formulaic strategy of combining the public-school boorish behaviour of the young pilots with the bone-chilling reality of death at 20,000 feet continues in much the same vein as it did in the WW1 stories that came before it. Characters are drawn well, and they come and go at the drop of a hat. It’s often very funny - an entertaining yet occasionally shocking read from one of the top authors in this genre.
November 25, 2023
Dark story of a Hurricane Squadron
Derek Robinson’s Piece of Cake is is significantly darker than some of the other fictional novels about the RAF in the Battles of France and Britain. The characters are less likable (one in particular), and there’s little romance to it. As we watch the main characters change as the war goes on, they become more bitter and disenchanted, watching their fellow pilots die one after the next. [New RAF pilots had about a three week life expectancy during the Battle of Britain.]
Unfortunately, by making this book darker in tone, particularly towards the end, Robinson only made it more realistic, which therefore makes it worth reading.
Derek Robinson’s Piece of Cake is is significantly darker than some of the other fictional novels about the RAF in the Battles of France and Britain. The characters are less likable (one in particular), and there’s little romance to it. As we watch the main characters change as the war goes on, they become more bitter and disenchanted, watching their fellow pilots die one after the next. [New RAF pilots had about a three week life expectancy during the Battle of Britain.]
Unfortunately, by making this book darker in tone, particularly towards the end, Robinson only made it more realistic, which therefore makes it worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews