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Under an English Heaven
1943. The sleepy Suffolk village of Bedenham is jerked into the twentieth century and the harsh realities of war by the arrival on its doorstep of an American bomber base and its three thousand inhabitants. For Billy Street, fourteen, a London evacuee uneasily billeted with the village blacksmith, the American invasion is heaven sent - unlimited opportunities and acceptance at last within a community he loves. Yet a concealed past threatens his new happiness. Billy's schoolteacher, Heather Garrett, awaits word of a husband missing for eighteen months. A stranger to Bedenham, Heather's sense of isolation - and village suspicions - are heightened when troubled American pilot John Hooper, reaches for her friendship. And daily the skies fill with the bombers and their ten-man crews who, during that bleak autumn of 1943, suffered losses on a catastrophic scale. For Hooper, tormented by earlier loss, leading Misbehavin' Martha and her disorderly crew safely through their 25 designated bombing missions becomes a personal crusade.
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2002
17 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 12, 2017
A wonderful novel about an American air force unit in Sussex during the Second World War.
Nail biting and descriptive narratives about the air fights which can be graphic.
The relationships and characterizations are amazing.
John Hooper a commander who struggles with the guilt of losing his squadron and the English school teacher Heather Garrett who is his love and soulmate and helps him through his pain. The streetwise young London evacuee Bill Street, the mascot of the base and his sad history and relationship with his foster family. Claire, an English teen and her relationship with a young American pilot,
Characters well developed, heartrending and written in a way that we come to know the characters.
Great insight into the times.
The where-are they now chapter at the end is what earned this book it's fifth star.
Nail biting and descriptive narratives about the air fights which can be graphic.
The relationships and characterizations are amazing.
John Hooper a commander who struggles with the guilt of losing his squadron and the English school teacher Heather Garrett who is his love and soulmate and helps him through his pain. The streetwise young London evacuee Bill Street, the mascot of the base and his sad history and relationship with his foster family. Claire, an English teen and her relationship with a young American pilot,
Characters well developed, heartrending and written in a way that we come to know the characters.
Great insight into the times.
The where-are they now chapter at the end is what earned this book it's fifth star.
July 21, 2011
I'd had this book lying around for some time and finally decided I'd better read it! I'm glad I did. This is a wonderfully written, moving book about the American crew of a B17 bomber based in Norfolk during World War 2. It starts with carnage as one pilot loses his whole crew while another crew loses their pilot. You can guess that they are teamed up. The damage and post-traumatic stress they all suffer is movingly captured by Radcliffe, as is their growing sense of camaraderie as they rack up mission after mission on their way to that elusive number 25, which means they can go home.
Radcliffe's descriptions of the missions are tense and accurate, conveying some sense of the claustrophobia and sheer terror these men experienced as they flew missions deep into enemy territory. But the book doesn't just focus on the Americans. It also touches on the lives of some of the people from the village near the airbase, especially a young evacuee, Billy Street, who's obssessed with the bomber crews, and Heather, a teacher who's husband is a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp and who finds a soulmate in the damaged pilot Hooper.
There's a nice twist at the end too which I won't spoil, but this is a great book which manages to be both exciting and believable, while paying tribute to the brave souls who fought and died in the skies above Europe during those fateful years.
Radcliffe's descriptions of the missions are tense and accurate, conveying some sense of the claustrophobia and sheer terror these men experienced as they flew missions deep into enemy territory. But the book doesn't just focus on the Americans. It also touches on the lives of some of the people from the village near the airbase, especially a young evacuee, Billy Street, who's obssessed with the bomber crews, and Heather, a teacher who's husband is a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp and who finds a soulmate in the damaged pilot Hooper.
There's a nice twist at the end too which I won't spoil, but this is a great book which manages to be both exciting and believable, while paying tribute to the brave souls who fought and died in the skies above Europe during those fateful years.
July 29, 2011
I think it would be true to say that halfway through this book I still didn't fully understand what was going on. I think it probably helps to know a bit about aviation, and a bit about the battle for air supremacy in World War II. Maybe. I'm not too well up on either. I stuck with it, though, and the book seemed to miraculously come together, I got my head round the myriad characters (and promptly re-read chapter 1). The story picked up, I really started to care about the characters, and I added to my knowledge of history along the way. The relationship between Eldon and Claire was skilfully written, as was the very emotional ending. I love it when books go into that 'where are they now' routine. All in all a good book that I am sure would be even better the second time around.
February 9, 2021
4,5
Echt een mooi boek! Het begin kan een beetje verwarrend zijn, omdat er erg veel verschillende plotlijnen zijn, maar het komt allemaal bij elkaar. Het is ook erg spannend en je leeft je echt in in de karakters.
Samenvatting:
1943. De rust in het dorpje Bedenham wordt wreed verstoord met de komst van ruim drieduizend Amerikaanse soldaten. Iedere ochtend, nog voor zonsopgang, vertrekken honderden van hen in bommenwerpers richting Duitsland. Velen keren nooit terug. De bewoners gedragen zich wantrouwig tegenover de vreemdelingen. Behalve Billy, een jonge evacué uit Londen, die niets liever doet dan rondhangen bij de Amerikanen, en alles weet over de vliegtuigen en hun bemanning.
Heather, Billy's lerares, wacht al anderhalf jaar op bericht van haar man die met zijn legeronderdeel naar Azië is gestuurd. Het is zeer de vraag of hij nog leeft. Heather put kracht uit haar werk, maar thuis wachten haar eenzame, lange avonden.
Totdat ze John Hooper ontmoet, een getraumatiseerde Amerikaanse piloot die bij een ongeluk zijn complete bemanning verloor en zelf op miraculeuze wijze overleefde. Hooper wordt verteerd door schuldgevoelens. Wat er destijds gebeurd is, kan hij zich niet meer herinneren en hij weet dus niet of hij verantwoordelijk was voor het drama. Hij wil maar één ding: zijn taak in de oorlog eervol volbrengen.
Tussen Heather en John groeit meer dan vriendschap. Hun liefde vormt het enige lichtpuntje in de duisternis van de oorlog. Maar beiden zijn zich ervan bewust dat deze liefde ook een keerzijde heeft..
(dit is van bol.com)
Echt een mooi boek! Het begin kan een beetje verwarrend zijn, omdat er erg veel verschillende plotlijnen zijn, maar het komt allemaal bij elkaar. Het is ook erg spannend en je leeft je echt in in de karakters.
Samenvatting:
1943. De rust in het dorpje Bedenham wordt wreed verstoord met de komst van ruim drieduizend Amerikaanse soldaten. Iedere ochtend, nog voor zonsopgang, vertrekken honderden van hen in bommenwerpers richting Duitsland. Velen keren nooit terug. De bewoners gedragen zich wantrouwig tegenover de vreemdelingen. Behalve Billy, een jonge evacué uit Londen, die niets liever doet dan rondhangen bij de Amerikanen, en alles weet over de vliegtuigen en hun bemanning.
Heather, Billy's lerares, wacht al anderhalf jaar op bericht van haar man die met zijn legeronderdeel naar Azië is gestuurd. Het is zeer de vraag of hij nog leeft. Heather put kracht uit haar werk, maar thuis wachten haar eenzame, lange avonden.
Totdat ze John Hooper ontmoet, een getraumatiseerde Amerikaanse piloot die bij een ongeluk zijn complete bemanning verloor en zelf op miraculeuze wijze overleefde. Hooper wordt verteerd door schuldgevoelens. Wat er destijds gebeurd is, kan hij zich niet meer herinneren en hij weet dus niet of hij verantwoordelijk was voor het drama. Hij wil maar één ding: zijn taak in de oorlog eervol volbrengen.
Tussen Heather en John groeit meer dan vriendschap. Hun liefde vormt het enige lichtpuntje in de duisternis van de oorlog. Maar beiden zijn zich ervan bewust dat deze liefde ook een keerzijde heeft..
(dit is van bol.com)
August 22, 2013
I was loaned this book by a very dear elderly friend of mine,so elderly that he had the envious job of servicing Spitfire aeroplanes during the war.
He was also one of the founding members of the magnificent RAF Musem at Cosford.
Under An English Heaven was one of those magnificently written and accurate novels of Wartime England.
When a story is told this well, it's hard to put the book down, it never becomes repetitive or boring,and the story even though its fictitious has a great sense of realism behind it, you can almost envisage the events in the novel actually happening.
A book one can easily return to in years to come, it's novel writing of the highest order, its only ashame all novels were not as descriptively brilliant as this one.
He was also one of the founding members of the magnificent RAF Musem at Cosford.
Under An English Heaven was one of those magnificently written and accurate novels of Wartime England.
When a story is told this well, it's hard to put the book down, it never becomes repetitive or boring,and the story even though its fictitious has a great sense of realism behind it, you can almost envisage the events in the novel actually happening.
A book one can easily return to in years to come, it's novel writing of the highest order, its only ashame all novels were not as descriptively brilliant as this one.
July 16, 2011
I loved this marvellous, touching, real novel set in Suffolk during WWII. It was enthralling, romantic, with wonderful descriptions of flying a B17 Flying Fortress. Couldn't put this down.
Back Cover Blurb:
The Second World War has England struggling for its survival, but in Suffolk, in the summer of 1943, beautiful weather and bumper harvests almost distract the locals from the build-up to one of the most crucial battles of the war. At dawn, the hosts of bomber bases constructed among East Anglia's quiet hamlets dispatch American airmen for daring daylight assaults against Germany's industrial war engine. At the village of Bedenham, a dusk watch records those few lucky enough to return - and the many who do not. The villagers live in fear and apprehension, but for one inhabitant, things are splendid. 14-year-old Billy Street is a canny London evacuee, and he is happy to take advantage of the opportunities sent to him, thriving in the acceptance he is now receiving. Billy's teacher Heather Garrett is waiting in anguish for news of the husband who has been missing for nearly two years, while US pilot Lt John Hooper is struggling with the trauma that is destroying him; he is trying to come to terms with the death of his entire crew and his own shameful survival. His friendship with Heather brings hostility from the village, and salvation for both seems a distant hope.
Back Cover Blurb:
The Second World War has England struggling for its survival, but in Suffolk, in the summer of 1943, beautiful weather and bumper harvests almost distract the locals from the build-up to one of the most crucial battles of the war. At dawn, the hosts of bomber bases constructed among East Anglia's quiet hamlets dispatch American airmen for daring daylight assaults against Germany's industrial war engine. At the village of Bedenham, a dusk watch records those few lucky enough to return - and the many who do not. The villagers live in fear and apprehension, but for one inhabitant, things are splendid. 14-year-old Billy Street is a canny London evacuee, and he is happy to take advantage of the opportunities sent to him, thriving in the acceptance he is now receiving. Billy's teacher Heather Garrett is waiting in anguish for news of the husband who has been missing for nearly two years, while US pilot Lt John Hooper is struggling with the trauma that is destroying him; he is trying to come to terms with the death of his entire crew and his own shameful survival. His friendship with Heather brings hostility from the village, and salvation for both seems a distant hope.
January 24, 2016
A brand new author for me and I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. It's not an action packed, thrill a minute war story, nor is it a war-torn, hopeless romance. But what is is fall neatly between the two - a very clever move by the author and a brilliant way to tell the story.
The novel is set around an American air base during World War II and the village nearby. One of the flight crews suffers a horrific mission the first time out and a new pilot is brought in to gel them back together, but Hooper has problems and a past of his own. Meanwhile, Mrs Garrett tries to continue as normal, teaching at the school, while her husband is reported missing and a young evacuee tries to hide his past with a new future.
I really liked the characters and the mix of stories. The writing style was entertaining and easy to read, and the plot itself was a nice twist of emotional moments. I liked the 'happy ever after' style ending, plus the surprises involving so many of the characters.
A great read and an author I'll look out for in future.
The novel is set around an American air base during World War II and the village nearby. One of the flight crews suffers a horrific mission the first time out and a new pilot is brought in to gel them back together, but Hooper has problems and a past of his own. Meanwhile, Mrs Garrett tries to continue as normal, teaching at the school, while her husband is reported missing and a young evacuee tries to hide his past with a new future.
I really liked the characters and the mix of stories. The writing style was entertaining and easy to read, and the plot itself was a nice twist of emotional moments. I liked the 'happy ever after' style ending, plus the surprises involving so many of the characters.
A great read and an author I'll look out for in future.
April 26, 2021
One of the best novels i have read on the Second World War.It is well researched and written in a uncomplicated way. An American bomber crew stationed in Suffolk in 1943,theirs lives and their interaction with the locals involving lots of drama and romance and humour, their bombing missions, coming under enemy fire and air combat, and been bombed themselves while on a visit to London at night during an enemy raid are all described in thrilling detail.
A very accurate picture of life in wartime England i will be looking out for more of this authors books
A very accurate picture of life in wartime England i will be looking out for more of this authors books
July 30, 2019
I’ve had this book on my shelf for years and really wish I’d read it earlier. Beautifully written and so well researched, great characterisation, I feel as if I’ve flown in Misbehavin Martha myself! A wonderful read.
May 28, 2021
An outstanding book depicting the relentless terror of US bomber flyers, based in the Suffolk village of Bedenham during World War II. Radcliffe's powerful descriptions of aerial combat gave me an immediate sense of being in the planes, without sensationalising any of the visceral fear of enemy defence. Following the crew of 'Misbehavin' Martha', the author pulls us in bit by bit to the reality of a world both under threat and in flux.
I struggled to connect initially as there were so many threads to the narrative and I couldn't see the relationship between them all. However, gradually the themes and characters emerge and coalesce with deft writing and satisfying depth. I defy you not to care about all of the characters, little Billy Street the evacuee who frequently skips school in favour of pursuing his wheeler-dealing ideas and natural affinity to the adult airmen at the base; Heather, the newly-wed local teacher whose husband has been missing for many months and is feeling the uncertainty of who she is (widow or wife); her in-laws grappling with the see-saw emotions of grief and hope as well as the crews some of whom appear and disappear before we even know their names. As lives weave in and out of one another, the sense of foreboding and the mental challenge of living on the edge, having seen things no man should ever have to see, the reader is inextricably drawn into it all. The book takes us through to the decommissioning of the base and a 40th anniversary in 1985.
This was an excellent read; I'm sorely tempted to start it again immediately now that I have the overall understanding of all the characters, the time line and narrative. The writing is expressive and emotive where required and elsewhere its concise descriptions take us into the thick of the air battles where flak, bullets, bombs and blood feature. The pace is carefully crafted and the characters memorable. The acknowledgements inform us that 'Wherever possible, details of specific combat operations are based upon first-hand accounts of real events.' That's sobering and adds to the weight and impact of the book.
A five-star review is well merited and I'd thoroughly recommend this engaging and enthralling book.
I struggled to connect initially as there were so many threads to the narrative and I couldn't see the relationship between them all. However, gradually the themes and characters emerge and coalesce with deft writing and satisfying depth. I defy you not to care about all of the characters, little Billy Street the evacuee who frequently skips school in favour of pursuing his wheeler-dealing ideas and natural affinity to the adult airmen at the base; Heather, the newly-wed local teacher whose husband has been missing for many months and is feeling the uncertainty of who she is (widow or wife); her in-laws grappling with the see-saw emotions of grief and hope as well as the crews some of whom appear and disappear before we even know their names. As lives weave in and out of one another, the sense of foreboding and the mental challenge of living on the edge, having seen things no man should ever have to see, the reader is inextricably drawn into it all. The book takes us through to the decommissioning of the base and a 40th anniversary in 1985.
This was an excellent read; I'm sorely tempted to start it again immediately now that I have the overall understanding of all the characters, the time line and narrative. The writing is expressive and emotive where required and elsewhere its concise descriptions take us into the thick of the air battles where flak, bullets, bombs and blood feature. The pace is carefully crafted and the characters memorable. The acknowledgements inform us that 'Wherever possible, details of specific combat operations are based upon first-hand accounts of real events.' That's sobering and adds to the weight and impact of the book.
A five-star review is well merited and I'd thoroughly recommend this engaging and enthralling book.
July 23, 2012
Before picking up this book I had not heard of the author but am a fan of history based books and throughout I could not resist comparisons with Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong albeit in a different theatre of War not to mention different War but it had the same poignancy about it. This was perhaps a little harsh if true.
The book is set around a USAF Bomber base near the Suffolk village of Bedenham and in particular the crew of Misbehavin' Martha and it's pilot Hoops as he tries to help them to complete their tour of 25 sorties before they are released from their obligations and can return home to the US. The story takes place as the US 8th Airforce are taking terrible losses and the chances of surviving 25 sorties are very slim. The detail of the flying sorties are realistic and I felt that I was living with them but the story is not about macho aviators but rather a tale of wasted young lives and sacrifice. I found the scenes of the village life in Bedenham an interesting counterpoint to the main story, as it shows how war touches everyone whether serviceman or civilian and how not everyone appreciated the sacrifices that these young men made.
I won't ruin the ending other than that the chapters about the crews 25th mission was very touching and I willed them on all the way. Once again I saw familiarities in Faulk's Birdsong as there were parallels to the first day at the Somme in that particular book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book it built up nicely in pace throughout it's 430 pages. I felt that the characters were well portrayed even the civilian ones and the flying action descriptions realistic without being too technical. Perhaps not as good as Birdsong but a good read nonetheless and I will certainly look out for any more books by this author.
The book is set around a USAF Bomber base near the Suffolk village of Bedenham and in particular the crew of Misbehavin' Martha and it's pilot Hoops as he tries to help them to complete their tour of 25 sorties before they are released from their obligations and can return home to the US. The story takes place as the US 8th Airforce are taking terrible losses and the chances of surviving 25 sorties are very slim. The detail of the flying sorties are realistic and I felt that I was living with them but the story is not about macho aviators but rather a tale of wasted young lives and sacrifice. I found the scenes of the village life in Bedenham an interesting counterpoint to the main story, as it shows how war touches everyone whether serviceman or civilian and how not everyone appreciated the sacrifices that these young men made.
I won't ruin the ending other than that the chapters about the crews 25th mission was very touching and I willed them on all the way. Once again I saw familiarities in Faulk's Birdsong as there were parallels to the first day at the Somme in that particular book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book it built up nicely in pace throughout it's 430 pages. I felt that the characters were well portrayed even the civilian ones and the flying action descriptions realistic without being too technical. Perhaps not as good as Birdsong but a good read nonetheless and I will certainly look out for any more books by this author.
June 10, 2016
The book begins rather slowly, which may have been because of all the characters that needed to be introduced, but it doesn’t take long before you find yourself completely enthralled. The book was a joy to read. I came to love all the characters, American and British, whose lives were so changed by the War: Billy, the street-wise evacuee who is befriended by one of the bomber crews; Heather, the wife of a soldier missing in Burma; Hooper, the pilot who is still living down the loss of his first crew; radio operator, Gerry Via, whose first aid course fails him when its most needed, co-pilot Irv Underwood, who sees their first pilot’s head practically shot off, and the rest of the crew of the Misbehavin’ Martha, who must come to trust their new pilot. They, and many others, all come to life in this story of survival, and how those under continual threat deal with, and are changed by, their threatening circumstances. And the surprise at the ending was a sheer delight.
I’ve already looked into acquiring more of this writer’s books, I loved this one so much.
I’ve already looked into acquiring more of this writer’s books, I loved this one so much.
October 12, 2010
I enjoyed this book, it was easy enough to read. It was a sort of "Memphis Belle" meets George Elliott meets Thomas Hardy somewhere between the fens and Wessex, mainly in the Second World War but a bit either side of it as well.
If that makes any sense at all.
It's a pretty detailed account of an American Bombing crew during WW2, juxtaposed with the obligatory forlorn love story.
But it has a twist - and I'm not saying any more than that! But I've read a lot worse - though don't really expect this book to change your world view either. A pleasant enough interlude.
If that makes any sense at all.
It's a pretty detailed account of an American Bombing crew during WW2, juxtaposed with the obligatory forlorn love story.
But it has a twist - and I'm not saying any more than that! But I've read a lot worse - though don't really expect this book to change your world view either. A pleasant enough interlude.
June 30, 2011
As well as having a good storyline running through it, this book gives the best description I've yet to read of what the war in the skies was actually like for those fighting it: at times I really felt that I was there with them & the tension was almost unbearable - I really don't know how they withstood the stresses & forced themselves into those flying coffins day after day.
I always had an admiration for the achievements of all three branches of the armed forces during WWII, but, hats off those brave men of the RAF & the USAF!
Superb book
I always had an admiration for the achievements of all three branches of the armed forces during WWII, but, hats off those brave men of the RAF & the USAF!
Superb book
January 23, 2021
By the time I reached the half way mark in the book I had worked out what was going on, it's a very confused & complicated start & takes about one third of the book to really start to make sense. It's worth reading but be prepared to be puzzled till it begins to 'jell'. All the characters are well written, the story is good but a background or outline would have been preferable. It's a bit graphic here and there but what else can you expect ?, it's not going to sugar coat death & still feel authentic regarding the horrors of war.
August 21, 2011
I thought this was an excellent depictian of life in the second world war, I was impressed to learn a few more things about the second world war and was also impreesed by the amount of true events that actually changed the storyline. For anyone who like me is interested in WW2 I strongly suggest this book.
January 8, 2012
I loved this charming book. i almost cried when it ended. It was a book I could keep reading and reading. The setting, the atmosphere and the mood of World War II England was superb. i felt as if I was there myself. and the characters ... so real. By the end of the book they felt like friends. I would recommend it to anyone who loves books on this best time in modern England's history.
February 11, 2014
Really enjoyed this novel although I would have liked it to have been longer. Such good characterisations that had the potential to develop further. Would love to see this adapted for television. Will have to wait for HBO's 'Mighty Eighth' TV release to get something similar. Recommend it for residents of East Anglia.
January 27, 2018
Based around a Flying Fortress squadron in late-1943, the story focuses on a crew and the inhabitants of the Suffolk village near their airfield. The flying is superbly described, realistic and tense, and the characters are fully believable, particularly the female teacher whose husband is missing in Singapore, a young evacuee who is not what he seems and several members of the crew aiming for twenty-five missions. Not totally convincing historically but a powerful and moving examination of the air war over Europe.
August 10, 2018
One of the best war times stories if not the best I have read
Robert Radcliffe uses his vast and highly impressive knowledge of war time Sussex/Suffolk/Norfolk/east Anglia to write a truly fantastic and highly interesting and informative novel which I honestly struggled to put down
A brilliant writer and a true talent who engages the author superbly, wether your from east anglia or not, a truly stand out book which deserves nothing less than all 5 stars
Looking forward to enjoying more of his work in the near future!
Robert Radcliffe uses his vast and highly impressive knowledge of war time Sussex/Suffolk/Norfolk/east Anglia to write a truly fantastic and highly interesting and informative novel which I honestly struggled to put down
A brilliant writer and a true talent who engages the author superbly, wether your from east anglia or not, a truly stand out book which deserves nothing less than all 5 stars
Looking forward to enjoying more of his work in the near future!
October 12, 2020
Tells it like it was
Another quasi historical but immensely educational book from a highly talented author.
It’s a fact that many young people sign up to experience the ‘adventure’ of going to war. This book pulls no punches and brings reality into the world of the reader.
The social world of East Anglia at this time cannot be ignored and is described from an informed and no doubt well researched perspective.
I enjoy all of this authors work - you keep writing them and I’ll keep reading them
Another quasi historical but immensely educational book from a highly talented author.
It’s a fact that many young people sign up to experience the ‘adventure’ of going to war. This book pulls no punches and brings reality into the world of the reader.
The social world of East Anglia at this time cannot be ignored and is described from an informed and no doubt well researched perspective.
I enjoy all of this authors work - you keep writing them and I’ll keep reading them
July 16, 2023
Wordlessly, lips trembling, Beans lifted the parachute pack on his chest. There were tears in his eyes.
"What?" Hooper looked. "What is it?" Then he saw. A hole. A rough tear. The size of a finger.
The parachute was use-less. A deathtrap. Despair washed over him, just for a second. How much more? The others were ready.
Then his face broke into a smile. He clapped Beans on the shoulder. "No problem, Sergeant, it's probably nothing." He began quickly unclipping his own pack. "But best not to risk it. Here, take mine. I'll go with the spare."
"Spare? Uh, I didn't know-_"
"In the nose, under the pilot's seat. Didn't think we'd be flying about the place without spare parachutes, did you?”
"What?" Hooper looked. "What is it?" Then he saw. A hole. A rough tear. The size of a finger.
The parachute was use-less. A deathtrap. Despair washed over him, just for a second. How much more? The others were ready.
Then his face broke into a smile. He clapped Beans on the shoulder. "No problem, Sergeant, it's probably nothing." He began quickly unclipping his own pack. "But best not to risk it. Here, take mine. I'll go with the spare."
"Spare? Uh, I didn't know-_"
"In the nose, under the pilot's seat. Didn't think we'd be flying about the place without spare parachutes, did you?”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2017
I finished this book and almost went back to the first page to reread, but I lent it to someone instead. I will be recommending this to lots of people, I think it would appeal to all sorts of readers due to the different characters and angles this story has. It unfolded wonderfully, and as you get to know the characters you see how their relationships develop. Being written by someone who was in the war I like to think it was quite accurate too.
January 6, 2019
Found it difficult to put down! WW2 story of a Flying Fortress crew based in Suffolk, along with some of the local people they interacted with.
Absolutely facinating accounts of the flying and the effects of the prolonged stress on the crews.
Despite the grim nature of lots of the action, it's not all gloom and doom, humour and affection shine through. Likewise the local relationships are not presented in a slushy or pruient way but with discretiona and sensitivilty.
Well worth reading
Absolutely facinating accounts of the flying and the effects of the prolonged stress on the crews.
Despite the grim nature of lots of the action, it's not all gloom and doom, humour and affection shine through. Likewise the local relationships are not presented in a slushy or pruient way but with discretiona and sensitivilty.
Well worth reading
January 17, 2018
really enjoyed following the story of the crew of the martha misbehaving , was also a very sad book but was interesting to read from the prospective from a us bomber crew during the second world war, and everything they faced during their missions and i liked how it followed up on the crew years later with the twist at the end i will not say what as i do not want to spoil it for other readers .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2018
Tells the story of a Suffolk village during WW2 which houses an American Air Force base. Well written book which not only details the bravery and horrors that the Air Force endure but also how the war affects everyone including the villagers and the loved ones at home. Great storytelling and humbling to read about what they endured. Will look up other books by this author.
March 6, 2021
Factual descriptions of air raids into Europe during WW2 set against life in rural Sussex during the same period. Having a father-in-law who flew bombers at this time and a mother who nursed in central London during the attacks from Germany, this story had personal significance for me. Well researched.
May 6, 2021
Well told human interest story of the lives of the WW II American bomber crews and the English villagers in the surrounding countryside. Both my parents lived in England during war, one in London and the other in Kent. If I compare their accounts with those in this book much of what is recounted rings true.
August 4, 2017
I am disappointed with this. I expected it to be similar to the very entertaining 'Yanks' written by Colin Welland.
There wasn't one realistic, believable character in this book unfortunately, nor a decent plot.
There wasn't one realistic, believable character in this book unfortunately, nor a decent plot.
July 5, 2019
If you enjoy stories about WW2, both from the point of view of aircrew and domestic life in Britain, this book is a must. The action sequences are exciting and accurate, while the domestic scenarios are spot on. Good story.
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