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Fighter

Penguin Modern Classics

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Fighter

By: Len Deighton
Narrated by: John Sackville
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin

History is swamped by patriotic myths about the aerial combat fought between the RAF and the Luftwaffe over the summer of 1940. In his gripping history of the Battle of Britain, Len Deighton drew on a decade of research and his own wartime experiences to puncture these myths and point towards a more objective, and even more inspiring, truth.

©1977 Len Deighton (P)2021 Penguin Audio Air Forces Armed Forces Europe Military War US Air Force

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Critic reviews

"The most honest attempt yet to tell how the Battle of Britain really was." (Andrew Wilson, Observer)

"Revolutionised thinking about the Battle of Britain in a way that has not been seriously challenged since." (The Times)
All stars
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Absolutely fantastic listen. Well written and I found the narration perfect.

Certainly challenges my previous understanding and knowledge of the BoB

Brilliant.

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Very well researched and, accordingly, etremely informative. The writing style keeps the reader alert and frewuently surprised. A clssic, it would greatly benefit of a major update, based on available, new information. Great effort overall!

Must Read, Battle of Britain Account

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I tried to read this book when Len Deighton worked in Ireland in the 1970s. Len gave my mother a copy but I was only 17 and found it too much. Revisiting Spitfire all these years later I discovered the level of detail extraordinary and thoroughly enjoyed this masterpiece.

Deighton is a master writer

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I enjoyed this slightly different "take" on the Battle of Britain, which gave an interesting change of perspective from the more conventional histories. I liked the way Len Deighton covered the pre-war developments which affected the battle - the key people, the organisation of the opposing forces, their strategies and tactics, and the equipment and technologies.

Really interesting

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There is a lot of dry humour in this book which captures a lot of the British spirit behind the perpetration, eventual victory and the questionable behaviour and treatment of its architect Dowding.

Fascinating & wryly observed

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I recently read and enjoyed 'Bomber' by Len Deighton so I sought this out and I must say it makes a compelling companion piece. It is shorter but no less impressive in the detail and analysis. Deighton is scrupulously fair to both sides. I will now try to discover some of the personal stories of the pilots. They really were our greatest generation.

Extraordinary Account

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An excellent historical record of the stories behind the air Battle for Britain.
Well researched written and read.
Stunned again how politics within the RAF ruined good mens legacies, although anyone who has studied the history know of the great roles played by Dowding and Park. Against the foolishness of leigh mallory and bader.

Fascinating historical reference

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Excellent research and content benefitting from a thriller writer's style. Sad when it was finished!

Brilliant!

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Well written and easy to listen to. Lots of new facts and insights I haven't heard before. Will definitely listen again soon and write some of them down.

Easy to listen to & some new insights into the BOB

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Love the level of facts and research that has been done. I have read a number of books on this topic and this is up with the best

Fantastic Detail

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