Published to coincide with
the 70th anniversary of the Battle of
Britain is a new book by Leo McKinstry: 'Hurricane - Victor of the
Battle of Britain.' If you only buy one book on the Hurricane, make it
this one. Although very readable it is a scholarly work with 23 pages
of source notes referenced to statements in every chapter (including
the HA Newsletter!), a 9 page bibliography, a 15 page index and 38 well
chosen illustrations. The complete history of the aircraft is covered
in considerable detail from origins through design, development and
production to service, 'The Last of the Many' and retirement. This 373
page book is published by John Murray and is very good value at £20
(ISBN 978-1-84854-339-3).
Another excellent 'B of B' book is 'Park - the Biography of Air Chief
Marshall Sir Keith Park GCB, KBE, MC, DFC, DCL' by Vincent Orange. This
is another readable, scholarly work with extensive source notes,
bibliography and index. As commander of No.11 Group, Fighter Command,
New Zealander Keith Park was responsible for the air defence of London
and South-East England. As Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder
said of Park, "If ever any one man won the Battle of Britain, he did."
This biography covers Park's entire life and RAF career from WW 1,
through the Battle of Britain, Training Command and Malta to South-East
Asia and retirement. This 301 page book is published by Grub Street in
paperback at £12.99. (ISBN 978-1-902304-61-8).
Updated on 30Oct2010