Eagle Days: Life and Death for the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain

[edwest2]

Originally Posted by FalkeEins

I'm not saying she has no business writing about the BoB. There's a myriad of other BoB titles in the pipeline no doubt: there'll almost certainly be books on the 90th and then the 100th, even the 150th anniversaries. What I am taking issue with is her publisher's claim of new insights, that her book is a 'must-read', that the material has not been exploited in this way before etc

As a working book editor, I can say that some publishers are honest in their descriptions, while others make use of what Americans call hype. Keep in mind that among specialists, such gross overstatements are obvious. Annoyingly so.
But the intended audience is the general public.

In Britain, the diaries and stories passed on encourage others to remind, and remind again, others of the victory achieved. To pass this on to new generations. In America, peerage does not exist. At one time, American children were taught
about their ancestors and relatives. I certainly was. That has waned over the last 40 years.

I must commend whoever came up with this book's title. Such things require a bit of thought. In this case, both the intellect and emotions need to be engaged. The specialist views such things through a different lens than the average buyer.
Those whose lived experience is far removed from the time need to be inspired as well as reminded about an important event in their nation's history that will live on forever.