The Longest Night reveals the untold story of the horrific bombing raid that almost brought Britain to military collapse-using extensive sur...
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reviews
Jan 05, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
Unlike Blitz, which centered almost entirely on the ordinary British citizen living in London at the time of the German attack, The Longest Night is largely about the responders -- the firemen, wardens, airmen and watchers who tried to protect London from destruction.
It is breath-taking reading, but nearly impossible to completely comprehend how the reader would feel faced with the same circumstances as words are inadequate to convey this human experience.
Let's hope we are neve More...
It is breath-taking reading, but nearly impossible to completely comprehend how the reader would feel faced with the same circumstances as words are inadequate to convey this human experience.
Let's hope we are neve More...
May 23, 2009
Graceann
rated it: 
Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Longest Night" Review"
Overall, Longest Night was a disappointment. I live in the neighborhood described, and the descriptions were so scattershot and vague that I found myself constantly referring to a London A-Z Guide to get my bearings. My husband, who has lived here for 15 years, had similar problems, and he has a much better sense of direction than I. I'm still glad I read it for the eyewitness accounts and per More...
Overall, Longest Night was a disappointment. I live in the neighborhood described, and the descriptions were so scattershot and vague that I found myself constantly referring to a London A-Z Guide to get my bearings. My husband, who has lived here for 15 years, had similar problems, and he has a much better sense of direction than I. I'm still glad I read it for the eyewitness accounts and per More...
Jan 18, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
Apparently forgot to add this one--read in August, I think. This book tells the personal stories of a number of people who were in London that night--what it was like out in the streets, inside in the shelters, how things were afterward. Most mind-boggling to me was the matter-of-fact descriptions of the firefighters who were out all over the city trying to put out fires during the incessant bombing, including the struggles to access water. Also amazing were the people who ran the mobile cant
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Nov 30, 2010
Wendy
rated it:
I think maybe the author introduced too many people's stories. I couldn't keep them straight so I stopped trying. Maybe if he had fewer people with more detailed stories I would have liked it more. The Blitz sounds horrifying but I don't think this book reflected how bad it could be. Or how good the people reacted.
Dec 21, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
Very interesting account of one night of the Blitz using personal stories.
One lamentable [but small:] editing error has George VI marrying Queen Elizabeth 4 years before the Blitz--obviously this was meant to refer to their Coronation--not wedding!
One lamentable [but small:] editing error has George VI marrying Queen Elizabeth 4 years before the Blitz--obviously this was meant to refer to their Coronation--not wedding!
Nov 16, 2010
John
rated it:
This book follows a number of characters and places before, during and after what is described as the worst night of the London Blitz. It was quite good and very detailed. I have to admit that I skimmed part of the middle bit only because all the bombing and fires got a bit repetitive.
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