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It is the Summer of 1940, and France has fallen to the invincible steamroller that is the might of Nazi Germany. Britain now stands alone, and the future looks bleak.
Pilot Officer Harry Rose, fresh from training and eager to prove himself, is posted to Excalibur Squadron, a Hawker Hurricane fighter unit based in southern England.
In the coming weeks and months of that fateful summer, as the outnumbered RAF battle grimly with the Luftwaffe in the skies above Britain, Rose will come to know what it is to love, and will experience both the glorious euphoria of success and the desperate bitterness of loss.
As his friends dwindle in number, Rose knows that it can be only a matter of time before it is his turn...

483 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2013

475 people are currently reading
111 people want to read

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Russell Sullman

7 books11 followers

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5 stars
753 (53%)
4 stars
467 (33%)
3 stars
134 (9%)
2 stars
29 (2%)
1 star
18 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Chaplain Stanley Chapin.
1,978 reviews22 followers
October 10, 2021
Undecided

It was A story on a subject that I was interested in, but at times thought about quitting. There was too much romance and uninteresting verbiage for me, as well as not enough description in the action parts.
4 reviews
July 27, 2021
An interesting historical fiction series. The story of the air war is well written. Unfortunately all the books in the series also include page after page after page of the personal life of the main character to the point of causing you to think you’re really reading a cheap romance novel. The series reads like unrealistic fill just to up the total page count. If you don’t mind skimming or actually skipping a full third of each book in the series, then they are ok reads. Or perhaps just skip the series and look elsewhere
216 reviews
January 10, 2022
Great historical fiction

The Battle of Britain was a defining moment in many of the combatants on both sides. Sullman has written a nice work regarding the experiences of one pilot and his compatriots. The battle scenes are more realistic than I usually find and gets you close to the chaotic experiences of air combat. Character development was solid. This is an enjoyable read for those interested in this historic battle.
11 reviews
November 27, 2023
Sullman's first novel in the series is very well written, and the prologue really sets up the energy of the book. Quality of the writing would appeal to college grads and the general public. Sexual tension builds as the book progresses past the midway point, but the "release" was disappointing as it turned into something of a bodice-ripper. Not helpful. I am looking forward to the development in book 2.
378 reviews3 followers
January 24, 2024
Awsome read

I loved the way.they all stood together!
If you were being chased in the air half scared to death, your mates came to rescue you. When you were down and out and thought you had no reason to go on..your mates were there to help you through the the darkness.
This story was a wake up call to show love when it was needed and courage when you had none.
Remarkable story... Don't miss out!!
1 review
May 15, 2020
This is undoubtedly the finest war novel ever written.. The description of air combat is unbelievably realistic .I liked the brilliant characterisation.. Any body with any interest in the Air force and world war 2

It cries out to be filmed and an excellent cast and director , appropriate casting would be vital for its success
118 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2021
A Great Tale of The Airwar Over Britain in the early years .

Great Characters, Action in the Air, Being Bombed & Straffed from the Air, & Romance/Love. Would be a 5 except for overdoing the charter on easy sex. Spoiled a beautiful romance for Ladyless Readers. Later books in Series have .
85 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2021
Really fine novel about the Battle of Britain...

The maturation of Harry Rose, from fresh as a daisy, new from training, to mature fighter pilot and budding leader is the crux of this story. His romance with Molly is a humanizing bonus. I'm really looking forward to the follow-up novels.
6 reviews
September 24, 2022
page turner

With the Passing of HMTQ it was appropriate to read this dramatization of the Battle of Britain.
The story describes how much Britannia and her people owed the RAF in 1940.

It makes us all proud to be allied with a nation so strong in character. A character that QEii show us all for the last 70 years.

778 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2024
A gritty book about early days in a Hurrican Squadron before and during the Battle of Britain. Learning to kill and dying in combat were both recurring possibilities during these very hectic and doubtful times. Lots of good characters pass through the story as injury and death at the early fighter bases were as likely on the ground as in the air.
52 reviews
August 22, 2020
Human Touch

Enjoyed the taut battle sequences, and the lurid exposition of young men’s testosterone ambling and conquests, but the many well-described characters and situations on the ground side of the RAF’s war was my preference.
184 reviews
February 7, 2021
EXCELLENT, couldn't put it down.

Wonderful read. The story was captivating. The side stories were real and thoroughly consuming. When ever Harry was in a tight spot you were right there.
30 reviews
February 16, 2021
Very detailed realistic! It not only shows the bravery of these WW II RAF pilots but also the fears and challenges they faced every time they sorted during the Battle of Britain. A definite must read for any WW II history buff!
153 reviews3 followers
Read
March 17, 2021
I enjoyed the flying action and also the love story wound in to the whole thing. It was very entertaining and reminded me of things I had heard growing up in post war England from my parents. I will certainly read the next in the series, I want to see what happens next!!
Profile Image for Karl Schaeffer.
793 reviews9 followers
July 10, 2021
Very entertaining, historical novel about the RAF in WWII. The book follows Pilot Officer Harry Rose as green pilot, flying Hurricans in post Battle of Britain England. Historically accurate with great detail about the planes, WWII air combat and WWII England.
Profile Image for Marten Wennik.
225 reviews11 followers
August 11, 2021
A good tale, with fine action

I liked the story and enjoyed the development of Harry Rose as a character. The writing is good and with better proofreading the book would be smoother. However, still a fun read that kept me interested to the end.
8 reviews
December 19, 2022
A story of War and Love

I have read a lot of war stories, and this is one if the best. A first person narrative that pulls you into the feelings and experience of a young man gone to war and love. So well written. A novel that I doubt you will soon forget.
9 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2023
Great Action!

Wow! This was a great read! The combat action was tense! Had me sitting on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down. Really loved this book. Can’t wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Glenn.
1,761 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2024
A really enjoyable book (for the most part) - there were sections that I did not enjoy. Harry Rose is a likable character (again for the most part)... The dog fights and the relationship between the flyers/crews are really well described which made the book a good read...
Profile Image for Stephen.
1,968 reviews141 followers
April 30, 2024
Two young people meet in the middle of a war and spend a long time making eyes and saying "Oh, Harry!" and "Oh, Molly!" at each other. Very syruppy. The combat scenes and technical detail are good, but there's more romance in this than in romance books I've, and it's a cloying kind.
17 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2024
Riveting and engaging.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the way the characters were built and blended into the story line. The plot line changed frequently enough to keep you guessing and engaged. Ready for the next volume!
Profile Image for Tony Hisgett.
3,027 reviews36 followers
December 22, 2024
The book starts with a Prologue with Harry Rose getting shot down in a dogfight, the next chapter is Rose on a train heading to his squadron. I really hate this, why start a book with something that happens much later?
7 reviews
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March 25, 2025
Realalistic

Well written! My father fought in Africa with the British, went in as a private, retired as a colonel. He never spoke of the war accept when scolding me for complaining about a meal.
Profile Image for Steve.
34 reviews
December 6, 2020
Great War story!

Great Air war story and love story mixed together! The air battles are some of the most realistic I have seen. Very enjoyable read. Hated for it to be over.
198 reviews8 followers
December 30, 2020
Always

This is the first ok of the group and I believe it is already one of the best novels I have read. Realistic characters, flying, comrades and love. Well
Written and impossible to put down. Great book! Thank You Russel Sullman.
8 reviews
February 18, 2021
Brings alive the battle of of Britain

A good blend of technical accuracy emotional portrayal , camaraderie
And excting air battles. A great hero's journey from novice to ace
2 reviews
May 1, 2021
A very well written novel!

The author penned a descriptive story of the early stages of the Battle of Britain. I strongly recommend it ! Well done.
104 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2021
Enjoyed the book immensely

A great story line, well told with a number of unexpected variations. Technically well put together presumably by an experienced author.
438 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2021
Great Book

This is a Great Book about British in World War 2. I found it to be N Enjoyable and Easy read.
56 reviews3 followers
July 21, 2022
Great read

Realistic telling of a time of momentous history. Accurate action by outnumbered RAF pilots those of NEVER HAVE SO MANY OWED SO MUCH TO SO FEW.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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