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The Epic of Flight
The RAF at War
Book by Barker. Ralph.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Ralph Barker
55 books5 followersRalph Hammond Cecil Barker was a non-fiction author who wrote several books on the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Air Force (RAF) operations in the First and Second World Wars, and about cricket.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 27, 2020
Like all the volumes in this series, wonderfully illustrated and very well -written. This volume does not just focus on the Battle of Britain, although a chapter is devoted to that subject, but covers the role of the RAF in the bombing campaign in Europe and its experiences in Africa, the Mediterranean and the Far East. A compelling narrative.
April 4, 2019
My dad had this series and I've read this several times since I was nine. It is an excellent primer and pictorial guide to the RAF in World War 2.
July 29, 2025
I think reading this narrative about the RAF's activity during World War II in the middle of an active genocide managed to turn me into a fan of "Bomber" Harris which is not something I would have thought possible that long ago.
Of course, I still think that the premise of the strategic bombing campaign was flawed but as a tool to destroy the warmaking capabilities of the Germans through the destruction of Germany itself is one that I think has been borne out as a means that while distasteful was one that the Germans very much brought upon themselves.
I think many of us watching the world today can very much understand this line of reasoning now in a visceral way. That's all I'll say on that.
The best part of the book is the full color painting reproduced here, many of them commissioned by war artists. This is the kind of material that doesn't even make it into many contemporary books which rely instead on photographs which even in color don't have the same quality that you get from these expressive works of art.
The narrative is a good short history of the war with a focus on the RAF contribution. Even though the focus on this book series is aviation the military history here is solid.
Of course, I still think that the premise of the strategic bombing campaign was flawed but as a tool to destroy the warmaking capabilities of the Germans through the destruction of Germany itself is one that I think has been borne out as a means that while distasteful was one that the Germans very much brought upon themselves.
I think many of us watching the world today can very much understand this line of reasoning now in a visceral way. That's all I'll say on that.
The best part of the book is the full color painting reproduced here, many of them commissioned by war artists. This is the kind of material that doesn't even make it into many contemporary books which rely instead on photographs which even in color don't have the same quality that you get from these expressive works of art.
The narrative is a good short history of the war with a focus on the RAF contribution. Even though the focus on this book series is aviation the military history here is solid.
June 10, 2016
A decent beginner's guide to the RAF in WW2. As one other reviewer mentioned it is like a(n extended) magazine article. Little new for any of us who have read extensively on the subject, but nice and concise for neophytes.
April 9, 2012
Not that great. A brief history that overall reads like a magazine article. Of course with a lot of overlap with that other book, the Luftwaffe at war.
March 19, 2015
One of the best books I have ever read in my life very informative and has lots of information that you cannot find anywhere else.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews