By John R. Bruning
Hardcover, 10.75 x 12.25
336 pages, 50 color & 400 b/w photos, 3 maps
ISBN: 978-0-7603-3990-9
$50.00 / $55.00 CAN / £35.00
BUY NOW!
"This is a monumental work and it reflects exceptional historical reporting."
Hardcover, 10.75 x 12.25
336 pages, 50 color & 400 b/w photos, 3 maps
ISBN: 978-0-7603-3990-9
$50.00 / $55.00 CAN / £35.00
BUY NOW!
"This is a monumental work and it reflects exceptional historical reporting."
—Tucson Citizen
It started with a dream of avoiding the stalemate of the Great War. A generation of idealistic young men thought that glory awaited among the clouds, and strategic bombing, it was theorized, was the solution to attritional warfare. But when war returned and thousands of aircraft darkened the skies, ideals were overwhelmed by the need to defeat the evil of the Nazis. The war of attrition had just shifted to the air, to freezing, flak-filled missions with terrifyingly high casualty rates. Bombs rained down on Europe, sending civilians scurrying for shelter in blacked-out cities—or in broad daylight. Far above them an escalating battle of machines and tactics played out between bombers and fighter planes, their pilots and crews, until in the end the German war machine simply could not keep up.
The first comprehensive illustrated history of military history’s deadliest combat innovations, Bombs Away! covers the massive strategic aerial bombardment in Europe between 1939 and 1945.
From the American (U.S. Army Air Forces) and British (RAF Bomber Command) aerial campaigns against Germany to the German use of strategic bombing during the conquest of Europe and the Battle of Britain, author and military historian John R. Bruning pays tribute to the fighters and bombers and the men who flew and maintained them through hundreds of rare photographs, dozens of them in color, and a detailed text that follows the evolving air war.
Over 450 vivid images provide an unrivaled visual tour through the six years of bombing campaigns and a sobering look at the cities that bore the brunt of this devastating method of combat—from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Southampton, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast, Cardiff, and Coventry to Hamburg, Kassel, Pforzheim, Mainz, Cologne, Bremen, Essen, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
About the Author
John R. Bruning has been a professional military historian and writer since 1990. He is the author of Crimson Sky: The Air Battle for Korea, The Battle of the Bulge: The Photographic History of an American Triumph, Ship Strike Pacific, Luck of the Draw, and The Devil’s Sandbox: With the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry at War in Iraq.
Bruning served as an embedded civilian historian with the 2/162 during Operation Southern Comfort, the post–Hurricane Katrina relief operation in New Orleans. Bruning also has numerous articles, documentaries, multimedia CD-ROM programs, flight simulators, and museum displays to his credit. He lives in Independence, Oregon.
The first comprehensive illustrated history of military history’s deadliest combat innovations, Bombs Away! covers the massive strategic aerial bombardment in Europe between 1939 and 1945.
From the American (U.S. Army Air Forces) and British (RAF Bomber Command) aerial campaigns against Germany to the German use of strategic bombing during the conquest of Europe and the Battle of Britain, author and military historian John R. Bruning pays tribute to the fighters and bombers and the men who flew and maintained them through hundreds of rare photographs, dozens of them in color, and a detailed text that follows the evolving air war.
Over 450 vivid images provide an unrivaled visual tour through the six years of bombing campaigns and a sobering look at the cities that bore the brunt of this devastating method of combat—from London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Southampton, Manchester, Bristol, Belfast, Cardiff, and Coventry to Hamburg, Kassel, Pforzheim, Mainz, Cologne, Bremen, Essen, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
About the Author
John R. Bruning has been a professional military historian and writer since 1990. He is the author of Crimson Sky: The Air Battle for Korea, The Battle of the Bulge: The Photographic History of an American Triumph, Ship Strike Pacific, Luck of the Draw, and The Devil’s Sandbox: With the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry at War in Iraq.
Bruning served as an embedded civilian historian with the 2/162 during Operation Southern Comfort, the post–Hurricane Katrina relief operation in New Orleans. Bruning also has numerous articles, documentaries, multimedia CD-ROM programs, flight simulators, and museum displays to his credit. He lives in Independence, Oregon.
Reviews of Bombs Away!
"This comprehensive and gripping book details the birth of aerial warfare in World War I (Who called it the "war to end all wars?"), but concentrates mainly on the European bombing during World War II."
—History Wire
"Covering the major campaigns, the strategies, the planes, and most of all, the people involved, Bombs Away uses superior prose, quotes, and stunning photographs to bring the story of the air war in Europe to life in a powerful and unforgettable way."
—Bookpleasures.com
"The skies are empty now and the pilots and crews who fought these violent battles above the burning cities of Europe are mostly gone to their reward, knowing that they fought to defend freedom in their countries. I'm sure that when they had flown a few missions the romance of battle paled and they realized that their futures looked grim indeed. The ones who got home carried a lot of baggage with them as they do today. Only Hollywood could find this glamorous. The reality of war shouldn't fade from our memories as these brave people fought for our freedom and should never be forgotten. This book will help keep those memories alive."
—Feathered Quill Book Reviews
"Bombs Away! is an extensive, in-depth reference recommended for any military collection in general and libraries specializing in World War II events in particular. It covers strategic aerial bombardment in Europe between 1939 and 1945 and documents particular aerial campaigns against Germany and the German use of strategic bombing in Europe. Rare photos - many in color - pack a survey which considers the machines, flyers, and strategy involved, documenting the evolution of air war from its roots in World War I to the campaigns that were led across Europe."
—Midwest Book Review
"I am a WWII buff and collector. I collect memorabilia as well as books. And I found Bombs Away! to be a keeper! This is a wonderful keepsake that includes photographs and information on all air battles fought over Europe during WWII. It also includes some photos of WWI campaigns as well. The information comes from those who have been there; those who themselves fought in this war, and from various countries. Needless to say, I loved this book and it will be prominently displayed in my library."
—Book Bargains and Previews
