LANCASTER: THE SECOND WORLD WAR'S GREATEST BOMBER

A COMPREHENSIVE PORTRAIT OF BRITAIN'S ICONIC BOMBER.

The Lancaster and the Spitfire were the RAF's two weapons of victory in the Second World War. But without the bomber, Britain would never have been able to take the fight to the German homeland. Lancaster highlights the scale of the plane's achievements, including the famous Dambusters attacks which were a great boost to British morale and proved the flying qualities of the Lancaster and its pilots. With its vast bomb bay, ease of handling and surprising speed, the mighty Lancaster transformed the effectiveness of Bomber Command.

While addressing the political controversy surrounding the bombing offensive against Germany, Leo McKinstry also weaves individual tales into the narrative. Drawing on first-hand accounts from surviving pilots, engineers and ground crew, rich characters are brought to life, such as Roy Chadwick, the designer who taught himself engineering at night school, and Sir Arthur Harris, the bullish head of Bomber Command.

This is a compelling saga about disaster and sacrifice, triumph and heroism, which cements the plane's special place in our history.

PRESS REVIEWS OF THE BOOK

« An utterly absorbing book »
- THE TIMES

« McKinstry is extraordinarily good on that bond between the machine and the men and women who worked on her and flew her Gripping and moving »

- SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

« Like its subject, this book has power, energy and also elegance »
- DAILY EXPRESS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Leo McKinstry is a first-class historian of the Second World War and author of bestselling Spitfire and Hurricane. He writes regularly for the Daily Mail, Sunday Telegraph and Spectator. Born in Belfast he was educated in Ireland and at Cambridge University.

Praise for Leo McKinstry's bestselling :

SPITFIRE: PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND