The Battle of Britain
By James Holland
Bantam Press
ISBN: 978-0593059135
#163;25
The story may be well known, but this year, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, it seems appropriate to revisit what many believe was the turning point in the Second World War. Hitler’s failure to establish domination of the air was crucial in postponing the invasion of Britain. And while its importance in Germany’s defeat may be overstated - the catastrophic campaign in the east arguably had a greater impact - this, nevertheless, is a fitting, and beautifully illustrated, tribute to the Few, while not forgetting the unsung heroes of Bomber Command.
The Love Verb
By Jane Green
Michael Joseph
ISBN: 978-0718154530
#163;16.99
This 11th novel from the bestselling US-based British author looks like another sure-fire hit. For Callie, love is about her husband and children; for her sister Steff, about living life to the full without settling down; for Lila, Callie’s friend, it is finding a soulmate; for Walter and Honor, Callie’s parents, it is about their daughters. Then Callie gets some life-changing news and all these ideas about love are up for grabs.
What I’m reading - Mike Lamb
Fact is often weirder than fiction and this point is illustrated in Greg Grandin’s Fordlandia. The book recounts how Henry Ford, then the richest man in the world, tried to set up a bit of Main Street America, complete with square dancing and golf courses, in the Amazonian jungle in the 1920s. Halfway through, things are looking bleak, if incredibly interesting.
Mike Lamb is a biology and psychology teacher at Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex. Send your What I’m Reading to features@tes.co.uk.
