The Dam Busters

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Summary: True-life high adventure. TARGET: From Rhur dams to Hitler!
Review: I first read this story as a freshman in high school and couldn't put it down! I have re-read the book several times since then. The adventures of 617 Squadron have all of the elements of an Indiana Jones movie; from the most inovative, fantastic, and bizarre ideas (five-ton bouncing bombs to ten-ton, earthquake producing "Tall Boy" bombs) to shear, white-knuckle, edge-of-your-seat danger (low-level night flying over Nazi Germany). Check out Paul Brickhill's "The Great Escape" and "Reach for the Sky." You won't be disapointed

Rating:
Summary: A first-class true-life epic of WWII British Aviation
Review: I have read, and re-read this book many times overthe last several years. Having studied 617 Squadronoperations in general, and meeting some of the few survivors, I can't get enough of the inside story on this wonderful special-ops squadron. Also please read Enemy Coast Ahead, by Guy Gibson,who was the original Dambuster's leader. I find many of the ops after the dams raid to be even more interesting and harrowing !! This is a great read for general interest and true buffs alike.

Rating:
Summary: Not just for World War II flying buffs.
Review: This story is a writer's godsend - a fantastic story that has historical implications, interesting characters that are also heroes, very important situations and settings, tension and high drama. Brickhill does a great job telling the story of the squadron that became known as the Dambusters. This book gives us the story behind the raid - he science and hard work developing the technology behind the success. It also follows the further raids of the men of 617, and the development of the bombing technology as the war continues.

Brickhill balances the story between the technology and the human. All of 617 come across as sterling chaps, which is to be expected. I was surprised that the writing in this book did not seem dated, considering when it was written.

While not really 'faults' there are some 'less than perfections': while Cochrane, Wallis, Gibson and Chester all are clear and memorable characters (these are major players in the book), many other characters get the occasional mention here and there that leaves you wondering 'And which one was he?' This is also a book aimed a people with military knowledge. Therefore if a reader is not completely au fait with military terms (or fortunate enough to have someone nearby who is, like I was) you may occasionally feel a bit clueless. And after the last major action of the book - the sinking of the Tirpitz - the book seems to lose its edge (though the epilogue is a very good roundup of what happened to whom). But overall this is an entertaining read by a great writer about an exciting story. Not just for World War II flying buffs.