The Bombing War

Magnificent ... must now be regarded as the standard work on the bombing war ... It is probably the most important book published on the history of he second world war this century

Richard J Evans, Guardian

Monumental ... this is a major contribution to one of the most controversial aspects of the Second World War ... full of new detail and perspectives ... hugely impressive

James Holland, Literary Review

This tremendous book does what the war it describes signally failed to do. With a well-thought-out strategy and precision, it delivers maximum force on its objectives ... The result is a masterpiece of the historian's art

The Times

What distinguishes Mr Overy's account of the bombing war from lesser efforts is the wealth of narrative detail and analytical rigour that he brings to bear

Economist

Excellent ... Overy is never less than an erudite and clear-eyed guide whose research is impeccable and whose conclusions appear sensible and convincing even when they run against the established trends

Financial Times

It is unlikely that a work of this scale, scope and merit will be surpassed

Times Higher Education

Hard to surpass. If you want to know how bombing worked, what it did and what it meant, this is the book to read

Times Literary Supplement

My book of the year ... A staggering amount of research ... provides a sober and realistic assessment of [the bombings'] impact on the warring nations and on the civilians who bore the brunt of its impact ... It's hard to imagine a more thorough account: a masterpiece

Richard J Evans, New Statesman BOOKS OF THE YEAR

A much needed breath of fresh air ... Overy argues his point with the confidence of someone who knows he is master of his subject: his rich and varied approach, coupled with exhaustive research, makes this probably the best history of bombing of the past 20 years

Keith Lowe, Telegraph

A superbly detailed account of a terrifying aspect of the Second World War

Simon Heffer, New Statesman BOOKS OF THE YEAR

An extraordinary and far-reaching history ... the first full narrative of the bombing war in Europe ... Overy's scope is incredibly broad and well-researched, also highly readable

Spectator

This is a tough, hardheaded and meticulous work of military history ... It is worth reading

Dan Jones, Telegraph BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Overy's history explains and explores strategy, tactics, technology and results in one seamless story that shatters myths and establishes truths

Nigel Jones, Sunday Telegraph

Utterly fascinating ... What is most surprising in Overy's book is its remarkable contemporary relevance

Edward Luttwak, London Review of Books

The first full narrative of the bombing war in Europe

Commander Barney White-Spunner, Country Life