Paul Brickhill wrote three spectacularly good books about World War II: "Reach for the Sky," about Douglas Bader (who became a fighter ace and renowned squadron leader even after losing both legs in a prewar crash); "The Great Escape," about the most elaborate POW-camp escape of the war; and this one . . . the story of the Royal Air Force bomber squadron that used specially designed bombs to attack dams, battleships, aqueducts, and other high-value targets. Brickhill, as in all his books, is superb at describing the action (of which there is much) but equally good at drawing portraits of the main characters: gentle bomb designer Barnes Wallace, quietly determined squadron leader Guy Gibson and his irrepressible successor Leonard Cheshire, pilot Mickey Martin, and so on. Highly recommended for fans of military adventures or offbeat flying stories. ( )

A classic true story about the almost legendary actions of 617 Squadron. In post-war Britain we grew up with the story; English football supporters still have a disturbing and rather anti-social tendency to sing the theme tune from the film when England plays against a certain continental team. World War II in some ways defined a post-war generation, and this story is very much part of that. ( )

A very well done book, with insight into this area that is engaging. Definitely a job you don't want. The story of a bunch of English bombers whose job it is to take out some strategically important German dams, unsurprisingly. Brickhill is a fine war writer, so anything on that subject by him is worth a look. ( )

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. ( )