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Inferno: The Fiery Destruction of Hamburg, 1943 (2007)

by Keith Lowe

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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1275214,557 (4.17)None
In the summer of 1943, British and American bombers launched an attack on the German city of Hamburg unlike anything the world had ever seen. For ten days they pounded the city with over 9,000 tons of bombs. The firestorm they created was visible for 200 miles, and pockets burned for a month. The people of Hamburg had no time to understand what had hit them. As they emerged from their cellars and shelters, they were confronted with a vision of hell: a sea of flame, the burned-out husks of fire engines, roads that had become flaming rivers of melted tarmac, and hurricane-force winds. Writer Lowe interviewed eyewitnesses and gathered together hundreds of documents. His book gives the human side of an inhuman story: the long, tense buildup to the Allied attack; the unparalleled horror of the firestorm itself; and the terrible aftermath.--From publisher description.… (more)
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Showing 5 of 5
I found this to be a really excellent book. Lowe has a style that is easily understandable and relatable...lots of use of first person which is unusual in a history book but I didn't mind it. I found the last chapter to be tedious. Lowe is trying to explain to a younger generation why we should or should not memorialize the people of Hamburg or the Allied aircrews who carried out the bombing and ends up talking in circles. He makes some good points but they are lost amid the constant "on the other hand." The result was a real letdown after some very good informative chapters about the actual event. But great maps, and amazing appendices. I'll read more from Lowe. ( )
  Jeff.Rosendahl | Jan 11, 2022 |
This is a well-written book about a controversial subject. The author brings a balanced approach to the book, neither demonising the Germans nor engaging in the ritual of RAF-bashing that has become increasingly popular in the last 20 years. Instead, he presents a very readable account of a tragedy for all who were associated with the aerial bombing of
Germany. If you want to read a book about the bombing war against Germany, this is the one. ( )
  oparaxenos | Nov 27, 2015 |
A very powerful account of the destruction of Hamburg, Germany by allied (US & British) air power. This is made all the more interesting by detailing the historical background of the city as well as how Hamburg and Germany struggled to recover from this assault. The actual description of the bombing and it's effects are horrible, sobering, and depressing.

Is it really an indicator of how far we have come as a species - how easily we can destroy one-another ? ( )
  labdaddy4 | Aug 6, 2013 |
written totally impartially fantastic story telling ( )
  MARTYRAFF | Dec 15, 2010 |
This is a very detailed book that gives an extaordinary view of the Allied boombing of Hamburg during World War II. IIt is precise in ever element from the flying, planning, and descriptions of the attacks from the air an ground. Some may think the book too technical but for students of the Allied bombing of Germany this work is an essential. It is far from tedious reading and the reader will be amazed how the author can put the reader in Hamburg during a raid. ( )
  wadezoe | Jan 10, 2010 |
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Lowe, KeithAuthorprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Hel-Guedj, Johan-FrédérikTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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In the summer of 1943, British and American bombers launched an attack on the German city of Hamburg unlike anything the world had ever seen. For ten days they pounded the city with over 9,000 tons of bombs. The firestorm they created was visible for 200 miles, and pockets burned for a month. The people of Hamburg had no time to understand what had hit them. As they emerged from their cellars and shelters, they were confronted with a vision of hell: a sea of flame, the burned-out husks of fire engines, roads that had become flaming rivers of melted tarmac, and hurricane-force winds. Writer Lowe interviewed eyewitnesses and gathered together hundreds of documents. His book gives the human side of an inhuman story: the long, tense buildup to the Allied attack; the unparalleled horror of the firestorm itself; and the terrible aftermath.--From publisher description.

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