The Bombing War: Europe, 1939-1945 - Softcover

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)

Richard Overy is one of Britain's most distinguished historians. His major works include The Bombing War, Interrogations and The Dictators.