The Burning Blue by James Holland

parthianbow · Post by **parthianbow** » Fri September 9th, 2011, 3:45 pm

The subject matters of this book - WW2, the Battle of Britain, a love story - all appeal to me, so it was natural for me to gravitate to buying it. Of course that didn't mean I would enjoy it. To say that I enjoyed the book, however, is an understatement. I really loved it. From the first pages, which begin in the deserts of North Africa, I was drawn into the world of Joss Lambert, the tortured hero, and his friends.

Clearly, Holland has a deep knowledge of life in the 1930s and 40s, both civil and military, because every page oozes with authenticity - to this amateur eye at least. While parts of it are deeply moving, even tragic, I found it a heartwarming homage to courage, honour, friendship and love. I thought it was absolutely tremendous, and on a par with the excellent Piece of Cake, by Derek Robinson.

Highly recommended, and five solid stars out of five.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Fri September 9th, 2011, 7:07 pm

Thanks for the review, Ben. My husband (a private pilot) told me to find him a kindle book to read while away at a conference. This looks to be right up his alley.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Fri September 9th, 2011, 7:14 pm

Oops, not available on the kindle. This appears to be only in the UK. Was it put out under a different name in the US?

annis · Post by **annis** » Fri September 9th, 2011, 11:09 pm

MLE, as an alternative you might like to try Robert Radcliffe's Under an English Heaven, which is set during WWII and one of my favourites. Looking at the Amazon listing it appears to be available as a Kindle edition.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-English-Hea ... 0349115036

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sat September 10th, 2011, 12:29 am

[quote=""annis""]MLE, as an alternative you might like to try Robert Radcliffe's Under an English Heaven, which is set during WWII and one of my favourites. Looking at the Amazon listing it appears to be available as a Kindle edition.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-English-Hea ... 0349115036[/quote]
Thanks annis, I'll get him that one.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Sat September 10th, 2011, 10:22 am

Oh yes, Under An English Heaven is brilliant and several of my USA friends have enjoyed it.
Ben, I will certainly add Burning Blue to my TBR. My tastes are eclectic and I enjoy most historical periods. I've got Harry Bingham's Glory Boys close to the top of my TBR.