For the serious student of air power this book is a must but it also makes absorbing reading for anyone interested in the bomber offensive. Sir Michael Beetham, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Aerospace
Choice, June 96
An excellent introductory essay ... Historians and others can at last make their own judgements.
belongs in the library of anyone interested in the strategic bombing campaign ... a very worthwhile volume.
Canadian Military History
Whatever your particular view on this debate, this offering is valuable. War in History
This is a remarkable book, which will appeal not just to the second world war historian, but also to those who enjoy an insight into the way Whitehall operated 50 years ago. The Times
... it is extremely difficult to approach the subject in a spirit of historical objectivity. This, however, [Sebastian Cox] has achieved admirably in a scrupulously fair introduction...followed by an invaluable paragraph-by-paragraph commentary, which shows where Harris was economical with the truth, made exaggerated claims or glossed over failures. Times Literary Supplement
The Despatch is not just a facsimile reproduction of the document that was classified for many years...The 200 or so pages that make up the despatch are full of details on almost everything that went in to making Bomber command such a mighty weapon of war...it must surely take its place amongst the really outstanding works on Bomber Command in the Second World War.
Quote reference has been lost - DG is searching! 8.1.99
Times Higher Education Supplement, 25/7/97 - Air Marshal Sir Timothy Garden
This is a remarkable book, which will appeal not just to the second world war historian, but also to those who enjoy an insight into the way Whitehall operated 50 years ago. There may even be lessons for today.
Contemporary British History, Vol 10, No 3, Autumn 96
The omissions and distortions in the despatch are ably catalogued by Cox. His critique is intelligent and balanced.
Air Mail, Jan-March 96
This book will not change the views of people of a certain maturity, but it is a most valuable and interesting historical document.
For the specialist, for reference, for those studying the brain and sinews of the Command rather than the chronological effect and deployment of their applications and yet, for those involved, a book difficult to put down.
Air Pictorial, Jan 96
As a primary source of reference it is essential reading.
The Times, 6/11/95
Major news report on publication.
Stone and Stone Second World War Book Review
While the Despatch and its appendices are full of interest and value, the publisher has vastly increased the overall impact of the book by adding several new sections to include other perspectives and to put the Desptach in its historical context.
Foreign and Security Policy web site, at http://www.tgarden.demon.co.uk/writings/articles/artharris.html
This is a remarkable book, which will appeal not just to the World War 2 historian, but also to those who enjoy an insight into the way Whitehall operated 50 years ago. There may even be lessons for today.
