I have long said that Australia's Few and the Battle of Britain is my best book. I put heart and soul into it for - what was it? - six years. I had a lot of initial teething problems sorting out the structure and I almost threw in the towel at one point when I received some ill-advised (and as it turned out, totally off-beam) feedback on a couple of early chapters. But I had faith in it, as did David and my friends, and of course, the families of 'my' Australian Few.
I have been privileged to receive some wonderful comments about the book (and you can see them at http://www.kristenalexander.com.au/media#283) and have a scrapbook full of reviews that have left me speechless (no easy feat). I am so pleased that those reviewers 'got' the book and what I was trying to do.
The book was published in Australia in August 2014 and in Britain in April 2015 so I probably won't receive any more reviews for it. If this one does turn out to be my last, well, it is a mighty fine one to go out on. There are so many accolades in this review that it is difficult to pick out the best but I think I would have to say 'exacting academic rigour' appeals most. As many of you know, I am strictly an amateur history writer. I never quite finished my arts degree back in the early 80s so cannot call myself any sort of historian. (That will change once I complete my PhD.) For Andy Saunders, with so much Battle of Britain research and writing behind him to comment on my 'exacting academic rigour' - well, that just means so much to me. Thank you Andy Saunders, Britain at War Magazine.
Britain at War Magazine, April 2016
Of the many books covering the subject that were published across the 75th anniversary of the battle of Britain this is certainly one of the most readable and engaging titles of the genre and Kristen Alexander, the author, is to be highly commended on this valuable addition to the literature dealing with the history of 1940.
In this volume, the author has not only used exacting academic rigour to compile what is a fascinating and worthy account of those Australians who participated in the Battle of Britain but she has also produced what is a most readable and engaging book.
To the reviewer, immersed in the hostory of 1940, the names of all the men Kristen has covered were more than familiar - although not their individual stories. In this respect she had the reviewer's rapt attention from page one abd it is fair to say that this particular reviewer is sometimes hard to please when it comes to books on Battle of Britain related topics! Not so with 'Australia's Few' ... [which is] pacey, well-written, superbly researched and historically accurate in detail.
In her assembly of the facts, Kristen has also produced a book which is full of genuine empathy for her subjects and she has managed to construct a piece of work that stands not only as testament to the Australian 'Few' but also as a most useful reference source. Additionally, and importantly, it is also a truly excellent read. It is certainly a masterful piece of work and is one which is sure to be well-thumbed on this reviewer's book shelf over the coming years.
Nicely produced, and with a selection of evocative accompanying photographs, this book stands head and shoulders above many published in the Battle of Britain 'genre' across recent months and stands very firmly as this reviewer's favourite. Britain at War Magazine has no hesitation in recommending most highly this lovely book.
Missed a couple of lines in the scan, but you get the gist! A fine review.
