Lancaster
The Making of a Very British Legend
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Lancaster
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Narrated by:
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Andrew Wincott
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By:
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John Nichol
About this listen
'The epic story of an iconic aircraft and the breathtaking courage of those who flew her' Andy McNab, bestselling author of Bravo Two Zero
Former RAF Tornado Navigator, Gulf War veteran and bestselling author John Nichol now tells the inspiring and moving story of this legendary aircraft that took the fight deep into the heart of Nazi Germany.
'The Avro Lancaster is an aviation icon; revered, romanticised, loved. Without her, and the bravery of those who flew her, the freedom we enjoy today would not exist.'
Sir Arthur Harris, the controversial chief of Royal Air Force Bomber Command, described the Lancaster as his 'shining sword' and the 'greatest single factor in winning the war'. RAF bomber squadrons carried out offensive operations from the first day of the Second World War until the very last, more than five and a half years later. They flew nearly 300,000 sorties and dropped around a million tons of explosives, as well as life-saving supplies. Over 10,000 of their aircraft never returned. Of the 7,377 Lancasters built during the conflict, more than half were lost to enemy action or training accidents.
The human cost was staggering. Of the 125,000 men who served in Bomber Command, over 55,000 were killed and another 8,400 were wounded. Some 10,000 survived being shot down, only to become prisoners of war. In simple, brutal terms, Harris's aircrew had only a 40 per cent chance of surviving the war unscathed.
From John Nichol, the Sunday Times bestselling author of Spitfire, comes a passionate and profoundly moving tribute to the Lancaster bomber, its heroic crews and the men and women who kept her airborne during the country's greatest hour of need.
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Critic reviews
'Don’t miss this very special book; it’s so good. An extraordinarily powerful tribute to the Lanc’ that will leave you truly moved and humbled by the scale of what those young men endured night after night in that magnificent, faithful machine to defend freedom from tyranny. Lancaster is the book that they have always deserved.' (Rowland White)
What listeners say about Lancaster
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Thomas Hawthorne
- 25-03-21
A Lesson on Humility
The bond between crew members and the undoubted love of the Lanc shines through this personal and moving account. We are reminded of the fact that ordinary men from ordinary families were capable of such extraordinary heroism in the face of almost certain death. It was an honour to listen to this well read book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul
- 22-09-20
A moving tribute to the aircraft and the crews
I bought this after listening to the book on the Spitfire.
To be honest I enjoyed the start but then found myself struggling to get through some of the chapters and the harrowing losses the crews suffered. I then kicked myself, as I'm only listening I didn't and never will have to experience the pressures, fear, loss and the random chance of death that some many experienced. But I think I can understand why so many went despite the risks and I can only hope I would have the courage.
I finished this book whilst working in our temporary office, that we set up in a garage for COVID, I had tears in my eyes and a determination never to forget the history of this aircraft and the people who served in them.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- peter regan
- 15-08-22
Wonderful book, superbly written.
So proud of men and women like these.
So very proud of bomber command, what they had to do and the sacrifices they made.
Unbelievable story , loved every single minute of it. I laughed and cried from first chapter to the very last.
Just read this book, you won’t be sorry.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Stuartm
- 18-09-22
A really insightful listen
A fascinating, moving and compelling story of the worlds most iconic bomber and the brave young men that flew in them.
I found this audiobook impossible to turn off.
Some extremely poignant recollections and well narrated, leaving me thinking about that incredible generation of young men and women that flew and supported Bomber Command, almost 56,000 of whom never returned.
A must listen/read for anyone fascinated by the history of WW2
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard Dolan
- 28-09-20
Beautifully written, terrible narration
A lovely book with some wonderful stories and detail. So very sad that the narration very nearly stopped me listening. There was absolutely no need to use accents and voice tones. Basically spoilt a good book.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D Roberts
- 10-07-20
Brilliant
Very well written and at times very moving. Having read many books on the Lancaster, I felt this one stood out in most beautifully capturing the human side of the Lancaster story. What these brave men (and their families) went through was remarkable. The book is further enhanced by fabulous and very skilful narration. Thanks to John Nichol and Andrew Wincott for a perfect audiobook.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Cephas Beer
- 17-03-23
Enjoyed it
A very good and realistic book of what happened
Good back stories as well for those involved
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- jed
- 22-07-24
Stories about the crews and their friends and families.
I thought there would be more technical detail on the Lancaster however it more than made up by detailing the life of the crews and the other people who were part of their lives. Hard to imagine what they went through.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Badger
- 17-04-21
never forgotten hero's
loved it, it has it all, gripping, factual, emotional, fabulous story telling, real life accounts, recommend
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- Robert Upton
- 05-06-20
Fantastic!!
This is a fantastic book and a superb follow up to ‘Spitfire’ To hear the stories made hairs stand up! Cant recommend it enough!
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