I was sent six Welbeck Publishing History books to review. War books in particular my dad enjoys reading so I knew these would be ideal for him. He is finding lockdown quite restrictive being in a shielding group, reading is one form of escapism for him.

Black Ops £20

This gripping book takes you through the undercover side of war. It includes stories of spies, assassinations, and mercenaries. I knew straight away that this title would instantly capture my dad’s attention. The book spans the first world war, second world war and the cold war up to the modern era. Black Ops is a real page turner, you want to know the impact of each intercepted communication. It is well presented with lots of pictures and documents which bring the text to life.

Spitfire Summer £9.99

This well researched story of the incredible men and women that led to winning the Battle of Britain is certainly worth a read. The detailed book includes excerpts of news articles, diary entries and letters. I think they give you an even greater understanding of the hardships (pain, hunger, and thirst) and sacrifices of the time. But also, those moments of light relief, when there was laughter and applause. Spitfire Summer covers three major stories, Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, and the Blitz. Morale did not falter even after the mass bombings. Churchill’s “we will not surrender” speech lifted spirits.

Royal Air Force £25

This story documents the history of the Royal Air Force which came into being back in April 1918. Naval power had fared us well until then. But it was also time to embrace aviation and catch up with the US.  Initially the British government relied on inventors and private investors to start the journey to flight. They knew the costs involved were high and hoped to learn from their successes and failures. Eventually attitudes changed, public interest grew, and the British government gave their full support. The book details the men, women, and aircraft at the heart of the Royal Air Force.

Victory In Europe £20

This book covers the 11 months from D-Day in June 1944 to the destruction of the third Reich in May 1945. It is full of photographs, maps, and correspondence bringing those gruelling battles and hard-fought advancements to life. It was difficult reading the number of casualties and seeing the images of the destruction. But I think it is very important to learn from history and hopefully find peaceful ways to resolve conflict going forward.

Treasures of British History £20

This book is an interesting take of our history, using important documents to tell the story. Fortunately, we have lots of written records, maps, sketches, and manuscripts stored safely to make this possible. Some of them are poignant like the distress call from the Titanic. History books can occasionally be a tricky subject to digest. But I think the way this one has been set out with key documents is very effective.

The Tudors £25

This attractive book details England’s most famous royal dynasty, which began on the battlefield in 1485 when Henry Tudor seized the crown. It is a very accessible book, full of photos and paintings. Naturally, there is plenty about Henry VIII who was famous for his six wives and his ruthless character. We learn more about Mary Tudor and the Spanish marriage to Philip of Spain 11 years her junior, the false pregnancy and struggles she faced during her five-year reign. Moving onto Elizabeth taking the throne in 1558, known as “The Virgin Queen” famous for her choice never to marry.

Giveaway

I have three of these Welbeck Publishing History Books to giveaway, I will let the winner pick the three titles that appeals to them the most. If you would like to enter the competition, please fill in the form below by the 22^nd of July.

Win 3 History Books (from a choice of 6)

Please check out my competition terms and conditions.