Max HastingsOperation Biting: OPERATION BITING: The Sunday Times Number One Bestselling Military History of the 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar

Detailed description and background to the daring raid - very well written and researched

This is Max Hastings at his best he conveys the events and characters in superb fashion one could almost be reading a novel in places

Another well researched and thrilling book by Max Hastings. This book tells the story in detail about a raid on the French coast about which I was only vaguely aware.

Authoritative, well researched and written

I enjoy Max Hasting’s books. They are well written and usually packed with meaty substance. But if truth be told this is pretty slim pickings, an account of a minor raid sandwiched between potted biographies of Mountbatten (whom Hastings clearly loathes, with some reason), the scientists RV Jones, General Boy Browning, and a leading Resistance figure, at the beginning and various texts at the end.The raid itself and preparations for it would in my opinion justify a chapter in a more wide ranging account of British Commando raids (there are several references to the Dieppe disaster) than a self standing book. But perhaps that book has been written already?I enjoyed the read but I found the book slim pickings and not worth the money.

An interesting read.Unlike the author I would have understood the technical detail, and thus I found the omission of the equations and in particular the diagrams from the evaluation report in the appendix frustrating.I recommended reading it.

As always, another very well researched and great read from Max Hastings. Aazing amount of detail.

Pacey and well researched, another cracking war history from Max Hastings. The Bruneval Raid story is explained from all the angles, but what distinguishes the author is the way he makes the conflict human.

well written with accuracy.

The editor should have :Chapter 2 this is an hagiography of Mountbatten. Adds nothing to the narrative of the mission. Should have been replaced by a sentence or two outlining that Mountbatten sponsored the mission and provided political support .Chapter 3 Removed in it completely. Didn't need to know or care about Gen. Browning and his stormy marriage with Daphne du Maurier.. Struck me as a bit of name dropping.Chapter 4 A bit tighter editing to make the narrative more punchy or 'biting' . The name dropping of De Gaulle adds nothing but describing the on site reconnaissance along with the over all unreliability of early resistance people underlines that this mission must have been blessed by the gods.When the narrative turns to the brass tacks of the mission, drafting the roster of men, their training etc. the book stands up and gets interesting.I give it 3 stars: glad I have it and read it but it has significant weaknesses that can't be easily glossed over.