Piece of Cake - Softcover

Robinson, Derek

4.41

1,000 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006473334 ISBN 13: 9780006473336

Publisher: HarperCollins Canada, Limited, 1993

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"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."... "Someone must have told him about our back pay"'

Piece of Cake follows the dramatic vapour trails of Hornet Squadron during the first year of World War Two from the Phoney War to the Battle of Britain and from the raw tomfoolery of young Pilot Officers to the misguided obstinacy of Fighter Command. At twenty thousand feet or on the ground, the men of Hornet squadron are quick-flying and quick-witted, always audacious and often less than scrupulous. Fanny Barton learns the hard way that promotion may be fast but leadership does not come so easily, that regret is a bygone word and that honour is a concept which you fight for but not with. He must kick his weary and bitter squadron into shape before they are all kicked from behind by Jerry whose destructive shadow is lengthening with increasing efficiency over the southern coastlines... Piece of cake.

When it was first published, Piece of Cake gave rise to much acclaim and much criticism for its honest portrayal of life and action within the RAF World War Two. For those who do not wish to forget and for those who wish to learn, this is a fascinating, humorous and unsettling narrative by the author of Booker Prize shortlisted Goshawk Squadron and bestselling A Good Clean Fight.

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From the Publisher:

The dialogue is convincing, the story is emotionally moving and it contains some of the best descriptions of battle I've read..." - TIME OUT

"I defy a reader to put the book down once Robinson has got him into the air..." - Paul Fussell, NEW REPUBLIC

About the Author:

Derek Robinson was bom in 1932. After doing his National Service in the RAF he graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in modem history. He worked in advertising in London and New York until 1966, when he became a full-time writer and broadcaster. His first novel, Goshawk Squadron, reached the short list for the 1971 Booker Prize. His subsequent novels, which include War Story and A Good Clean Fight, have in common a certain debunking of the myths of war, laced with a strong streak of humour. Goshawk Squadron, War Story and A Good Clean Fight are all available in HarperCollins paperbacks.

Mr Robinson lives in Bristol, where he indulges his passion for Rugby Union football, squash and trout fishing.

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