A very balanced look at a tragedy, the fire-bombing of Dresden by the UK and the US air forces, which also manages to show how horrific the situation was even before that happened, and the importance of remembering the horrors that both sides committed. An excellent book that is as much an exploration of everything that was lost from the Dresden of before the war as what happened on the ground during the bombing.

Well-researched and as pacy as fiction. The author knows his subject and shares his knowledge stylishly.

This book offers a detailed account of not only the controversial air raids on Dresden in February 1945 but also a brief history of the city and its cultural significance. It goes on to place the raid in the context of the many ethical questions that surround the use of ‘area bombing’ as a central feature of the RAF’s strategic bombing campaign.

Few readers will be able to read the way that survivors’ testimony has been carefully crafted into a coherent narrative without a sense of total horror. However, some readers may feel that the book tries to embrace within its scope rather too many ambitions. The later chapters of Dresdeners’ life under communist rule, in particular, left this reader unsure of its purpose, as it seemed to lessen the focus on the awfulness of that night in 1945.

McKay brings a passion to his writing, which is readily apparent in his fluent style; whilst overwhelmingly positive, this might have led to the inclusion of rather too much detail, particularly in the pre 1945 history. His attempts to examine the much scrutinised justifications of the decision to unleash a massive force of bombers on Dresden in the closing months of the war are reasonably balanced, reflecting the many influences that were brought to bear on Sir Arthur Harris. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision to crush Dresden it is surely right to question the other morality involved in sending bomber aircrew to fight against appalling odds and then to deny the survivors the acknowledgement, via a campaign medal, of serving in the branch of the armed services with the highest casualty rate.

Having enjoyed books by Sinclair McKay before, I was delighted to receive a copy of his latest, for review. This is a detailed – but certainly not dry – account of the bombing of Dresden on the 13th February, 1945, shortly before the end of the war in Europe.

In 1945, Dresden had a veneer of normality, but, beneath the surface, there was a deep sense of unease. However, for most of the inhabitants, the disquiet was more about the approaching Russian army than fear of being bombed. With the war coming to an end, it was hoped that Dresden had escaped the worse of the bombing campaign. Although Germans were aware of the destruction of cities like Hamburg, they tried to tell each other that it was unlikely the city would be bombed now due to the beauty of the city, or because of secret agreements. They were proved to be very wrong…

In this book, McKay has walked a careful line between reporting what happened and telling the human stories from both sides, but not blaming those involved in the bombing. Even at the time, there was some hostility towards the airmen and their role in the conflict. While the RAF fighters were viewed as romantic figures, those manning the bombers were seen as involved in a more, ‘industrial form of warfare.’ With the war obviously coming to a close, there were questions about the destruction of cities and the killing of civilians, but Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris of Bomber Command, never showed a flicker of doubt about the campaign.

What the author does so well, in this book, is to tell the story of what happened from the human angle. Some of those involved were well known, such as diarist Victor Klemperer. Others include workers, a surgeon, schoolchildren and others caught up in those events. It explains what the city of Dresden was like before the night of 13th February, during that long, long, night and the aftermath. McKay gives great background and juggles the various characters seamlessly. This has made me keen not only to read Klemperer’s diaries (for the few remaining Jews in the city, like Klemperer, as well as prisoners and slave labourers, many rejoiced at the sense of retribution, even while in personal danger, or used the chaos to escape) but also the later mysteries of Miles Tripp, a young airman who later became an author. I love the way that books lead you to other books and this was, certainly, one of those books.

Engrossing, emotional, and gripping. This is a fantastic read, which takes you through the unleashing of a terrible air power. From circus tents, through hospitals, church crypts, and in the back of bombers, this is an unforgettable and moving book, which I am pleased that I read. I received a copy from the publishers, via NetGalley, for review.

I am halfway through this book. The subject matter is interesting but I am finding the book difficult to get through as there is so much detail. I enjoy the eye witness accounts but there is too much detail in other parts such as the section on Bomber Harris.
Update I finished this book finally. The section on the actual bombings is excellent. The eyewitness accounts, the bombers views and the first section had laid the groundwork very ground in describing the layout and history of the section. The book is very detailed and a lot of research has obviously been done. Perhaps better editing could be done with the first part and short biographies of the witnesses quoted. I'm upgrading to 4 stars based on the rest of the book. I recieved the book free with Netgalley