Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Author Gustav Milne published the novel “The Thames at War: Saving London From the Blitz” in 2020 (July). Mr. Milne has published more than a dozen books.

I categorize this novel as ‘G’. The book gives the history of the Thames river in the area of London during WWII. It is pretty dry and not the easiest read. It does bring out an ignored strategy that the Germans could have employed. Had they tried to bomb the areas along the river they might have flooded parts of London.

The 3.5+ hours reading the 224-page non-fiction account of WWII London were interesting. It was not a ‘fun’ read, but is was informative though a bit tedious. I do like the selected cover art. I give this book a 3.7 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

Gustav Milne has written an amazingly well-researched book covering the little known, various London defences during the time of the blitz. He writes in particular, about the Thames-Flood emergency teams (TF) who were responsible for repairing breaches in the flood defences of the Thames These previously unknown heroes, by necessity, worked throughout the height of the air raids in some very dangerous situations.
This book will appeal to scholars and historians as well as those who just love London history. The prodigious amount of references somewhat distracts from the overall read. However, the photographs add a more engaging aspect to the book. Interestingly I even have some identical photos hanging on the wall of my office!
One aspect of the London blitz that unfortunately wasn't covered by Milne, was the courageous role of the Port of London tugboat crews. On many occasions, they towed burning vessels away from the quaysides - including ammunition ships. A small mention of these men wouldn't have gone amiss.