Ted Barris’s “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory” accomplishes the incredible task of detailing the longest battle of WWII. At five years, eight months, and five days, the gruelling task of feeding, arming, and fuelling the Allied Forces and civilians through the UK was undertaken at great cost. Convoys carrying millions of tons of materiel to the UK faced often insurmountable odds against the German Navy’s U-Boats, whose wolf packs struck with devastating consequences.

Focussing on Canada’s contributions to convoy defence, naval offence, air offence, and technological innovations, Barris’s work is thorough in representing the country’s importance to the overall naval effort. For a country who was often sidelined and discounted, this work is significant in solidifying Canada’s role.

Barris’s style will appeal to the lay-person and experienced historian alike. Focussing on the telling of events through the perspectives of those who lived and died through them, makes for an engaging and personal reading experience. Contrasting Canadian perspectives, across the services, including the contributions of women, with those of their German counterparts, Barris establishes a thorough picture of the battle.

Detailed accounts of German actions in Canadian waters, including U-Boats in the St. Lawrence, the sinking of ships off the coast, and the landing of a spy and submariners, “Battle of the Atlantic” is an engaging and entertaining read.