- Imprint: Bantam
- ISBN: 9780857509628
- Length: 304 pages
- Price: £22.00
James HollandThis is history as it should be written: as page-turning and compelling as the best thriller, rich in human drama yet deeply researched and authoritative. Abel Smith has a rare eye for detail and this tragic episode in the Second World War is superbly told with compassion, edge-of-seat tension and the deftness of a master story-teller.
Al MurrayThe summer of 1940 is not short on drama and Operation Catapult – when the Royal Navy turned its guns on the French Fleet to deny it falling into enemy hands – is one the toughest decisions Churchill was forced to make. Edward Abel Smith takes us right into the heart of the drama, as men who worked together as allies faced each other as possible enemies. Minute by minute chances slip away, and pride, fate and war collide.
John SweeneyIn war, the worst is not killing the enemy but someone in the way. Read this astonishing book on Churchill's darkest hour.
About Edward Abel Smith
Edward Abel Smith is a writer, documentary filmmaker and podcaster. He is the author of three books, including Ian Fleming’s Inspiration and The British Oskar Schindler: The Life and Work of Nicholas Winton, which was the subject of a major motion picture starring Anthony Hopkins. His third book, Angels of Prague, tells the story of the evacuation of 15,000 people during WW2.
Abel Smith is the consultant producer for the forthcoming Sky documentary, ‘Post Office Murder’, and is the co-host and co-creator of ‘Lucy Letby: Was There Ever A Crime’, a podcast with close to a million downloads. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, The Times, The Guardian and The Washington Times. He has also been a guest on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, as well as many history podcasts.
Edward lives near the South Coast of England with his wife, two daughters and their dog, Vesper.
www.edwardabelsmith.com
Abel Smith is the consultant producer for the forthcoming Sky documentary, ‘Post Office Murder’, and is the co-host and co-creator of ‘Lucy Letby: Was There Ever A Crime’, a podcast with close to a million downloads. His writing has appeared in numerous publications including The Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday, The Times, The Guardian and The Washington Times. He has also been a guest on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service, as well as many history podcasts.
Edward lives near the South Coast of England with his wife, two daughters and their dog, Vesper.
www.edwardabelsmith.com
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- Hardback 2026
- Ebook 2026
- Audio Download 2026