"The Epic Struggle to Sink the Bismarck: Iain Ballantyne's Account of the Destruction of Hitler's Flagship"

Stephen Lawrie: Absolutely spellbinding - the depth of knowledge makes for a rich story that has technical as well as - and more importantly - emotional depth.

France on Mar 12, 2023

Tom T: Excellent, detailed account of the hunt and the final battle that sank the Bismark, from both sides. Readable and engaging. I've read other accounts. This one wins on the depth of fascinating detail. Recommended.

United Kingdom on Jul 13, 2022

Colin Carron: This book is a detailed retelling of the WWII epic naval battle during which HMS Hood was lost and the Bismarck sunk. But if you are looking for a stirring story of heroics you will need to look elsewhere. Also do not expect to hear much about the German side of things. The author tells the story mostly from the perspective of the Royal Navy. The main narrative is well told with interesting collected detail and personal reminiscence from those who were there. This includes the sometimes tedious clashes and friction between the various naval commanders and between Churchill and the navy brass. The level of detail prevents the narrative moving very quickly so this book might not be the best introduction to the Bismarck episode. But if you have been brought up on such classics as Ludovic Kennedy's 'Pursuit' this will introduce a new level of detail and more human understanding of the events.
As ever in books about war no one can agree exactly what happened and there is some delving into the disputed areas of events. As ever these introduce more heat than light but they include evidence from recent deep sea explorations of the wrecks. As ever these also produce no clear answers and...

United Kingdom on Sep 09, 2018

Jim Schmidt: First - it's a steal on Kindle for $1.99 - also listened to it in the car - audio narrator is a bit "robotic" but it's ok

With this book, I think I've found a new favorite author in Iain Ballantyne - in terms of naval history, at least this book anyway, he's the closest I've found to another favorite: James D Hornfischer...and I look forward to trying some of his other books out

This one was terrific - great use of first-person accounts from Winston Churchill down to the seaman level - and a riveting narrative, with an interesting concept of telling it (almost) entirely from the aspect of the Royal Navy

The story is probably well-enough known, generally, but I picked up some great information in this one that I had not given too much consideration before:

a) just how violent the north Atlantic could be - he describes ships riding on 35-55 foot swells with men on the carriers trying to keep the planes in place - it's a rough patch of ocean
b) the utility and versatility of the seemingly fragile Swordfish torpedo plane
c) how brutal a fight it was and that it was not enough to disable the Bismarck...it had to be destroyed...and the lengths required...

United States on Mar 27, 2018

maurice jensen: Iain Ballantyne has written other books about Royal Navy warships, and looking at the extensive notes, bibliography , et al I think you are on fairly safe ground if you regard him as an expert. I just wanted the story, so getting what some would call a reference work was a bit de trop. Indeed when he started off I wondered if I was going to stick the course. However, as events moved forward, HMS Hood goes "Boom" and the gloves come off.
The Navy and Churchill both want the Bismark well and truly destroyed, both to protect the Atlantic convoys from being ravaged and equally importantly to avenge the crew of HMS Hood, all but three of whom died as a result of shelling from the modern German ship. It was also personal for the Navy and the country.
The determined if somewhat less the efficient chase and the bloody finale,however,are neither dry nor academic in tone or content. I was gripped by the excitement of battle for success and thus life. Never have the stakes been so dramatically high as during this action.Failure meant death- most of "Bismark's "crew" - like "Hood's" -were lost.

"The Prince of Wales" went with Churchill to America for a meeting with President...

United States on Feb 07, 2017

Manfred Rikkerhausen: An exciting story of the Royal Navy's challenges, failures and successes in nailing the Bismark. One aspect the book does well is to show how decisions made in Whitehall on the planning and design of ships in one period can have serious consequences many years afterwards. This type of decision making is still going on today and so the book really has a very contemporary theme running through it. Another fine feature of the book is bringing in the views and opinions of the seamen of all ranks who took part in the actions. As a historical book of would have been better to have more of these voices from the German side.

United States on Nov 07, 2016

Tom Mortley: Romping read for the first 50-60%. It acknowledges from the outset an inherent bias and that it wilfully omits elements from the German side. With this in mind, it was an enjoyable read; fully aware the base instinct of revenge as motivation. You must read other titles surrounding these events to properly ground oneself (this sound ridiculously pretentious, I don't enjoy typing it, but it is important) in what occurred.

So considering it as "historic entertainment", it succeeds, it was very enjoyable to read (as was this author's other title Warspite) and I applaud the author for his style in making it enjoyable, informative and respectful.

The problem with the book is that it seems to end around the 65% mark, followed by a staccato of nautical obituaries for assiciated ships, followed by a bibliography, followed by an appendix followed by some "posts" about various elements of the preceeding story - all interesting in fairness - but seemingly as bolted on as Warspites concrete hull sections.

At 99 pence? But it, enjoy it, and maybe spark an interest in deeper research.

United Kingdom on May 06, 2016

Uncle Don: Some years ago I saw the movie "Sink the Bismarck" and then read C.S. Forester's book by the same title, as a military history major I found both very enjoyable. Then I got a copy of Baron Von Mullenheim-Rechberg book "Battleship Bismarck" and found it very interesting written by the senior survivor of the Bismarck and from the German point of view. Now along comes "Killing the Bismarck", needless to say I had to have it. I am impressed with this book, not only is it from the British point of view but it covers why the British had to sink Bismarck before she could get under German support. The author has done a tremendous job with his research not only from British sources but also referring to the German too.
The fact he uses plot charts as well as photos of the ships and senior officers helps one follow the story, although I think it would have helped if the charts were in the section the narrative covered. The sections that follow the actual book are very informative particularly dealing with what happened to the British ships after Bismarck was sunk. As a side note he mentions sending deep diving rigs to examine Bismarck as she lays on the sea floor with a photo of her bow....

United States on Feb 05, 2016

Artefact: This is a highly readable, fascinating and detailed account of hunt for and (SPOILER ALERT :-) ) sinking of the Bismarck.

It is only when reading this that you realise how much of the "history" you though you knew is derived from the film!

The author quickly reviews the steps which led to the Bismarck's design and launch, and the stumbles which left Britain unable to match her for speed and firepower. Details of the armaments and tactics are sufficient without being ponderous - there is fascinating explanation of the advantages of the Swordfish aircraft, usually dismissed as an outdated and inadequate marque on site because of its open cockpit, wood and canvas, biplane configuration.

The climax is enthralling and distressing. The cold bloodedness of war is not evaded.

My only criticism is the last part. The author sets out the eventual fate of most of the ships involved in tracking and destroying the German behemoth. Some of the stories and interesting, and illustrate how naval warfare developed very rapidly to make heavily armoured and armed battleships/battle-cruisers irrelevant before the war was over. But it is too long; too much of an anti...

United Kingdom on Aug 25, 2015