Other editions of book Piece of Cake

From the Phoney War of 1939 to the Battle of Britain in 1940, the pilots of Hornet Squadron learn their lessons the hard way. Hi-jinks are all very well on the ground, but once in a Hurricane's cockpit, the best killers keep their wits close. Newly promoted Commanding Officer Fanny Barton has a job on to whip the Hornets into shape before they face the Luftwaffe's seasoned pilots. And sometimes Fighter Command, with its obsolete tactics and stiff doctrines, is the real menace. As with all Robinson's novels, the raw dialogue, rich black humour and brilliantly rendered, adrenalin-packed dogfights bring the Battle of Britain, and the brave few who fought it, to life.

From the Phoney War of 1939 to the Battle of Britain in 1940, the pilots of Hornet Squadron learn their lessons the hard way. Hi-jinks are all very well on the ground, but once in a Hurricane's cockpit, the best killers keep their wits close. Newly promoted Commanding Officer Fanny Barton has a job on to whip the Hornets into shape before they face the Luftwaffe's seasoned pilots. And sometimes Fighter Command, with its obsolete tactics and stiff doctrines, is the real menace. As with all Robinson's novels, the raw dialogue, rich black humour and brilliantly rendered, adrenalin-packed dogfights bring the Battle of Britain, and the brave few who fought it, to life.

Vivid and unforgettable, this popular novel follows an RAF fighter squadron during the Battle for France and the Battle of Britain. These pilots are real human beings, not two-dimensional heroes. Unconvinced of the wisdom of their leaders, they concentrate only on staying alive and on forgetting their fears of being burned to death in their planes. Some turn to drink, some turn on their compatriots in order to survive, and others score a succession of aerial victories--while acting unforgivably on the ground.

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."... "Someone must have told him about our back pay"' Piece of Cake follows the dramatic vapour trails of Hornet Squadron during the first year of World War Two from the Phoney War to the Battle of Britain and from the raw tomfoolery of young Pilot Officers to the misguided obstinacy of Fighter Command. At twenty thousand feet or on the ground, the men of Hornet squadron are quick-flying and quick-witted, always audacious and often less than scrupulous. Fanny Barton learns the hard way that promotion may be fast but leadership does not come so easily, that regret is a bygone word and that honour is a concept which you fight for but not with. He must kick his weary and bitter squadron into shape before they are all kicked from behind by Jerry whose destructive shadow is lengthening with increasing efficiency over the southern coastlines... Piece of cake. When it was first published, Piece of Cake gave rise to much acclaim and much criticism for its honest portrayal of life and action within the RAF World War Two. For those who do not wish to forget and for those who wish to learn, this is a fascinating, humorous and unsettling narrative by the author of Booker Prize shortlisted Goshawk Squadron and bestselling A Good Clean Fight.