TELEGRAPH HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025

The Luftwaffe has been historically – almost cartoonishly – depicted as the RAF’s antagonist in the Battle of Britain. But how much do we really know about the experiences of those in the Luftwaffe in 1940?

In this brilliant new history, Victoria Taylor uses ground-breaking research and never-before-translated primary sources to reveal the full complexity of the Battle of Britain from a German perspective. Letters and diaries from those in the cockpit, as well as contemporary eyewitness accounts of paratroopers, anti-aircraft gunners and air signalmen, give a revelatory insight into the military, political, social and cultural influences that shaped the men who flew in Hitler’s air war.

This is an astonishing new perspective that transforms our assessment of a well-trodden period of history.

Diving in deeper than dogfights, this fantastic study gives us the 1940 Luftwaffe with its varnish stripped away. * Peter Caddick-Adams *
By refocusing on the 'Luftschlacht um England’, the 'Battle of Britain’ through a German lens, Victoria Taylor transforms familiar history into a fascinating account of both courage and culpability. Deeply researched, this page-turning history enriches without glorifying. Important and overdue. * Clare Mulley *
In this vivid, involving, account Dr Taylor confirms some popular assumptions about both the Luftwaffe and the RAF, and qualifies or demolishes many others. She thereby establishes herself as one of the most promising talents among the younger generation of military historians. * Frederick Taylor *
With Eagle Days, Victoria Taylor finds a fresh and compelling way of analysing the landmark battle, and proves herself a historian to watch -- James Holland * The Telegraph *
[A] fascinating debut... Eagle Days is essential reading * Unseen Histories *
Comprehensive, multi-layered and filled with rich detail and eyewitness accounts... A riveting and timely read from one of our finest young historians * The Express *
Taylor has done the historiography of the battle an enormous favour... [and has] skilfully demonstrated the deep-set ideological motivation of the Luftwaffe. * The War Room *
Truly unique... [Taylor] has a very distinct way of looking at the Luftwaffe and its men, which is quite different to earlier works on the Battle of Britain * Aerospace Magazine *

Dr Victoria Taylor is an award-winning aviation historian. She has published in various mainstream publications including BBC History Extra, Britain at War, and Iron Cross magazines. Victoria has also served as both an on-screen expert and off-screen consultant for a number of historical documentaries for television and radio, including BBC Two, Channel 5, History Hit, Sky History, National Geographic, and BBC Radio 4.