Product guide

The Gathering Storm: Prelude to the Spitfire Summer of 1940

Prelude Spitfire Summer: The Gathering Storm is a Kindle edition covering the build-up to the Battle of Britain and the early fighting of 1940. Its account ranges across air power, British defenses, Germany, the Home Front and political events, with the listing describing a detailed, day-by-day account of the conflict.

At a glance

Covers the political and military context leading into the Battle of Britain, including Norway, the Fall of France and Dunkirk.
The listing says the narrative challenges the conventional July 10, 1940 start date and follows the fighting day by day and hour by hour.
The scope includes Royal Navy, Bomber Command and Coastal Command as well as fighter pilots.
The listing describes use of official primary sources, personal papers and first-hand accounts.

Price

$3.99Save 87%

Reference price: ~~$29.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Broadens the story beyond Spitfire and Hurricane pilots to include other services, political developments and the Home Front.
Its chronology and focus on the events preceding the main summer campaign suit readers looking for context rather than a narrow aircraft or squadron study.
Kindle accessibility details list screen-reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Air World
Publication date	July 31, 2023
Language	English
Print length	318 pages
ISBN-13	978-1399056380

Kindle edition
File size	23.2 MB
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Not Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers seeking a wide-ranging account of the events and forces that shaped the Battle of Britain.
Those interested in historical context, primary-source research and perspectives beyond fighter combat.

Less suited to

Readers looking only for a short, narrowly focused account of Spitfire pilots or aircraft specifications.
Readers who prefer a concise overview rather than a detailed chronological narrative.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 46 ratings

5 stars69%69%
4 stars16%16%
3 stars9%9%
2 stars0%0%
1 star6%6%

Aggregate customer ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the five-star category, but a smaller share of lower ratings means reactions are not uniform. With no written feedback supplied, the ratings do not identify particular strengths or criticisms. Consider the book's extensive scope and chronological detail when deciding whether its approach suits your interests.

Frequently asked questions

What period does the book cover?

The listing describes background events before the war and the developing conflict through the early Battle of Britain fighting in 1940, including Norway, France and Dunkirk.

Is the book limited to fighter pilots?

No. Its stated scope also includes the Royal Navy, Bomber and Coastal Commands, British defenses, political events, Germany and the Home Front.

What Kindle features are listed?

The product details list screen-reader support, enhanced typesetting, Word Wise and Page Flip. X-Ray is listed as not enabled.

How long is the Kindle edition?

The listing gives a print length of 318 pages and a file size of 23.2 MB.