The Few: The American "Knights of the Air" Who Risked Everything to Save Britain in the Summer of 1940

The Few chronicles the story of American pilots who volunteered to fly for Britain's Royal Air Force during the critical months of 1940. These men defied U.S. neutrality laws to join the RAF and fight against Nazi Germany before America's entry into World War II. The book follows several key American airmen through their recruitment, training, and involvement in aerial combat during the Battle of Britain. Through personal letters, diaries, and historical records, Kershaw reconstructs their experiences in the cockpits of Spitfires and Hurricanes as they faced the Luftwaffe over the English Channel and British countryside. The narrative encompasses both the daily realities of wartime Britain and the broader strategic situation as Hitler's forces prepared for a potential invasion. Kershaw details the relationships between the American volunteers and their British counterparts, as well as their interactions with civilians in an embattled nation. The Few is ultimately a story about individual choice and sacrifice in the face of global conflict. The book raises questions about moral imperatives and the role of personal conviction when nations stand divided between war and neutrality.

Readers praise Kershaw's focus on the personal stories and motivations of the American pilots who volunteered to fight for Britain before the US entered WWII. Many note the book fills an important historical gap about these early American contributions to the war effort. Liked: - Detailed pilot biographies and backgrounds - Clear explanations of aerial combat tactics - Primary source material from letters and interviews - Coverage of both famous and lesser-known pilots Disliked: - Some repetition in the narrative - Too much focus on a few key figures - Limited coverage of British perspective - Writing style can be dry in technical sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Reader Quote: "Kershaw brings these brave pilots to life through their own words and experiences. The book honors their sacrifice without over-dramatizing the events." - Amazon reviewer

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🔸 During the Battle of Britain, only 7 American pilots officially flew with RAF Fighter Command; they joined despite the US Neutrality Acts which made it illegal for American citizens to fight for foreign nations. 🔸 The first American pilot to die in combat against the Luftwaffe was Billy Fiske, who was also a champion bobsledder and had won gold medals at the 1928 and 1932 Winter Olympics. 🔸 Author Alex Kershaw conducted extensive interviews with the last surviving American pilot who flew in the Battle of Britain, Art Donahue, who wrote his own memoir titled "Last Flight from Singapore." 🔸 The American volunteers had to travel to Canada first and pretend to be Canadian citizens to join the RAF, as Britain couldn't be seen recruiting American citizens while the US was officially neutral. 🔸 These American pilots inspired the formation of the Eagle Squadrons, three RAF fighter squadrons made up entirely of American volunteer pilots, which later formed the nucleus of the US 4th Fighter Group when America entered the war.