Winkle : The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot

Author: Beaver, Paul

Biography: historical, political & military

Published on 16 January 2025 by Penguin Books Ltd in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 544 pages
198 x 128 x 33 | 408g

Discover the daring life story and astonishing adventures of Captain Eric Winkle Brown - Britains greatest-ever pilot Winkle Browns astonishing adventures make for fascinating reading SUNDAY TIMES[A] thumping great biography by Britains leading aviation historian DAILY MAIL, BOOK OF THE WEEK*MARITIME MEDIA AWARDS BEST BOOK NOMINEE*--Small in stature but immense in reputation and talent, there was more to Eric Winkle Brown than met the eye.

From shooting down Luftwaffe bombers from the deck of a carrier in the Battle of the Atlantic and narrowly escaping death when his ship was torpedoed, to accumulating a never-to-be repeated litany of world records and firsts as a test pilot, his unparalleled flying career saw him take the controls of over four hundred different kinds of aircraft - more than any other pilot in history.

A rival to Chuck Yeager and hero to Neil Armstrong, by the time of his appearance on Desert Island Discs 1000th episode Winkle had become a legend in his own lifetime, and by his death, a national treasure.

But despite his enormous fame, there have always been mysteries at the heart of Winkles story.

Now, drawing on previously unseen documents and unfettered access to Winkles own personal archive, Paul Beaver uncovers the complex and enigmatic man behind the legend - the real story of Britains greatest pilot.

A story Winkle insisted could only be told after his death . . .

----------Compelling, fascinating and frequently jaw-dropping. A brilliant and revelatory biography JAMES HOLLANDBeaver recounts the story of a man he regarded as a mentor in unshowy but fascinating detail, and restores a British hero to his rightful place OBSERVERAn excellent biography PATRICK BISHOP, DAILY TELEGRAPHThe extraordinary story [of] a fearless pilot and decorated war hero. Epic THE HERALDA thrilling new biography DAILY EXPRESSA thumping great biography of the flying ace who made Top Gun look tame ... enthralling DAILY MAILRiveting ... one of those must-read books, compelling and full of incidents that leave you gasping with surprise ... an incredible story FLYERAn incredible life ... Brown took a secret to the grave that makes his story all the more remarkable THE SUN