Review Excerpts
"... this one of the most authentic and well-told stories of the Battle of Britain we have ever read. ... The characters come to us as individuals who are authentic, relatable, and unique. ... "Where Eagles Never Flew" doesn't shy away from either love nor loss and, in fact, takes the opportunity to sit with the characters in their pain, their grief, and their frustration." Chanticleer Reviews(Read full review.)
"This author struck gold with this story. ... The human side of war is intense and the detailed descriptions of the crafts and the fights were so vivid that they pulled me back in time... Quill says: I cannot recommend this highly enough. Do not miss this memorable, intense, amazing story." Feathered Quill (Read full review.)
"Readers may pick up Where Eagles Never Flew for its promise of action, but will find it holds unexpected, satisfying psychological depth as its characters grow, evolve, and confront each other and the enemy during a life-changing period in Britain's history. It's a story steeped in real-life events that goes far in tracing the changing roles and influence of women in the world, and is highly recommended reading for World War II history enthusiasts looking for something more than descriptions of battles." Midwest Book Reviews
"This is a superb novel about the Battle of Britain and is a must-read for anyone interested in that period in our history. It is now 67 years since the Battle of Britain and the summer of 1940 is gradually moving from common memory into a piece of history. So much has been written about the battle from the early factual accounts written within a year or two of the battle, through to a rash of 1950's pilot biographies and memoirs and a host of novels from the 1960's to the present day, that it is hard to imagine that a new novel could be written that would make the conflict seem fresh. Yet this is exactly what 'Chasing the Wind' has achieved." Simon Rodwell
"Helena has written a book that will become a classic. It was rated by Bob Doe, one of the top Battle of Britain fighter aces, as a book that told the story correctly and he was delighted to recommend this to a wider public. This book will be enjoyed for many years, however many times you read this. Written from actual events and pilots experiences during the air fighting of the Battle of Britain, it tells the story of just why a few hundred men prevented invasion and the horrors of death camps being a reality in Britain. Never was so much owed by so many to so few. These men now have a book to tell it like it was. Highly recommended" Paul Davies, President of the Battle of Britain Historical Society
"Its high-octane descriptions of air maneuvers and daring escapes are breathtaking.... Because of its ambitious scope and phenomenal details, down to the last "Mae West" jacket, the novel is compelling, humanizing a historical event ....." Foreword Clarion Reviews (Read full review.)
"Scenes exploring the characters inner lives are compelling... [and] Schrader also succeeds in accurately portraying the bombing raids and defense missions.... A painstakingly researched war novel with complex characterizations." Kirkus Reviews (Read full review.)
"... Where Eagles Never Flew is both inspirational and terrifying in its reality and should be required reading for anyone under the illusion that air warfare is in any way glorious. The people depicted are disturbingly authentic, and how their lives become entwined is beautifully crafted by Ms. Schrader; ... a compelling read [I] was genuinely moved by the injuries, death, and destruction which pervaded the lives of so many very special people trapped in the horror of living in the wrong time in history. A fantastic book!" Steven Robson for Readers' Favorites (Read full review)
"... a towering and sweeping story that truly does convey the horror and tragedy of war, especially the incredible odds the RAF was faced with as it stood seemingly alone in those dark days of 1940. Author Helena P. Schrader has done a remarkable job of conveying to the reader the intensity and suffering that these young men, many of them just out of school, faced as they came to terms with not only flying (often with extremely limited hours in any aircraft, let alone a Hurricane) but then actually having to fight against more experienced airmen in aircraft that in many ways were superior to their own. She manages to convey the sheer exhaustion and nerves that these young men faced on an hourly basis, often without any real rest or a break from the nerve-stretching routine of flying in the face of the unknown. I particularly enjoyed that the author chose to tell this tale from “both sides” of the fence, thereby humanizing and allowing the reader to have understanding and empathy, not only for the RAF boys but also for those of the Luftwaffe. " Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorites (Read full review)
"This is the best book on the life of us fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain that I have ever seen. Refreshingly it got it smack on the way it was for us. I couldn't put it down!" Battle of Britain "Ace" Wg/Cdr Bob Doe, DSO, DFC, and Burma Star
Summer 1940: The Battle of France is over; the Battle of Britain is about to begin. If the swastika is not to fly over Buckingham Palace, the RAF must prevent the Luftwaffe from gaining air superiority over Great Britain.
Standing on the front line is No. 606 (Hurricane) Squadron. As the casualties mount, new pilots find a cold reception from the clique of experienced pilots, who resent them taking the place of their dead friends. Despite credible service in France, former RAF aerobatics pilot Robin Priestman finds himself stuck in Training Command -- and falling in love with a girl from the Salvation Army. On the other side of the Channel, the Luftwaffe is recruiting women as communications specialists -- and naïve Klaudia von Richthofen is about to grow up.
A superb novel about the Battle of Britain based on actual events and eye-witness accounts. "Where Eagles Never Flew" shows you the Battle of Britain from both sides of the Channel through the eyes of pilots, controllers, ground crews – and the women they loved.
Copyright Helena P. Schrader
Helena P. Schrader
Non-Fiction books about the Battle of Britain recommended by Helena P. Schrader
WINNER of the Hemingway Award for 20th Century Wartime Fiction - Chanticleer International Book Awards 2020
WINNER of SILVER for Wartime & Military Fiction in the Global Book Awards 2022
WINNER of a Maincrest Media Award for Historical Fiction
Finalist for - Book Excellence Awards (Military Fiction), Feathered Quill Book Award 2021 (Historical Fiction), and Readers Favorites Book Award 2021 (Military Fiction)
BRAG Medallion Honoree