I am an enormous fan of Ellie Midwood's and I await each new release with anticipation and excitement of another fantastic story from World War II. Of Knights and Dogfights is a wonderful example of what Midwood does and in my opinion, does much better than anyone else. She researches possible characters, finds real-life participants who pique her interest and then fictionalises them into magnificent stories of deering-do and romance.
This was very much the case with Of Knights and Dogfights, which is based on two real Luftwaffe aces from World War II. Although the two never met in real life, in Midwood's fictional world, they not only met, but trained and fought side by side in the skies above Europe and Africa. Her two characters, Willi and Johann, were, in many ways, the antithesis of the hatred, evil and prejudice that stalked Nazi Germany. Neither believed the racial purity lines spouted by the party and both were chivalrous and gallant toward their enemies, in a way that was always destined to bring them into conflict with the "powers that be" in 1940's Nazi Germany.
As a reader, I found myself totally invested in the lives of these two fine, upstanding, young men. I think perhaps the greatest moment of revelation was when I realised that despite being the highest and second-highest aces of WWII, both Willi and Johann were just a mere twenty-three-years of age. The horrors of war, that had required both boys to become men, way too early was reflected in their even-handed treatment of all people, regardless of their race, creed or religion. These were the Germans, who loved their beloved Fatherland and would fight to the death to protect it, but hated and despised everything the Nazi cancer had done to their home and their people.
I have yet to read a Midwood story that has left me unfulfilled as a reader and Of Knights and Dogfights will not be the first. It was a wonderful story that takes the reader soaring high amongst the clouds but doesn't shy from the realities and horrors of war that kills a nation's youth, whilst its old men plot and plan.
Another absolute winner from the doyen of WWII literature and one of my favourite authors, never mind favourite Indie Authors. Midwood stands proudly amongst the best of the legacy published authors. This book is another triumph in an already glittering portfolio.
This was very much the case with Of Knights and Dogfights, which is based on two real Luftwaffe aces from World War II. Although the two never met in real life, in Midwood's fictional world, they not only met, but trained and fought side by side in the skies above Europe and Africa. Her two characters, Willi and Johann, were, in many ways, the antithesis of the hatred, evil and prejudice that stalked Nazi Germany. Neither believed the racial purity lines spouted by the party and both were chivalrous and gallant toward their enemies, in a way that was always destined to bring them into conflict with the "powers that be" in 1940's Nazi Germany.
As a reader, I found myself totally invested in the lives of these two fine, upstanding, young men. I think perhaps the greatest moment of revelation was when I realised that despite being the highest and second-highest aces of WWII, both Willi and Johann were just a mere twenty-three-years of age. The horrors of war, that had required both boys to become men, way too early was reflected in their even-handed treatment of all people, regardless of their race, creed or religion. These were the Germans, who loved their beloved Fatherland and would fight to the death to protect it, but hated and despised everything the Nazi cancer had done to their home and their people.
I have yet to read a Midwood story that has left me unfulfilled as a reader and Of Knights and Dogfights will not be the first. It was a wonderful story that takes the reader soaring high amongst the clouds but doesn't shy from the realities and horrors of war that kills a nation's youth, whilst its old men plot and plan.
Another absolute winner from the doyen of WWII literature and one of my favourite authors, never mind favourite Indie Authors. Midwood stands proudly amongst the best of the legacy published authors. This book is another triumph in an already glittering portfolio.
Absolutely do go and take a look at Of Knights and Dogfights, along with the rest of her amazing portfolio, here on Ellie Midwood's Amazon page.
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