Shortlisted For The John Llewellyn Rhys Prize And The Longman/History Today Book of the Year Award'Daniel Swift's memorial To The grandfather he never knew is a rare and subtle blend of military history, literary insight and narrative skill. A remarkable book.' Al Alvarez'Strikingly original and beautifully written, Bomber County is an elegiac contemplation of memory, loss, poetry and moral choice.' Antony BeevorOne night in June 1943 James Swift, along with the Lancaster bomber he piloted, vanished. In Bomber County, his grandson Daniel seeks to discover what happened. At the same time he tries to Understand The men who took part in these dangerous raids, As well as their devastating impact on the civilians below. In examining the life of one pilot, Daniel Swift also investigates why it is we have tried to forget what was then a new, shocking form of warfare, and why literature and poetry exploring these terrible losses have not found the recognition they deserve.'Melancholic, surprising, unflinching, compelling, mesmeric, chilling.

In its quietness and subtlety and quite beautiful writing, steals the breath away.' Daily Telegraph'Partly a travelogue, partly an elegy to a vanished British sensibility, partly a history and a moral accounting. Scholarly, moving.' the Times'Beautifully written, both restrained and heart-stopping in its emotions.' Literary Review'Fascinating, intelligent, idiosyncratic.' Guardian'Excellent, astonishing, fascinating. An exciting new kind of criticism part literary readings, part history and part personal memoir.' New Statesman.