James Holland

It is 1939. The shadow of war falls across Britain, affecting people and communities dramatically. In the little village of Alvesdon in Wiltshire, the lives of the Castell family, farmers for many generations, are profoundly changed. In this superb new novel, James Holland explores the fortunes of the Castells, from the outbreak of war until the Battle of Britain in 1940. James is also the author of acclaimed, bestselling histories of the Second World War such as The Battle of Britain, Dam Busters, Normandy ’44 and most recently Brothers in Arms. His work was greatly enjoyed by the Borders Book Festival’s founding chairman, Francis Hamilton. This session is dedicated to his memory.