Derek Robinson books

Derek Robinson was a British novelist known for his RAF and RFC aviation fiction series, acclaimed for their unflinching portrayals of aerial combat in both World Wars.

Double Agent Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Eldorado Network 1980 Buy
Artillery of Lies 1991 Buy
Red Rag Blues 2006 Buy
Operation Bamboozle 2010 Buy

Non-Fiction

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Rugger 1964 Buy
Rugby: Success Starts Here 1969 Buy
Son Of Bristle 1971 Buy
Bristle Rides Again 1972 Buy
Stand by for Blasting 1972 Buy
A Shocking History Of Bristol 1973 Buy
Run with the Ball! 1984 Buy
The Combination 1986 Buy
Bristle with Pride! 1987 Buy
The Best Green Walks in Bristol 1994 Buy
Bloody Bristol: Shocking Histories 1998 Buy
Pure Bristle 1998 Buy
A Load of Old Bristle 2002 Buy
Sick Sentries of Bristle 2004 Buy
A Darker History Of Bristol 2005 Buy

RAF Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Piece of Cake 1983 Buy
A Good Clean Fight 1993 Buy
Damned Good Show 2002 Buy
Invasion, 1940 2005 Buy

RFC Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Goshawk Squadron 1971 Buy
Piece of Cake 1983 N/A
War Story 1987 Buy
A Good Clean Fight 1993 N/A
Hornet’s Sting 1999 Buy
Damned Good Show 2002 N/A

Standalone Novels

Title Published Buy on Amazon
Rotten with Honor 1976 Buy
Kramer’s War 1977 Buy
Just Testing 1985 Buy
Kentucky Blues 2002 Buy
Hullo Russia, Goodbye England 2008 Buy
A Splendid Little War 2012 Buy
Holy Smoke 2018 Buy

Derek Robinson wrote some of the finest aviation fiction in the English language. His RFC series covers World War I flying, with Goshawk Squadron (1971) — shortlisted for the Booker Prize — leading a group of six novels about the fragile biplanes and shorter-lived pilots of the Great War. His RAF series tackles World War II with the same unsentimental eye, beginning with Piece of Cake (1983), which was adapted into a television series.

Beyond his aviation fiction, Robinson wrote espionage novels in the Double Agent series and numerous books about Bristol, his home city, ranging from local history to humor. His non-fiction catalog of fifteen books shows a deep attachment to Bristol and its stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Derek Robinson written?

Derek Robinson has written 36 books across five series.

What was Derek Robinson's first book?

Derek Robinson’s first book is Rugger, published in 1964.

What is Derek Robinson best known for?

Robinson is best known for his aviation war novels, particularly Goshawk Squadron (1971), which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Piece of Cake (1983), which was adapted for television. His RAF and RFC series cover both World Wars.

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