Book excerpt: "A new assessment of the life of one of the most famous and controversial airmen of the Second World War, this book covers Guy Gibson's sometimes troubled upbringing and the impact on him of his time at St. Edward's School, Oxford. In particular, the story of his career in the RAF is relayed, including his stunning leadership achievement in creating No. 617 Squadron and leading its attack on the dams of western Germany. The much discussed circumstances of his unnecessary death and the theories which have grown up around it are examined, as well as his legacy--he remains a great British hero almost 70 years after his death in a world utterly different to the one he knew"--From publisher's website.