The previous book, Wings for the Lion, Book 1, The Folly, chronicled how provision of effective weapons into the hands of British combatants often occurred in spite of institutional thinking and, instead, through the determination of individuals who challenged rigid thinking. In both world wars this resulted in British airmen facing their foes in inadequate aircraft. This book, The Reckoning, provides an account of the air crew who fought in inadequate aircraft in pursuit of flawed tactics, juxtaposed with an account of political and command level machinations.