Aircrew Book Review: Time off ... again

28 March 2013

Time off ... again

Well, I might as well write something this month! I'm about to disappear until the end of April as I prepare for yet another exam. The past few months haven't generated as much material for ABR as I would have liked but that has been entirely due to my lack of time to do so.

The new books have been flowing in quite nicely as you can see by the ever-increasing list of covers on the right-hand side of every page. There is a distinct Bomber Command theme - note the Australian title in the 'pile', the weighty Lancaster Men by Peter Rees - with many of the new books and I will be partly highlighting this in the near future by shining a bit of a light on the works of Alan Cooper and the new editions of his books being published by Pen & Sword this year.

ABR has recently had the review for The Bomber Command Memorial Book published in the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's magazine, Rag & Tube. Well, I had it published as it's attributed to me and doesn't mention the site but it's 'out there' all the same. Hopefully, a shorter version of this review and two others will appear in the next issue of Flightpath.

On the subject of new books, I am very much looking forward to Graeme Gibson's first volume of his No. 16 Squadron SAAF history, Path Of Duty. As comprehensive and 'unknown' a history as this is, I can guarantee every reader will be blown away by the sketches, profiles and artwork that will supplement the photos. You will never see better. Something more well known is the Battle of Britain and Kristen Alexander is set to release Australian Eagles which is the prelude to her 'opus' - the much-anticipated Australia's Few. What was to be an e-book will be available as a lovely, limited edition hardback in early July. It is an enjoyable yet sobering read and will certainly open a few eyes to the Australian BoB experience ... and break a few hearts.

Finally, I'll close with a quick recommendation. Owen Zupp, author of Down To Earth, released his first e-book, 50 Tales Of Flight, earlier this month and it, for want of a better description, has been a runaway success. 50 Tales is currently top of the pile in its genre on Amazon and is firmly into the top 10 in the iTunes biography category. A phenomenal effort whichever way you look at it but completely justified. While many of the stories are beyond the scope of ABR, aviation lies at the very heart of each one and that same joy of, and fascination with, flight experienced and recounted by many WW2 aircrew in their memoirs can be found on every page. An enlightening and uplifting read if ever there was one and to read this book is to understand the meaning of passion. Owen didn't regard this as a biographical work but the reader will certainly soar with him, heart and soul, through many adventures, and inspirations, from his time in aviation ... so far!

Until May, keep reading and exploring. I'll live vicariously through you!

Andy

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Welcome

Welcome to one of my silly ideas. I have been an avid reader of aircrew memoirs from the Second World War for as long as I can remember (not counting the various other interests that I have flitted to over time). I started collecting titles as found on Amazon but in the past few years have concentrated on books about the members of the RAF, FAA and Commonwealth air forces. I still maintain an interest in the operations of the USAAF, USN, Luftwaffe and Japanese forces but, as an Australian, you can probably understand where my heart lies!

Around about 2000, when I started collecting in earnest, I stuggled to find vast amounts of books on the subject. For those of you in the know this is a ridiculous thing to say as there are thousands of titles on the RAF alone.

In the past four or five years I have been fortunate to make some excellent friends in the UK and Australia who have helped broaden my knowledge of what's available and, in some cases, spend my money for me. In doing so, I have also corresponded with and met several authors and gained some insight into what it takes to put a well-researched book together. One of these days I hope to do the same but for the time being writing reviews and the occasional article will see me through as I gather what I need.

I have worked as a journalist in the past and run my own online magazine which was very time consuming and eventually led to another blog which is much easier to maintain. My interest in the aviation of the Second World War began with a school library book on The Battle of Britain when I was nine. Numerous plastic models, museum visits, magazine subscriptions, movies and Commando comics later I branched out into books like Squadron Signal's 'In Action' series (cheap for a teenager) and generalist titles covering certain aircraft. My first memory of a memoir (ha) was an oldish, secondhand copy of Alex Henshaw's superlative Sigh for a Merlin bought at a primary school market - incidentally, still the best Spitfire book I have ever read. I devoured it and although I haven't read it since (early 1990s) I can still vividly remember many of Alex's adventures testing this greatest of aircraft. One of these days I'll read it again.

My time as a journalist proper was short-lived as I had to make some decent money but it followed time as an accountant, truck driver and recruitment researcher. As of March 2010, I have stepped into commercial accounting which is a different kettle of fish and certainly not all spreadsheets and numbers (to be honest, the best job I have ever had).

Throughout my various incarnations I have maintained a fascination for what aircrew experienced during the war. I have been fortunate enough to meet several veterans and have even worked alongside some on a couple of major aircraft restorations down here in Australia. To a man I have found them friendly, modest and, at times, wondering what all the fuss is about. A gross generalisation perhaps but any variance would be understandable considering what they lived through. I know I could certainly not have done what they did in their late teens/early 20s. Fortunately, I have not had the opportunity to prove this otherwise and that's largely because of what these men (and women) sacrificed for what we have today.

Each book is a pleasure to read (even the not-so-great ones) and I try to convey what each is like to read without giving the game away too much. I also endeavour to let you know when or where I bought my copy and where it is available now as I try to review a mix of old and new titles (basically whatever takes my fancy at the time although when review copies come in, these take precedence). Honesty is at the core of everything I write on here so if something doesn't sit right with me or I feel it affects the 'experience' of the book, I will mention it.

Please feel free to recommend titles I may not be aware of or that you think would complement a reviewed title.

Cheers

Andy Wright

28 March 2013

Time off ... again

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