Aircrew Book Review: amazon

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16 January 2011

Pathfinder Cranswick - Michael Cumming

This is something new for ABR - a digital edition of a book. I'll be the first to admit I very much prefer a hard copy as it adds to the enjoyment of the experience but, particularly in this case, I am very excited at the prospect of an online book.

Squadron Leader Alec Panton Cranswick DSO DFC was shot down on what his log book recorded as his 107th op. A slight man who spent some of his wartime service suffering the effects of malaria, Cranswick flew his first tour with 214 Squadron in 1940. Not wanting to be rested, he volunteered to head to the Middle East. This was successful as he 'book-ended' a role as a ferry pilot in West Africa with a significant number of ops on Wellingtons. He returned to the UK in early 1942 but could not fly due to ill health. It was not until the end of the year that he converted to Halifaxes prior to a short stay with 419 Squadron (a Canadian 6 Group unit). By October 1943, he had been a Pathfinder with 35 Squadron for six months and was due another rest. Taking this reluctantly, his goal to return to operations was achieved in April 1944 when he returned to the PFF squadron. He was killed three months later in early July.

To anyone interested in the remarkable achievements of the aircrew who flew in WW2 - indeed, to anyone fascinated by the indomitable human spirit - the life of this man is one that astounds. I first learned of him when I read Chris Ward's 6 Group Bomber Command (one of the biographical 'snippets' I mention in the review of that book). Subsequent research revealed a book written by a journalist and first published as a hardback in 1962. A condensed second edition appeared in 1963. It was not until 2006 that a revised and updated paperback was released and remained in print until 2009.

Based on the above, you'd think it would be relatively easy and affordable to obtain a copy, wouldn't you? In all of my searches I have only ever been able to turn up copies of the 1960s editions with the first hardback invariably being listed for $100 or more. Pathfinder Cranswick became something of a holy grail for me.

So, imagine my utter glee when it was announced a digital version of the latest print edition would be available through Amazon in the UK and US. I have since been in contact with the author, Michael Cumming, who stumbled upon Cranswick's achievements, or at least a hint of them, when reading Don Bennett's autobiography Pathfinder for a newspaper review. He is delighted to have the book available again and added that a number of the illustrations, through the joys of the digital medium, are now reproduced in colour for the first time. Incidentally, Bennett, in the foreword to PC wrote 'to look back at a boy-man so simply courageous and so selfless is an inspiration both rare and elevating'. Great words from a great leader.

This latest edition is a truly exciting development for what was a previously unobtainable - more or less - and desirable title.

As mentioned above, the book is available through Amazon on their 'Kindle' system. This does not mean you have to have one of those digital 'book readers' as you can download the software to read the book on your PC or laptop (which is what I will be doing). The ease and speed at which this new edition was produced was advantageous for the author who wants to keep the memory of Cranswick's acheievements fresh for today's readers. Considering the exhorbitant costs of self-publishing, this digital publishing game is certainly an enticing option. If embracing (even temporarily!) this 'new' technology means I finally get to experience Cranswick's remarkable story (and Cumming's classic biography) then bring it on. If you're similarly enamored, go for it.

***Sept 23, 2011 - Please note the Kindle edition of Pathfinder Cranswick is no longer available pending the March 2012 release of the 50th anniversary edition (with new material and photographs) by Fighting High Publishing. As exciting and accessible as the Kindle book was, the new print edition promises to bring this absolute classic of Bomber Command literature to a whole new audience (and an existing audience that couldn't afford the older print editions!) and generation. The man who attended the same school as Sir Douglas Bader and Guy Gibson VC deserves to be as equally well remembered.

Pathfinder Cranswick - Fighting High Publishing

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