By: bazv
- 19th April 2016 at 10:17Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just been re reading 'Adventures in Aviation' by Kimball J Scribner
- He certainly had an unusual career,teaching himself to fly to solo in a cub at 16,became an airshow parachutist at 16 and developing a steerable canopy after breaking a car windscreen with his ribs at an airshow.He became a flying instructor before joining Pan American in 1941 - he eventually became chief pilot !
He was always a keen aerobatic pilot and at one time owned a P38 which he displayed,he was a keen glider pilot and flew large flying boats such as Coronado and Boeing 314 during WW2 :)
By: bazv
- 1st May 2016 at 08:43Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Currently re reading 'Fifty Two years in the cockpit' by 'Jacko' Jackson - Bk 1 and 2
Halfway through 2nd book and he has progressed from Halton Apprentice to Belslow Captain (via a great many aircraft types)
Jacko was a real Gent,and no where near as scary as he looked in later years :)
By: J Boyle
- 3rd May 2016 at 06:24Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hunting Eichmann by Neal Bascome...The story of how the Mosad (with help) found and abducted the infamous Nazi from Argentina in 1961.
It's a newer book so has previously unknown details.
It also serves as a biography of Eichmann and as such should remind people of how the Jews suffered not that long ago...something that too many are all too willing to forget today.
By: 1batfastard
- 5th May 2016 at 17:46Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just started 'Stephen King's - The Tommy Knockers' 1988 edition. While walking in the woods near the small town of Haven, Maine, Roberta (Bobbi) Anderson, a writer of Wild West-themed fiction, stumbles upon a metal object that turns out to be a protrusion of a long-buried alien spacecraft. Once exposed, the spacecraft begins to release an invisible gas into the atmosphere that gradually transforms people into beings similar to the aliens who populated the ship. The transformation, or "becoming," provides them with a limited form of genius which makes them very inventive but does not provide any philosophical or ethical insight into their inventions. The spacecraft also prevents those affected by it from leaving town, provokes psychotic violence in some people, and causes the disappearance of a young boy, David Brown, whose older brother Hilly teleports him to the planet referred to as Altair 4 by the Havenites.
Three books in one but I enjoyed it over 500 pages....:eagerness:
By: 1batfastard
- 30th June 2016 at 18:21Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
I am just starting M-Mother by Jenny Elmes the story of Dambuster Flt-Lt John Hoppy Hopgood.....:cool:
John Hopgood was one of the pilots of the 19 Lancaster bombers that took part in the Dambusters raid of May 1943. Wounded by flak and with his aircraft falling apart, "Hoppy" managed to gain height for two of his crew to parachute to safety. The plane crashed moments later, killing John and another two crew members still on board. Incredibly, at just 21 years of age, "Hoppy" was a veteran of 48 missions and 2nd in command of the raid—he actually taught Guy Gibson the finer points of flying a Lancaster! John's niece Jenny Elmes has put together the story from his diary and voluminous correspondence with her mother and his sister, Betty, and with his other sister Marna, who was in ATC.
By: 1batfastard
- 16th July 2016 at 19:39Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Two chapters into 'Douglas Termans - First Strike' At an underground factory in Siberia, the Russians have made a replica of a U.S. Navy warhead. Soviet military planners review their ability to survive all-out nuclear war. The KGB selects as its target for high-level political subversion a vulnerable U.S. senator with presidential ambitions.
By: Mr Creosote
- 23rd July 2016 at 20:26Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
"Crying with Laughter" the autobiography of Bob Monkhouse. Bit of on odd one for me, because I didn't really like him as an entertainer. Thought some of his stuff was rather clever and he was undoubtedly a master of his craft, but the style was always a bit too slick for my taste. But after seeing a documentary on telly about him recently I realised there was much more to him than I ever knew. Beautifully written book, witty, insightful, and shockingly candid and frank at times.
By: 1batfastard
- 7th August 2016 at 16:14Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just starting 'The Sharp End Of The War' by John Ellis accounts from the fighting men of their training,living,fighting and ultimately death in all that life and the environment throws at them in all theatres of combat around the globe..............:cool:
By: Larry66
- 7th August 2016 at 17:23Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Eight Black Horses by Ed Mcbain
New
By: Anonymous
- 8th August 2016 at 01:50Permalink- Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36
How about including pictures of our libraries? One of my future plans is to convert a room into a classic style library in which all my books are kept. Just as an example http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=home%20library&FORM=BILH1 (I am nowhere near my family house where my books are so it will be a while before I can take a pic)
By: 1batfastard
- 18th August 2016 at 07:27Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just started 'Winter Ghosts by Kate Moss', By turns thrilling, poignant and haunting, this is a story of two lives touched by war and transformed by courage.
The Great War took much more than lives.It robbed a generation of friends, lovers and futures. In Freddie Watson's case, it took his beloved brother and, at times, his peace of mind. Unable to cope with his grief, Freddie has spent much of the time since in a sanatorium. In the winter of 1928, still seeking resolution, Freddie is travelling through the French Pyrenees - another region that has seen too much bloodshed over the years. During a snowstorm, his car spins off the mountain road. Shaken, he stumbles into the woods, emerging by a tiny village.
There he meets Fabrissa, a beautiful local woman, also mourning a lost generation. Over the course of one night, Fabrissa and Freddie share their stories of remembrance and loss. By the time dawn breaks, he will have stumbled across a tragic mystery that goes back through the centuries. By turns thrilling, poignant and haunting, this is a story of two lives touched by war and transformed by courage.
Posts: 8,464
By: Bruce - 16th April 2016 at 20:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Leave me out of this John. I know which side I am on. No fences for me.
Posts: 6,043
By: bazv - 19th April 2016 at 10:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just been re reading 'Adventures in Aviation' by Kimball J Scribner
- He certainly had an unusual career,teaching himself to fly to solo in a cub at 16,became an airshow parachutist at 16 and developing a steerable canopy after breaking a car windscreen with his ribs at an airshow.He became a flying instructor before joining Pan American in 1941 - he eventually became chief pilot !
He was always a keen aerobatic pilot and at one time owned a P38 which he displayed,he was a keen glider pilot and flew large flying boats such as Coronado and Boeing 314 during WW2 :)
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 27th April 2016 at 16:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Two chapters into ' Irish Sagas & Folk Tales by Eileen O'Faolain. A collection of classic tales from the folklore of Ireland.......;)
Geoff.
Posts: 6,043
By: bazv - 1st May 2016 at 08:43 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Currently re reading 'Fifty Two years in the cockpit' by 'Jacko' Jackson - Bk 1 and 2
Halfway through 2nd book and he has progressed from Halton Apprentice to Belslow Captain (via a great many aircraft types)
Jacko was a real Gent,and no where near as scary as he looked in later years :)
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 3rd May 2016 at 05:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Paul Cartledge's Democracy. Dense and heavy going in parts but extremely interesting.
Posts: 9,821
By: J Boyle - 3rd May 2016 at 06:24 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hunting Eichmann by Neal Bascome...The story of how the Mosad (with help) found and abducted the infamous Nazi from Argentina in 1961.
It's a newer book so has previously unknown details.
It also serves as a biography of Eichmann and as such should remind people of how the Jews suffered not that long ago...something that too many are all too willing to forget today.
Posts: 11,141
By: charliehunt - 3rd May 2016 at 07:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Do you really believe those last eleven words? I would have thought that we are never allowed to forget it from one month to the next.
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 5th May 2016 at 17:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just started 'Stephen King's - The Tommy Knockers' 1988 edition. While walking in the woods near the small town of Haven, Maine, Roberta (Bobbi) Anderson, a writer of Wild West-themed fiction, stumbles upon a metal object that turns out to be a protrusion of a long-buried alien spacecraft. Once exposed, the spacecraft begins to release an invisible gas into the atmosphere that gradually transforms people into beings similar to the aliens who populated the ship. The transformation, or "becoming," provides them with a limited form of genius which makes them very inventive but does not provide any philosophical or ethical insight into their inventions. The spacecraft also prevents those affected by it from leaving town, provokes psychotic violence in some people, and causes the disappearance of a young boy, David Brown, whose older brother Hilly teleports him to the planet referred to as Altair 4 by the Havenites.
Three books in one but I enjoyed it over 500 pages....:eagerness:
Geoff.
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 30th June 2016 at 18:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
I am just starting M-Mother by Jenny Elmes the story of Dambuster Flt-Lt John Hoppy Hopgood.....:cool:
John Hopgood was one of the pilots of the 19 Lancaster bombers that took part in the Dambusters raid of May 1943. Wounded by flak and with his aircraft falling apart, "Hoppy" managed to gain height for two of his crew to parachute to safety. The plane crashed moments later, killing John and another two crew members still on board. Incredibly, at just 21 years of age, "Hoppy" was a veteran of 48 missions and 2nd in command of the raid—he actually taught Guy Gibson the finer points of flying a Lancaster! John's niece Jenny Elmes has put together the story from his diary and voluminous correspondence with her mother and his sister, Betty, and with his other sister Marna, who was in ATC.
Geoff.
Posts: 21
By: argonautluk - 7th July 2016 at 07:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I am readin the novel of Ahmet Umit. "A Momento From İstanbul."
Posts: 83
By: Nostalgair - 11th July 2016 at 00:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Does proof-reading for the 20th time count?:) 'Without Precedent'
[ATTACH=CONFIG]246976[/ATTACH]
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 16th July 2016 at 19:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Two chapters into 'Douglas Termans - First Strike' At an underground factory in Siberia, the Russians have made a replica of a U.S. Navy warhead. Soviet military planners review their ability to survive all-out nuclear war. The KGB selects as its target for high-level political subversion a vulnerable U.S. senator with presidential ambitions.
Geoff.
Posts: 1,376
By: Mr Creosote - 23rd July 2016 at 20:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
"Crying with Laughter" the autobiography of Bob Monkhouse. Bit of on odd one for me, because I didn't really like him as an entertainer. Thought some of his stuff was rather clever and he was undoubtedly a master of his craft, but the style was always a bit too slick for my taste. But after seeing a documentary on telly about him recently I realised there was much more to him than I ever knew. Beautifully written book, witty, insightful, and shockingly candid and frank at times.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247188[/ATTACH]
Posts: 495
By: Larry66 - 1st August 2016 at 12:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Nearly finished Star Trek-Devils Bargain by Tony Daniel featuring Kirk and co
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 7th August 2016 at 16:14 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just starting 'The Sharp End Of The War' by John Ellis accounts from the fighting men of their training,living,fighting and ultimately death in all that life and the environment throws at them in all theatres of combat around the globe..............:cool:
Geoff.
Posts: 495
By: Larry66 - 7th August 2016 at 17:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Eight Black Horses by Ed Mcbain
By: Anonymous - 8th August 2016 at 01:50 Permalink - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36
How about including pictures of our libraries? One of my future plans is to convert a room into a classic style library in which all my books are kept. Just as an example http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=home%20library&FORM=BILH1 (I am nowhere near my family house where my books are so it will be a while before I can take a pic)
Posts: 495
By: Larry66 - 8th August 2016 at 09:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Am also making my way through this. Great stuff!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247439[/ATTACH]
By: Anonymous - 9th August 2016 at 03:50 Permalink - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36
[ATTACH=CONFIG]247452[/ATTACH]
Posts: 3,650
By: 1batfastard - 18th August 2016 at 07:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi All,
Just started 'Winter Ghosts by Kate Moss', By turns thrilling, poignant and haunting, this is a story of two lives touched by war and transformed by courage.
The Great War took much more than lives.It robbed a generation of friends, lovers and futures. In Freddie Watson's case, it took his beloved brother and, at times, his peace of mind. Unable to cope with his grief, Freddie has spent much of the time since in a sanatorium. In the winter of 1928, still seeking resolution, Freddie is travelling through the French Pyrenees - another region that has seen too much bloodshed over the years. During a snowstorm, his car spins off the mountain road. Shaken, he stumbles into the woods, emerging by a tiny village.
There he meets Fabrissa, a beautiful local woman, also mourning a lost generation. Over the course of one night, Fabrissa and Freddie share their stories of remembrance and loss. By the time dawn breaks, he will have stumbled across a tragic mystery that goes back through the centuries. By turns thrilling, poignant and haunting, this is a story of two lives touched by war and transformed by courage.
Geoff.