By: mrtotty
- 8th April 2010 at 13:09Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Right now, I'm reading The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression, by Amity Shales. A very good book, but the first time - as a liberal observer of American politics - that I've read a book endorsed by Newt Gingrich.
Following that, A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House, by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.; a great liberal work.
By: mike currill
- 8th April 2010 at 21:48Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Centurion has to take a rest for a while as I have just borrowed Armed Action by James Newton from a colleague and want to finish it by a week tomorrow night when I see him again.
By: J Boyle
- 16th April 2010 at 20:43Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
James Stewart - Bomber Pilot.
Even more so than the celebrity part, it gives a good account of the way USAAF bomber groups and crews were formed and trained.
I've found that there are plenty of books about planes and missions, fewer about the behind the scenes work that made the missions possible.
Lots of nice detail about the 2nd AD as Stewart works his way from pilot to squadron commander, to operations officer to HQ staff. Keep in mind Stewart earned his posts, he enlisted before Pearl Harbor when he already had a civil license, then was assigned as a B-17 IP so he had a lot of experience before going overseas. It's said he also had a good rapport with the crews, a natural leader, soft spoken but very professional.
By: BSG-75
- 16th April 2010 at 21:01Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Phoenix Squadron
Its a slow read (IMO) as its a lot of background on RN carrier ops in the late 60's and into the 70's but worth a look. Interesting statement that the FAA scored the first and last air to air kills of WW2 (Skuas Sept 1939, Seafires over Japan August 1945).
By: Blue_2
- 17th April 2010 at 08:31Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Tattered Battlements by 'A Fighter Pilot'- it's a fighter pilot's account of the air battle for Malta. Just found my copy again so though it deserved another read. The book was printed July '43!
By: Blue_2
- 17th April 2010 at 15:04Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Mine's definately the early version. I love the way it proudly proclaims it is "produced in complete conformity with authorised book production war economy standards".
Doing well for a nearly 70-year old book...
Would be interesting to get the later version too...
By: bazv
- 18th April 2010 at 09:56Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes I have 'soaring flight' by Terence Horsley - published 1944.Austerity quality but in very nice nick for its age.
some lovely photos of classic gliding...
inc some real winch launching :rolleyes:
I did a lot of winch driving 1970- '94 but I would never have driven those 2 winches LOL
Posts: 18
By: F.U.B.A.R.ed - 7th April 2010 at 20:30 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Murder of Rudolf Hess by Hugh Thomas
A very good read that certainly gives compelling evidence that the prisoner held in Spandau may not have been Hess at all.
Regards
Posts: 1,059
By: mrtotty - 8th April 2010 at 13:09 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Right now, I'm reading The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression, by Amity Shales. A very good book, but the first time - as a liberal observer of American politics - that I've read a book endorsed by Newt Gingrich.
Following that, A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House, by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.; a great liberal work.
Posts: 1,751
By: Bruggen 130 - 8th April 2010 at 14:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just started "Hostile Skies" by Dave Morgan.
Posts: 5,339
By: Flygirl - 8th April 2010 at 16:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Charlie Brooker The Hell Of It All. ;)
Posts: 18,359
By: DazDaMan - 8th April 2010 at 16:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Perfect Confidence - Kelly Marks.
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 8th April 2010 at 18:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Centurion by Simon Scarrow.
Posts: 52
By: REDBIRD - 8th April 2010 at 20:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Skyhook by John J Nance
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 8th April 2010 at 21:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Centurion has to take a rest for a while as I have just borrowed Armed Action by James Newton from a colleague and want to finish it by a week tomorrow night when I see him again.
Posts: 701
By: Tony at BH - 8th April 2010 at 21:52 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I am reading all about Hurricane R4119 that was found in India, brought back to UK and is now flying again.
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 8th April 2010 at 21:54 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I think you mean R4118
Posts: 701
By: Tony at BH - 8th April 2010 at 21:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Oh yes. My finger slipped. Thanks.
Posts: 2,828
By: EGTC - 16th April 2010 at 20:06 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Captain Burkills '30 seconds to impact' book arrived yesterday so i'm currently reading that :)
Posts: 9,871
By: J Boyle - 16th April 2010 at 20:43 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
James Stewart - Bomber Pilot.
Even more so than the celebrity part, it gives a good account of the way USAAF bomber groups and crews were formed and trained.
I've found that there are plenty of books about planes and missions, fewer about the behind the scenes work that made the missions possible.
Lots of nice detail about the 2nd AD as Stewart works his way from pilot to squadron commander, to operations officer to HQ staff. Keep in mind Stewart earned his posts, he enlisted before Pearl Harbor when he already had a civil license, then was assigned as a B-17 IP so he had a lot of experience before going overseas. It's said he also had a good rapport with the crews, a natural leader, soft spoken but very professional.
Posts: 495
By: Larry66 - 16th April 2010 at 20:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Planet of Exile, my first Ursula K LeGuin read!
Posts: 2,820
By: BSG-75 - 16th April 2010 at 21:01 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Phoenix Squadron
Its a slow read (IMO) as its a lot of background on RN carrier ops in the late 60's and into the 70's but worth a look. Interesting statement that the FAA scored the first and last air to air kills of WW2 (Skuas Sept 1939, Seafires over Japan August 1945).
Posts: 8,505
By: mike currill - 17th April 2010 at 07:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Just loaned that to the colleague I borrowed Armed Action from. I'm now back to reading Centurion alongside Immediate Response by Maj Mark Hammond RM.
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 17th April 2010 at 08:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Tattered Battlements by 'A Fighter Pilot'- it's a fighter pilot's account of the air battle for Malta. Just found my copy again so though it deserved another read. The book was printed July '43!
Posts: 6,051
By: bazv - 17th April 2010 at 10:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Tattered Battlements was I think written by Tim Johnston and subsequently updated to include the later war years.
Posts: 5,088
By: Blue_2 - 17th April 2010 at 15:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Mine's definately the early version. I love the way it proudly proclaims it is "produced in complete conformity with authorised book production war economy standards".
Doing well for a nearly 70-year old book...
Would be interesting to get the later version too...
Posts: 6,051
By: bazv - 18th April 2010 at 09:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes I have 'soaring flight' by Terence Horsley - published 1944.Austerity quality but in very nice nick for its age.
some lovely photos of classic gliding...
inc some real winch launching :rolleyes:
I did a lot of winch driving 1970- '94 but I would never have driven those 2 winches LOL