What are you reading now ?

[Kevin Farnell]

Following on from the very successful 'What are you listening to now?' thread, I thought I'd add a similar link regarding literature.

I'm just finishing 'Into the Black', by Rowland White. This is an incredibly detailed review of the development and first launch of the Space Shuttle 'STS1'. The level of research is outstanding!
Rowland White also wrote 'Vulcan 607' (the incredible story of the bombing of the Port Stanley runway during the Falklands conflict), which has always been my favourite book.
I highly recommend both publications. Just beware of reading them at bedtime! I guarantee that you'll still be reading when your alarm goes off.

If you've read a good book, please add details below.

[Edit] - I've taken out the 'aviation related' term from the last sentence, as there are many excellent books outside of this category.

Kevin

 

[wolfheze]

Have just started a book entitled 'air battle for Arnhem' which tells the story of the RAFs 46/38 groups, tasked with carrying paratroopers , towing gliders and flying subsequent resupply missions during operation Market Garden, the ambitious attempt to take and hold a number of bridge's in Holland to enable ground forces spearheaded by an armoured division to cross, enter Germany and bring about the early end of WW2 in Europe . The operation ultimately failed for a number of reasons and while the heroic efforts of 1st airborne division are well documented the equally brave actions of the aircrew involved has often been overlooked . This book tries to redress the balance .

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm an avid reader and am usually reading two or three books at a time.

Currently my library books are:

Montgomery (Lessons in leadership from the soldier's general): Trevor Royle

The Sinking of the Lusitania (the latest book on the subject that I've borrowed): Patrick O'Sullivan

Flying To The Sun (A history of Britain's holiday airlines): Charles Woodley

Back In Blighty (the latest book on the WW1 home front that I've borrowed): Gerard DeGroot

Voices From Jutland, A Centenary Commemoration (the only major naval battle of WW1 occurred in 1916 off Jutland): Jim Crossley

Extreme Prey* (the latest book about a fictional Minnesota detective): John Sandford

* I've read several others in this series, all ending with the word 'Prey'.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Have just started a book entitled 'air battle for Arnhem' which tells the story of the RAFs 46/38 groups, tasked with carrying paratroopers , towing gliders and flying subsequent resupply missions during operation Market Garden, the ambitious attempt to take and hold a number of bridge's in Holland to enable ground forces spearheaded by an armoured division to cross, enter Germany and bring about the early end of WW2 in Europe . The operation ultimately failed for a number of reasons and while the heroic efforts of 1st airborne division are well documented the equally brave actions of the aircrew involved has often been overlooked . This book tries to redress the balance .

I'm an avid reader and am usually reading two or three books at a time.

Currently my library books are:

Montgomery (Lessons in leadership from the soldier's general): Trevor Royle

The Sinking of the Lusitania (the latest book on the subject that I've borrowed): Patrick O'Sullivan

Flying To The Sun (A history of Britain's holiday airlines): Charles Woodley

Back In Blighty (the latest book on the WW1 home front that I've borrowed): Gerard DeGroot

Voices From Jutland, A Centenary Commemoration (the only major naval battle of WW1 occurred in 1916 off Jutland): Jim Crossley

Extreme Prey* (the latest book about a fictional Minnesota detective): John Sandford

* I've read several others in this series, all ending with the word 'Prey'.

Thank you, Gentlemen! That gives me a lot of scope, in searching for my next read.

Regards

Kevin

 

[wolfheze]

A short video of the dedication service at a place called Paulton (down the local yokels way ) where a horsa glider crashed on the 17th of September 1944 with the loss of the 2 pilots and 21 royal engineers. They were the first allied casualties of operation Market Garden .

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Paulton is large village/small town of around 5,000 inhabitants and is less than ten miles from where I live - it's south of Bristol and south-west of Bath in the old Somerset coalfield and is a former mining centre. The service was a poignant occasion.

Operation Market Garden was beset by poor management and over-ambitious planning. The major feature film of 1977 A Bridge Too Far aptly summed up the result.

A few years ago my wife and I visited Arnhem and went to the bridge over the Rhine that played such a part in the final elements of the operation. It isn't the same bridge that was in place in 1944, but the current bridge is named the John Frost Bridge after Lt Colonel (later Major-General) John Frost who was in command of the troops who heroically but ultimately failed to secure the bridge.

Local schoolchildren still lay fresh flowers on the site in memory of those who perished.

 

[wolfheze]

I have been to Arnhem and Oosterbeek many times. Will be back there this September for the comemmorations after a break of a couple of years . I love everything about the place, the history, the countryside around the LZs and DZs and the Dutch people who are so welcoming especially to the last few remaining veterans.

 

[Ray Finkle]

The last book that I read was A Line in the Sand: Britain, France and the struggle that shaped the Middle East by James Barr.

Quite intriguing and a bit of an eye opener.

I'm just finishing 'Into the Black', by Rowland White. This is an incredibly detailed review of the development and first launch of the Space Shuttle 'STS1'. The level of research is outstanding!

Thank you. I will be ordering this tomorrow

 

[thunderchild]

Ashamedly I don't read much and it's something I must change; I enjoyed the Dan Brown novels and things like Gone Girl and The Girl On The Train so if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

 

[Aviador]

I'm not a huge reader because I never seem to have time but I've got a book sat on the bedside drawer waiting to be read called Soldier Spy by Tom Marcus. It's basically about a former secret agent. The book was approved by the top boffin before it was released just before Christmas. If I ever get around to reading it I'll let you know what it's like.

 

[wolfheze]

just got hold of a copy of a book I originally bought at Heathrow in 1977. A description of each airlines livery is accompanied by an illustration and a photograph of the real aircraft .

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'm just finishing 'Into the Black', by Rowland White. This is an incredibly detailed review of the development and first launch of the Space Shuttle 'STS1'. The level of research is outstanding!

I finally have my copy of this, I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I just need to find the time now.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I finally have my copy of this, I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I just need to find the time now.

You're off on Hols soon aren't you? A good book, a cold beer and some sunshine

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

You're off on Hols soon aren't you? A good book, a cold beer and some sunshine

Kevin

I may grab a few seconds here and there in between "Daddy, come and build a sandcastle with me"....... "Daddy, will you come in the sea with me"....... "Daddy, can we play football".......

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I may grab a few seconds here and there in between "Daddy, come and build a sandcastle with me"....... "Daddy, will you come in the sea with me"....... "Daddy, can we play football".......

Hi Ray

Did you ever get started with the book?

Kevin

 

[Ray Finkle]

Did you ever get started with the book?

Hey

It has moved from my sideboard into the bookcase, once in there it could be years before it sees the light of day

I do intend to start it soon

 

[JENNYJET]

My reading is rather heavy, yes it is Law stuff, currently a textbook on US Constitution and how life in America is dominated by that document.

I cannot be bothered with fiction. However, I found books authored by Gerald Sharp to be intensely funny and Arthur C. Clark of course is mind altering!

 

[Poshgirl]

Nothing at the moment, as I've just finished a pile of Airliner World back issues from a house clearance.

Used to read on holiday. A chick-lit if only a week; something more serious if a fortnight. Rules of Engagement by Tim Collins one year (him of unscripted troop address during Iraq war).

Have some aviation related books, a few well-thumbed. Sully's "Highest Duty" will fall apart soon. QF32 by Richard de Crespigny another good read although I had to put it down a couple of times. Human capabilities made me quite emotional....

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Arthur C. Clark of course is mind altering!

I'm currently reading a collection of Arthur C. Clarke's short stories. I've just read 'Time's Arrow', which has quite a twist at the end. I've read so many of his full novels too. Excellent!

Kevin

 

[JENNYJET]

Why is it not possible to preserve the essence of the mind? I have a basic understanding of the human condition but I suspect religion is a blocking force.