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Rod_Filan · 20 January 2001, 10:28 AM

I too recieved Knights of the Air - Canadian Fighter Pilots in the First World War as a Christmas gift. My dear (and understanding) wife purchased it at Cole's for $50 cdn.

I found it to be the best book on the subject I have yet read. LtCol. David A. Bashow's style and chrological order of events made it a very easy read. His use of first person accounts are facinating and the exploration of cause and effect allows the reader to turn the page with a confidence of full understanding. Additionally, his comprehensive endnotes are invaluable. A resource within a resource.

However, I for one, found the illustrations by Stephen Quick to be static and without the sweeping drama that I have come to appreciate from WWI aviation art. Although the artwork and profiles competently illustrate the descriptions in the text, I really got the impression of amateurism. The Mrs. (a semi-professional artist in her own right) told me she almost passed on purchasing the book because of the artwork, but after being fully absorbed by the reading, I'm very glad she didn't.

Almost all photos are credited to the DND and the NA, which may have a lot to do with LtCol. Bashow's current position as an asssitant professor of history at RMC.

McArthur & Company (Toronto)
ISBN 1-55278-162-3

VBR
Rod
Hey! I wrote a book review! - which may be slightly bias because I AM CANADIAN

20 January 2001, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rod_Filan Forum Ace Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Posts: 2,947	I too recieved Knights of the Air - Canadian Fighter Pilots in the First World War as a Christmas gift. My dear (and understanding) wife purchased it at Cole's for $50 cdn. I found it to be the best book on the subject I have yet read. LtCol. David A. Bashow's style and chrological order of events made it a very easy read. His use of first person accounts are facinating and the exploration of cause and effect allows the reader to turn the page with a confidence of full understanding. Additionally, his comprehensive endnotes are invaluable. A resource within a resource. However, I for one, found the illustrations by Stephen Quick to be static and without the sweeping drama that I have come to appreciate from WWI aviation art. Although the artwork and profiles competently illustrate the descriptions in the text, I really got the impression of amateurism. The Mrs. (a semi-professional artist in her own right) told me she almost passed on purchasing the book because of the artwork, but after being fully absorbed by the reading, I'm very glad she didn't. Almost all photos are credited to the DND and the NA, which may have a lot to do with LtCol. Bashow's current position as an asssitant professor of history at RMC. McArthur & Company (Toronto) ISBN 1-55278-162-3 VBR Rod Hey! I wrote a book review! - which may be slightly bias because I AM CANADIAN __________________ Breguet's Aircraft Challenge Breguet's Crash Files Breguet's Pre-1914 Aircraft Challenge Fliegen ist notwendig. Leben nicht. - Suicide note left by pioneer aviatrix Melli Beese