Barker VC bio out in paperback

[Wayne Ralph]

BARKER VC, the story of ace William Barker, published by Grub St, London, is now out in paperback for $18.95 - more than 7,500 sold in hardcover in 1997-98 - now out of print. Amazon.com;Barnesandnoble.com; and other Web and real bookstores have the new edition - search by author name, or "barker vc", for more information.

[Barrett]

Wayne:
What's your next book and when might it be available?
PLEEZE don't say there isn't another one!

[Wayne Ralph]

Dear Mr. Tillman,

I am in the early research stage of a manuscript about the post-WWII history of Claire Chennault's CAT, and its evolution into Air America. The links between Chennault's AVG and 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, and how his post-war airline became part of the Central Intelligence Agency, is an untold story, and one that still echoes down to the present day.

I have interviewed an ex-Air America executive, and two ex-Flying Tigers of Chinese-Canadian origin, Cedric and Albert Mah, brothers who learned to fly in Los Angeles in the 1930s, were turned down by the RCAF because they were Chinese, and ended up working in China, 1943-49.

The book is three years away from publication right now. As for World War One, nothing planned right now, but I have been asked by several historians to undertake a complete biography on Billy Bishop, VC. Understandably, the latter task would be a thankless one, but might be a best-seller. Not motivated to do his story right now, but maybe someday...

Thanks so much for your kind inquiry.

Regards from Wayne Ralph, author, BARKER VC

[Barrett]

Wayne: About 15 years ago in Phoenix, AZ, I got to know a gent who had gone to China with Col. Jouett's (sp?) USAAC mission. It somewhat overlapped the Chennault pre-AVG era, and Mr. Spencer's comments were always fascinating. The thing that most amazed me was the extent of contact he had with Japanese military, largely naval officers. The comment that sticks in my mind from one IJN officer was something like, "The army runs our country but it does not see the rest of the world like we do so it does not know what is out there!" Prophetic words in light of Yamamoto's later comments about rousing sleeping giants.

[Billy_Bishop]

Dear Mr. Ralph, I can assure of at least 10 people I know of who would appreciate your efforts on a Bishop bio. And from some of the correspondence I've received on my web site, probably a whole lot more than that.

As it is, I shall content myself with the paperback version of "Barker VC" and await with much anticipation, your next publication.

VBR,

Al Lowe
http://www.billybishop.net

I read the book Barker and let me tell you, it is fantastic. Wonderfully researched and written, make syou really feel the times, the air war, the man.