New Kilduff book

FliegerJG1 · 25 February 2004, 04:49 AM

Dear Forumites,

Last year, "Talking with the Red Baron: 'Interviews' with

Manfred von Richthofen" by Peter Kilduff was released. I haven't yet seen any reviews of it.

Has anyone here read the book? I got it and read it but found that for me, it didn't seem to offer anything new. But that's just me. I'd be interested in hearing any comments pro or con on this new book.

Being a newer forum member, I find I am learing so much from the exchange of ideas here. It's really helping my appreciation of WW1 aviation. Thank you all!

FliegerJG1

Pmacko · 25 February 2004, 08:21 AM

I just finished the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's style and format was new (to me) and it read very well. I understand that anything new might not be there for the avid WW1 historian, but it did made the baron more accessible as a human being than as a legend. And that may help with getting the general public to look further in the history of this exciting period and see what we all see.

I highly recommend it.

StephenLawson · 2 March 2004, 07:59 PM

I have it out in the garage under a table leg thats too short. I bet it makes a great door stop too.

Shooter · 3 March 2004, 12:48 AM

I do not agree with Stephen Lawson without reservation very often, but this time I can find no fault. He certainly found the proper place in his library for Kilduff.

Shooter sends

Pmacko · 4 March 2004, 04:03 PM

Well...I must be either really stupid or easily entertained.

Shooter · 5 March 2004, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pmacko@Mar 4 2004, 08:03 PM
[b] Well...I must be either really stupid or easily entertained.

I hesitate to make either assumption, Mack. My point, and I believe the same of Stephen Lawson, is that the work is fluff, with the at best same historical value found in any other work of fiction--and possibly much less.

I enjoy some novels (it is no more than a novel) about

the Great War in the air, but to rely heavily on one for information is risky.

This one, I am afraid, is like cotton candy...all taste, no substance. But by all means, enjoy it. I am convinced that there is indeed no accounting for taste. What you enjoy when you read does not reflect in one's personality for any purpose.

Shooter sends

Alan · 5 March 2004, 04:17 AM

But if it gets just one person interested in WWI aviation that otherwise might not have, what's it's value?

Conversely, what if it convinces that same person that WWI aviation is worthless to study.

I think the former more likely than the latter.

I only offer that because Kilduff was the first author I read when I started this journey.

I've e-mailed him and got a cold response in return.

I've e-mailed others of the WWI ilk and have gotten nothing but support and encouragement in my studies....

It does say something about individuality, though, doesn't it?

I'm not in a rush to buy Kilduff because his response to my question on the Girl from Berlin was to buy one of his books.

The response from our own Greg VanWyngarden was to help me in a way that was so totally unexpected and generous that I can only hope to repay one day in kind.

But whose books do you think I desire to buy now?

Shooter · 5 March 2004, 04:50 AM

No argument, Alan and I agree. I ain't saying the work has absolutely no value as much as I meant to say that it has minimal historical content value.

For me, I also disparage it's literary value but that is purely a subjective evaluation...no accounting for taste, remember?

Shooter sends

Pmacko · 5 March 2004, 06:02 AM

Thanks for the open discussion guys...it does read like a novel and is a great story based around a historical context. I haven't read enough on the baron to know about the accuracy but I did enjoy it and recommend it to folks new to our field of interest.

Now where is my copy of Buck Rogers...I'm also a space travel historian B)

FliegerJG1 · 7 March 2004, 05:23 PM

My appreciation to all above for the discussion of the Red Baron book!

Although a disappointing work to the serious reader, I believe that it might find a place with those who are new to aviation history looking for an easy read. My first book was Kilduff's translation of Der Rote Kampfflieger. So, if anything, I hope that it may at least hook some new readers and lead them to much better materials.

I'm looking at the back flap of the dust jacket now note that is states "Blue Max Airmen: Germany's Pour le Merite Flyers" is also in preparation by Mr. Kilduff. If he has uncovered anything new, I hope that it will be appearing in print...no more "interviews" books.

FliegerJG1