"The First of the Few"

["Junior"]

"The First of the Few: Fighter Pilots of the First World War" by Denis Winter. Supposedly a "study of the ordinary fighter pilot from enlistment to demobilisation". Also I think it's a bit of an oldie as well. Anybody seen, read this? If so what's the verdict, worthwhile or only good for stopping the kitchen table wobbling?

Junior.

[saruffin]

In my opinion, an outstanding book, simply because it looks a little more indepth behind the scenes, and more specifically into the hardships endured by the pilots (the physical and psychological strain).

I've read one or two critical comments about this book, and I can't vouch for its complete accuracy in all areas, but overall, it seems to be right on the mark. Its greatest strength is that it delves into pertinent and interesting areas that the standard books on WWI aviation have tended to ignore.

Denis Winter also wrote a book called "Death's Men: Soldiers of the Great War," which I really enjoyed. Similar to "The First of the Few," it zeroes in on the war from the soldier's perspective. My advice: Read them both--you won't be disappointed.

Steve

[NeilE]

Originally posted by "Junior"@Aug 10 2004, 07:44 AM
[b] "The First of the Few: Fighter Pilots of the First World War" by Denis Winter. Supposedly a "study of the ordinary fighter pilot from enlistment to demobilisation". Also I think it's a bit of an oldie as well. Anybody seen, read this? If so what's the verdict, worthwhile or only good for stopping the kitchen table wobbling?

Junior.

Hi Junior;

I have read "First of The Few" and found it unsatisfying, particularly in comparison with his previous work, "Death's Men". Winter is a social historian of the first order, using oral, written and memoir sources to build a social picture of life in the services. This works very well in "Death's Men" (which I strongly recommend) but in "First of The Few", which was sort of a quickie follow up to "Death's Men", it doesn't work so well.

In Death's Men, Winter displays a depth of research and command of his subject matter resulting in a strong work of social history. In "First of The Few" this depth is lacking. One flaw is that, due to a lack of research, he shows a lack of depth of knowledge of his subject that lead him to trot out certain fallacies of First World War aviation, and, in my copy at least, uses one of the famous fake dogfight photographs as if it were real (though this could be his editors fault).

A second flaw is that he just doesn't have the quality and range of sources he would have needed in "First of The Few" to make it as comprehensive as "Death's Men". For Death's Men, Winter had direct interviews, IWM unpublished memoirs and letters, other written sources, and published memoirs. For First of The Few, he mainly uses published memoirs for his sources. Thus he fails by the weakness of his sources.

However, as a piece of social history, it is perhaps has a better use than proping up a table leg (use Arch Whitehouse for that). I think however that a book like "No parachute" by Arthur Gould Lee, would give you a richer view of the life of a RFC pilot than Winter does.

If you do want to read something by Denis Winter, go for "Death's Men" it is far, far superior.

All the Best

Neil

[Barrett]

I read it years ago; generally good treatment but, as noted here, lacking in depth at various spots. While most such combat studies delve into death and fear of same, few give anywhere as much treatment to killing and fear/enthusasm for same. In that regard, LCOL Dave Grossman's "On Killing" is likely by far the best.

There's a PC aversion to admitting that some humans relish killing, either for the rush, the perks, or whatever. Grossman missed one salient point, however, in accepting that few fighter pilots score kills because of some innate reluctance to shoot. Far from it, of course: the large majority WANT a scalp on their belt. But relatively few get the chance or have the ability/luck to capitalize on it.

["Junior"]

Thanks for the opinions!

I can get this on the cheap so I might just pick it up. However I'll be careful then not to take everything as gospel.

"Death's Men" sounds like it's a ripper so I'll have to cast an eye out for that as well.

And Neil, "No Parachute" is a cracker! Gould's writing style is quite superb

Junior.

One thing I can add on the favourable side of "First..."

At least there are source notes!!! I get SO tired of buying books and reading the same old passed down "facts" yet never are they documented where the sources are!

I have found this book useful as a research tool for clues on sources, and it is better than some out there as far as text as well.

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Scarlett

["Junior"]

Hi Scarlett!

I've decided to pick it up as I can get it for a good price.

It also annoys me when you get a book with no footnotes, especially when it's something that interests you and you want to follow up further. Damn annoying

I'll post what I think when I receive the tome.

Junior.

PS - Hope you're looking after that famous Nieuport fabric Scarlett

RE: Nieuport fabric

You bet, Junior! I'm working on the article, it should be in the November issue of WWI Aero and C&C as well.

Cheers,
Scarlett

["Junior"]

I'll keep my peepers peeled for it come November!

Good luck with it Scarlett

Junior.