Recommend (and warn against) books?

For my biography of Vernon Castle, I'm trying to weed out the good books from the bad. Vernon, I've just discovered, provided pre-battle air bombardment before the Battle of the Somme—what are the best (and worst!) books on that?

Also, should I order S. F. Wise's "Canadian Airmen and the First World War: The Official History Of the Royal Canadaian Air Force, Volume One"? Is it any good?

I have Vernon's letters, so I have good "color," but of course his voice alone isn't enough. I have plenty of good sources on the overall war itself: dates, battles, etc. But if you can recommend any good books to give me additional "voices" of pilots and flying instructors, esp. British or Canadian . . .

—Thanks!

[MikeW]

Also, should I order S. F. Wise's "Canadian Airmen and the First World War: The Official History Of the Royal Canadaian Air Force, Volume One"? Is it any good?

This is a huge book and worth every penny. I don't know where you live, but I'm in the UK and found the absolute cheapest supplier was Amazon.CA. Even with the postage it was cheaper than Amazon.co.uk!


Mike

Originally Posted by MikeW

This is a huge book and worth every penny. I don't know where you live, but I'm in the UK and found the absolute cheapest supplier was Amazon.CA. Even with the postage it was cheaper than Amazon.co.uk!


Mike

Thanks—I am waiting to hear back from a bookfinder.com dealer to see if he has it. It's reliable, factwise?

[MikeW]

Thanks—I am waiting to hear back from a bookfinder.com dealer to see if he has it. It's reliable, factwise?

All based on original documents from the UK Public Records Office and material from Canada's Defence Historical Dept. You won't regret getting a copy.

Just checked and its still available new from Amazon.


Mike

[MikeW]

Just checked Wise for Vernon Castle - he gets a mention in a footnote about the Canadian "Camps":

They included Captain Vernon Castle who with his wife Irene had made up a renownwd dance team in prewar years. Castle, who had Western Front experience, commanded a squadron at Camp Mohawk. He was killed in a Texas flying accident in 1918, but his personality, his pet Monkey, and his Stutz Bearcat figured largely in the memories of those who flew at Mohawk in 1917.


Mike

Thanks—I'm sure it will give me a lot of good background material (both facts and "color") for that section of the bio. STILL waiting to hear from that bookfinder seller!

[Taz]

Eve- Abebooks has a copy of the book for $28.

http://www.abebooks.com/

Taz

Originally Posted by Taz

Eve- Abebooks has a copy of the book for $28.

http://www.abebooks.com/

Taz

That's the dealer I'm waiting to hear from.

Any other good books you can recommend on the general subject of pilots and trainers, esp. Brits and Canadians? Is there a good book on the Somme that mentions pre-battle air bombardment?

Any crappy books to warn me against?

[MikeW]

Eve,

there are loads of crappy books but sometimes it's not politically correct to name some of them! And someone will always jump in and disagree

There is a book review section here - look in the upper right hand corner of your screen for a "drop down" listing box - it should say "books" with a "go" button next to it. Drop the list down to "book reviews".


The Official "War In the Air" series available from Naval & Military Press are Imperial War Museum paperback reprints of the original very expensive and hard to find series. Off the top of my head I would guess you need volume 2 or 3, I will check later.


Mike

Originally Posted by MikeW

There is a book review section here - look in the upper right hand corner of your screen for a "drop down" listing box - it should say "books" with a "go" button next to it. Drop the list down to "book reviews".

Thanks—will do!