Aces Books

Manfred · 4 January 2006, 09:27 PM

Did any of you read any of the books written by WWI aces? I read Ace of Aces by

Rene Fonck (which was really good), and also the book by Manfred von Richtofen (i can't remember the name, something like the Red Baron or the Red Fighter Pilot) which was really good and funny. Did you read any?

Billy_Bishop · 5 January 2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renefonck

Did any of you read any of the books written by WWI aces? I read Ace of Aces by

Rene Fonck (which was really good), and also the book by Manfred von Richtofen (i can't remember the name, something like the Red Baron or the Red Fighter Pilot) which was really good and funny. Did you read any?

I've read a few, I don't recall all of them. But for the most part, I liked all that I read.

TomVrille · 5 January 2006, 07:59 PM

This thread probably should be in the "Books" forum, but if you are looking for a few recommendations, I offer my two cents worth:

1¢ Most enjoyable read - Horses Don't Fly by

Frederick Libby

2¢ Best description of air war on the Western Front - No Parachute by

Arthur Gould Lee

Happy musing!!

Manfred · 5 January 2006, 08:20 PM

I got both books from the internet, and printed them. Also I would NOT recommend

Ernst Udet's book. It's really long..................

RAGIII · 7 January 2006, 10:15 PM

I have read all that I know exist.
Flying In Flanders:

Willy Coppens
Wind In the Wires:

Duncan Grinnell-Milne
Fighting Airman: Major Biddle
Winged Warfare: Lt.Col. Bishop
Flying Fury: Major MCudden
The Red Airfighter: MvR
Ace of the Iron Cross:

Ernst Udet
Ace of Aces:

Rene Fonck
They were probably the first OT books that I read as a youth in the 60s. All have merit, and some are better than the others! I think anyone interested in WW1 aviation will enjoy them all for their look into the life and times of the aces. JMHO,
RAGIII

RED BARON RETURNS · 7 January 2006, 10:57 PM

I have read all the MVR books and the one he wrote.
I need to read that old book about

Albert Ball and i can't even remember the title of that book.
I just got done reading a oldie but goodie "Aces High" it was not bad but the new books they have now offer more information then the older books do.
Later Days,
JEP
RED BARON RETURNS

TomVrille · 9 January 2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAGIII

I have read all that I know exist.
..................
All have merit, and some are better than the others! I think anyone interested in WW1 aviation will enjoy them all for their look into the life and times of the aces. JMHO,
RAGIII

I heartily agree with your summation RAG!

Some other titles to consider include (in no particular order):
Air Command by

Raymond Collishaw
Fighting the Flying Circus by E. V. Rickenbacker
An Escaper's Log by

Duncan Grinnell-Milne
Wings Over the Somme by Gwilym H. Lewis
An Aviator's Field Book by

Oswald Boelcke
High Adventure by A. H. Cobby
The Great Adventure by

Edwin C. Parsons
Sagittarius Rising by

Cecil Lewis

To this list could be added:
War Birds now recognized as a largely autobiographical work by Elliott White Springs
Captain Albert Ball by R. H. Kiernan, but based extensively on Albert Ball's letters

Butch · 9 January 2006, 07:27 PM

I always come back to

Cecil Lewis' Sagittarius Rising. He also wrote Farewell to Wings. That is his description of how many WW1 aircraft were to fly It is a collecton of his pilot reports. If you care to know how the Maurice Farman or the BE2c flew, or his 1v1 with Guynenemer in the -13 vs Lewis in the SE5, it is a must read.

Another book that begins with WW1 flying is The Sky Beyond by Gordon Taylor. It includes the most succinct description of flying a Spitfire I have read.

And do not forget, for ambiance, Nevil Shute's novel titled Stephen Morris.

Butch

11 January 2006, 04:02 AM

I think Sagittarius Rising is a truly great read - partly because

Cecil Lewis can WRITE - some poetic and very literary moments. Not being an "oil under the fingernails" kind of guy, I like that a lot. Really gets into the emotional and mental experience rather than the technical - although he had long service flying a range of aircraft and missions from early in the war and supplies great factual information and opinions. The second half deals with post-war aviation and is interesting but the wartime stuff in my opinion is superb.

CincinnatiRedlegs · 14 January 2006, 09:15 AM

I've read Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps by

James McCudden, Fighting the Flying Circus by

Eddie Rickenbacker, The Red Baron by MvR, and Ace of Aces by

Rene Fonck.

I enjoyed McCudden's book the best as I felt it provided some much needed insight to the 1914 campaign and what role the RFC played in the early battles. They are all interesting reads as long as you remember who is writing the stories and take it all with a grain of salt.