Les Cicognes/Jon Guttman (Osprey)

[Kosh]

I just ordered the above book for about 13.50 euros including shipping. Since this is the first WW1 Osprey I have ordered, I hope something good will drop in my mailbox next week! What say you?

[Zabu]

I think that you'll not be disappointed. I have a few books from them and I think that they are great!

[TomVrille]

I received my copy of Les Cigognes just a few days ago, and cannot yet comment on the text, but the book contains a good many photographs and 37 color profiles. Color plates are mostly Spad VIIs and XIIIs, but there are also plates of three Nieuport 17s, and both Guynemer's and Fonck's Spad XII.

I have found the quality of Osprey's publications to be generally good, and Les Cigognes is no exception. I think it is a valuable addition to the history of French aviation for an English-speaking audience. It's too bad there isn't more such material available. I'm afraid the Anglophones among us have never been forgiven for introducing Le Hot Dog into spoken Français!

[BarkhornXX]

Osprey books are generally very good and the plates do stand out. I must have about a dozen of their WWI titles but I don't have this one. I will get it tho'

[FOKKERJ]

Hi Kosh,

Les Cicognes/Jon Guttman (Osprey) is on my list, I've come close to ordering it before.
If it's anything like "SPA 124 Lafayette Escadrille", by Jon Guttman, "Austro-Hungarian Aces of WWI" by Christopher Chant, "Fokker D. VII Aces of WWI" Part 1 and "Fokker D. VII Aces of WWI" Part 2 by Norman Franks and Greg VanWyngarden, or "Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI", "Richthofen's Circus" Jagdgeschwader Nr I, and "Jagdgeschwader Nr II" Geschwader 'Berthold' all by Greg VanWyngarden, You will want them all!

Regards,
FOKKERJ

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Originally Posted by FOKKERJ

"Austro-Hungarian Aces of WWI" by Christopher Chant, (...) You will want them all!

Regards,
FOKKERJ

Hi,

Do you know martin O'Connor's book? I just checked Chant's Osprey version, not bought it, but my first impressions were not so great (the must have in this topic is still O'Connor's book).

Csaba

[Barrett]

The main difference in the two treatments (other than length) is that Chant inserts some background into the Italian front activities when discussing various A-H aces. But there are no original profiles in the Osprey version: all are based on Marty O'Connor's groundbreaking volume. Also, Chant does not address all 49 A-H aces.

[WarrenD]

In my experience, Osprey books can be real hit or miss in terms of historical accuracy. It oftentimes depends on the subject, and the author. That being said, I have never heard a discouraging word regarding anything that GvW has produced for them. That has not always been the case with all of their WWI titles. I have heard some folks come down hard on some of the other authors at times. Whterh it was merited or not , I cannot say.
For my own experience, I have had some real laughs at some things published in some of their Men-at-Arms, etc. in the past. As I said, it all depends on the subject and author, and his or her familiarity with it.
FWIW,

Warren

[Kosh]

Well, the book is in. I have read only a few first pages and the text seems to be most interesting! However, I have browsed the photos thru and I wonder how come they are of so poor quality? At least in comparison with Neal O'Connor´s Imperial Awards vol. VII, Duiven&Abbott´s Schlachtflieger, Italian Aces of WW1 and Opdycke´s French Aeroplanes before the Great War Osprey´s reproduction leaves a lot to be desired.

[Kilian]

You cannot compare Schlachtflieger with an Osprey book, it has special photo paper and its fully worth the price. Nevertheless the few Osprey books i have acquired so far are of good quality also from the paper and picture quality.