New Osprey, 56 Sqn book: Question please, Alex?

[Southside Bucky]

Hello Alex.

Just received your new book, No 56 Sqn RAF/RFC, which is (like all your others), quite superb.

If it's not too much trouble, I was wondering, and very interested to know if, in this new book, there are any notable corrections or information updates to your other 56 Sqn history, the classic; 'High in the Empty Blue'?

Also, while I'm here, I'd like to thank you for yet another excellent contribution to WWI aviation literature.

Well done sir, and all the very best to you.

Bucky

[alex_revell]

Bucky,
Thanks for your kind remarks re the Osprey 56 Sqdn history. However, I must confess that I tried to get the thing stopped, or at least have my name taken off it, I felt so strongly about it. The syntax and general style of my original text has been altered so much (plus additions, which are misleading to say the least) that it is no longer my text. What makes it worse is that all the alterations were unnecessary and gratuitous. I take a great deal of care in my writing and I objected most strongly to Osprey. They were very apolgetic, but the thing had to stand as is, as it would have been too expensive to recall and reprint. The good thing about it is that have given me an assurance that the 60 Sqdn history I am working on for them will be unaltered from my MS.
There may be a few, small things additional to HITEB, but I can't at the moment recall any specific details. Having said that, the book is well produced, the photos have come out well, and the essential details of the squadron's activities are there - if now poorly expressed.
Thanks again
Alex

[Southside Bucky]

Sorry to hear that, Alex...Must be very frustrating for you.

Thank you for the candid reply, but as you say, the book is sound regarding its information and photographic content...Therefore, a 'must have' for anyone even mildly interested in WWI aviation, in my opinion.

60 Squadron next, eh?...Can't wait!

Thanks again.

[Chock]

Sorry to hear about the evil hand of the sub editor on your manuscript. Ten years of working as a writer for the Guardian newspaper in the UK taught me that it unfortunately goes with the territory.

Al

[tcrean7828]

Alex,
Should be getting mine in the post soon as I had pre-ordered it.

Sorry to hear that your words are not really your words - but it sounds great that you are working on a 60 Sqn. book to follow. Let me know when it is avail and I will try to pre-order it as well.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

[jastaflieger]

Alex,
To begin with, your first 56 sqdn book comes off my shelf rather frequently still, i just open it and begin reading from that point on for a few pages:: always learn something new, despite having read it from cover to cover when it first came out.
I believe it is because there is SO much there , although i confess that perhaps as the years pile up on me, could forget the occassional item from time to time!
I was said to read your post in this thread about the editing, and it made me hesitant to purchase the Osprey book. But i decided to do so, and i am glad that i did. THe crispness of the photos in the book is superb, very clear and possibly in some cases better than the photos in your classic work.
I feel a little as though i have purchased the Cliff Notes edition( in case you dont know my reference, cliff notes is a series of condensed versions of books so that high school students could still write the paper on Hamlet- but not be bothered by the full version)
However my first reading through the inital several chapters, seems to me that anyone who purchases this book will be very happy, the story of 56 sqdn comes off the page, and there must still be enough of what you put in there Alex, because i truly believe that this book is still a solid reference for anyone interested in these brave young men and their exploits.
So , i would recommend this book, and i too thank you for putting it together-- now i can fit it in my carry on luggage and bring it along on short trips to read!!
I would also like to send a big congrats to Mark Posthlewaite for the cover painting, man that is good- i think it portrays McCudden's Se5 as well as anyone ever has.
I also just finished your McCudden "periodical?" from Albatros Publ, and really, really enjoyed that one too Alex.
So , please keep up the great work and i look forward to 60sqdn(soon?)!
jim

[jastaflieger]

Unlike Mr Revell, i do need an editor. Having glanced at my earlier post- there are several errors, but one i wanted to clearly correct was:
That i was not said, but rather i was sad , having read Alex'x earlier post.
anyway, i am looking forward to the 60sqdn book- hopefully early in 2010?

jim

[Ginger.]

What Alex says is Osprey all over, if anybody could f**k up a new c**t it's them!

[totoroman]

got the book yesterday and really liked it. I haven't gotten thorough and in-depth with it yet... but I remember really wanting to find out what happened to Blomfield after he left the squadron.

my only 'complaint' would be that it would have been nice if some room was made for an appendice of all the victory claims and confirmations associated with the squadron during the war.

nothing against this book--but reading it REALLY made me want to go back and purchase "High in the Empty Blue". HitEB is considerably longer and I suspect it will go into more detail.

like nearly all Osprey books it looked polished and was easy to read.

sorry to hear about them screwing up the manuscript. that's a terrible thing.

[tcrean7828]

Mates,
Just received mine today in the post - now to sit back and enjoy. Will drill down the details when I get through with it, but by a quick look see - it was worth the wait if only for the pictures alone.

Good job Alex

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom