forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
The Book Shelf => What's interesting to read => Topic started by: phs Paddy on May 06, 2012, 06:32:59 AM
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Thinking about getting Peter Kilduff’s “Black Fokker Leader: The First World War's last airfighter Knight” and wondering if any of you that have read it consider it a good read?
I have Kilduff's Red Baron and enjoyed it, so I'm now ready to read some more of his work.
Thanks for any comments.
Paddy
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I haven't read it but I see it's in stock at The Book Depository for $25.47, with an additional 10% off. I could be tempted.
Cheers,
Chris
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Thanks for that Chris. I'm thinking how could I not enjoy more of his work.
I understand that Kilduff published his first book about Carl Degelow in 1979 titled " Germany's Knight of the Air" which has long been out of print. During the many years since then Kilduff collected new information, original photos and German archival material and then wrote this completely new book with unpublished work about Degelow and his comrades.
I think I just sold myself. :)
Paddy
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The Red Baron is on the" to be read shelf." I may check out this one too.
Steve
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Could not stand it a minute longer so this morning I downloaded “Black Fokker Leader” from Apple to my iPad.
Just finished reading the Forward which was a delight and harbinger of the trip to come I believe. (Never thought of a Forward being a delight before.)
Something of a tip-off in the relationship that Peter Kilduff and Carl Degelow built in the correspondence that occurred between them while Peter was getting into the original story was when Carl Degelow wrote to Kilduff “my friends call me Charly, why not you?”
Looking forward to getting into this one. :)
Paddy
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Could not stand it a minute longer so this morning I downloaded “Black Fokker Leader” from Apple to my iPad.
I don't have an iPad or a tablet of any kind but can you tell me if there are many specialty books like this available for them? I was quite surprised to read that this book is available, considering it's undoubtedly a short print run book, as are most specialty titles.
I know I sound like a dinosaur, but I don't know if I would like reading a book on a computer. There's just something about an old fashioned book.
Cheers,
Chris
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Could not stand it a minute longer so this morning I downloaded “Black Fokker Leader” from Apple to my iPad.
I don't have an iPad or a tablet of any kind but can you tell me if there are many specialty books like this available for them? I was quite surprised to read that this book is available, considering it's undoubtedly a short print run book, as are most specialty titles.
I know I sound like a dinosaur, but I don't know if I would like reading a book on a computer. There's just something about an old fashioned book.
Cheers,
Chris
Hi Chris,
I too feel that hardcopy can not be beat for the most enjoyable reading or lengthy study, but there are some pluses to the e-books, what they call iBooks with the iPad. I would think that any tablet would have the same or similar functions. The following are some of what’s found in the iPad iBook application;
Instant download of book (against your account)
Definition of words
Bookmark
Font type and/or size
Search for within the book, the Web, Wikipedia
Now what you cannot do is copy and paste any part of a book to a notepad or e-mail you would like to send, but that's understandable IMO.
Here is a short list of what I have located so far in their book lists dealing with WWI aviation;
by Peter Kilduff
Black Fokker Leader
Red Baron
Herman Goring Fighter Ace
The iBook app also lets you download a sample of a book at no charge, a number of beginning pages to read, that you maybe interested in purchasing. As an example I have a sample of McCudden’s “Flying Fury” loaded.
I suspect I will find more titles when I’m more specific with my search arguments.
Paddy
P.S. Thats only a small part of why I have an iPad whose primary function for me is getting on the Web or check/send e-mail when I'm in the shop. I use WiFi from there with my WiFi station being in the house which is about 75 feet away from the shop.
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Paddy,
Do a search for Winged Victory by V.M.Yeates.
You won't be disappointed.
BVB :)
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Paddy,
Do a search for Winged Victory by V.M.Yeates.
You won't be disappointed.
BVB :)
Just did a scan Robert and bing-go. Thank you Lord Buckles. ;)
Paddy
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Good.
Make sure you read it!
;)
BVB
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'A Killing For The Hawks', by Frederick E. Smith, is still my favourite WW1 book, although fictional.
Regards :)
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Paddy,
Do a search for Winged Victory by V.M.Yeates.
You won't be disappointed.
BVB :)
I was lucky enough to borrow a copy of "Winged Victory" from I guy I know quite recently. A really great read. Heavy going in places but well worth the effort.
It was only after a few beers that I discovered he was into WW1 aircraft. I was staying at his place and we were talking motor racing (he is a former Cooper and McLaren F1 and Can-Am mechanic). By the end of the night his copy of Winged Victory was in my bag and he had bought a WNW Sopwith Pup!
Tony
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Hi Tony,
The one thing I treasure about Winged Victory is it's honesty.
I agree, It can be hard going at times, but well worth finishing.
BVB
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I bought a hard copy of Black Fokker Leader several months ago, great read and highly recommended. Degelow was a unique individual, served his country with distinction, was a real leader in the air, and maintained a compassionate approach to his warrior duties without compromising the aim. I really enjoyed it and Kilduff did a great job of capturing the essence of this gentleman. His "Hermann Goring, Fighter Ace" is good as well.
Cheers,
Lance
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Lance is spot on. I’m now reading “Black Fokker Leader” and Pete Kilduff does not disappoint. He is fast becoming my favorite WWI war in the air historian. What an interesting read about a classy gentleman who happened to become a very good fighter pilot.
I now have “Winged Victory” in my iBooks library along with “Recollections of the Great War in the Air” based on the American Roger McConnell’s memoirs as a volunteer in the French Flying Corps and was with the other Americans when the Lafayette Escadrille was formed.
Got a good line up growing for kick-back time I think and look forward to adding more Kilduff to the library and.............. :)
Paddy
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Indeed, I also very much enjoyed reading Black Fokker Leader. A great biography, and some fantastic photo's.
I then went running to Pheon and ordered Rowan's decals for Degelow in both 1/48 and 1/72.
Mike
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Hello Mike,
I hear you on that and have been thinking that if I ordered WnW's Pflaz D.IIIa I would also order their "Flying Circus Part 2" decals which has Degelow's markings with the Stag.
Paddy
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Thanks for the good tip!
Black Fokker Leader is a must!
Gunther
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Meine Herren !
BLACK FOKKER LEADER is a must !
It gives really professional insight without any swagger how the air war was fought .
I'm reading it at the moment and Kilduff did a stunning work !
Horrido! Gunther
.... just finished it - every page was informative and interesting; not a single boring page!!
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I purchased a copy of Kilduff's first bio on Degelow some time back. Definitely my favorite German pilot of the time period, I definitely need to get the second iteration of this by Kilduff. A friend of mine on the WWI Modeling List produced a set of Jasta 40s decals some years back, and I snatched them up dreaming that I would do a 1/72nd scale "line up" to recreate the squadron. I picked up Rowan's sheet as well when he produced them. Now, all I have to do is:
- decide how I'm going to deal with the Roden lower wing issue on the Fokker D.VII's (Loon Models correction or do it myself)
or
- try and find 7-8 MAC Fokker D.VII kits. :o
Warren
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Meine Herren !
I already read Black Fokker Leader and his book on M.v.Richthofen were he puts himself in the role of a journalist during WW 1
sent out to interview MvR frequently.
Peter Kilduff's books are easy to read, entertaining, very informative and accurate in historic terms.
To get insight and overwiev on the topic of our German Air Forces in WW I they are highly recommended.
Right now I read the book on Göring; it is very interesting, since a good friend of mine - now in his eighties - went to the
same school at Ansbach and remembers stories on Göring (although what was told why Göring left school is different to
P.Kilduff's well researched info- I'll contact him on that subject) and a visit to that school in the 1940's by the Reichsmarschall.
viele Grüße, Gunther
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On all of your recommendations I just ordered this one. Looking forward to it.
Steve