What WWI book inspired you as a child?

[Checkers67]

Mine is: Aeroplanes and Flyers of the First World War. Great illustrations. The book was Christmas present from Mom and Dad long ago.

[uncletony]

Mine were (and are, have them to this day and though the bindings are ruined I still pore over them; mine were both childhood presents too)

The Fighters : Thomas R. Funderburk (1965)

Heroes and Aeroplanes of the Great War 1914-1918  : Joseph A. Phelan (1966)

[Jim52]

"The Red Knight of Germany" Gibbons, F 1927.

Mine was the Ballentine Books paperback bought in the mid 1960's.
I might even still have it!?

Jim

[lcarroll]

My Grandfather bought me a hard cover copy of "The Red Knight of Germany, The Story of Baron von Richthofen" by Floyd Gibbons at a Charity Rummage Sale for $0.50 in 1952. I still have it and treasure it although it has, over the years, recieved some fairly critical reviews vis a vis accuracy and the author's artistic licence. It's still in pretty good shape and has the place of honor on my bookshelf surrounded by over a hundred other WWI Aviation books, at least a dozen on the same topic.
    I credit the dear old Guy with starting my love affair with WWI Aviation at the then tender age of 8 and also with the beginnings of my love of flying which led to a lifetime in the flying game. My copy, BTW, was published in 1927, I believe an original release.
    Great topic, brings back many fond memories!
Cheers,
Lance

[Checkers67]

Uncle Tony, Good ole' Joe is tne author of the book I mentioned too. Mine must be a second edition or first US release.There was a second book that influenced me; "Flying Aces of WWI". It was a scholasticc paperback I ordered in elementary school. Also the film "Dawn Patrol".

[uncletony]

Checkers --

 I don't think it is the same book, but am not sure. Heroes & Aeroplanes was reprinted in 1973, the same year Aeroplanes & Flyers came out. My hunch it was reprinted to coincide with the release of A & F....

[Jim52]

Lance,
          That is a treasure! I will agree that compared to more recent books, it
leaves a lot to be desired. However, I try to keep a couple of things in mind.
One, it was written less than 10 years after the War ended and I'm sure that research
material was pretty hard to come by. Heck, even today some Authors don't get it
right and they have the internet and a great many peers to draw upon. Two. those
same people that have pooh-poohed the book, like us. were probably inspired by it; thus,
serving it's purpose. I also happen to feel that W.A. Wylam has suffered from the same
type of flack. They kept things going until others came along to advance our knowledge.
OK, time to take the Soapbox and carve a solid model from it! 

Jim

[mike in calif]

I had a couple: "The Great War' by Ed jablonski, 1965 and "The Red Baron" by Emile C. Schurmacher 1970. I've since acquired some others on 'ol Manny, but those two were favorites.

[pepperman42]

.......Biggles........

Steve

[bobs_buckles]

followed by.

[Chris Johnson]

I still remember the book that kindled my interest in WWI aviation. Knights of the Air was published in the late 50's and was aimed at the young reader. If I remember correctly, I bought my copy through Scolastic Book Services at school around the 5th or 6th grade. It's long gone now but I'll still bet it's a good read.



It didn't have any photos, but it had some great black and white pencil drawings accompanying the riveting stories about Canadian aces. First impressions count for a lot, so I still have a soft spot in my heart for Billy Bishop. So much so that when I get around to building that Academy Nieuport 17, she'll be sporting Bishop's markings.

Cheers,

Chris

[cduckworth]

Actually it was a combination of two books; the Profile series and Harleyford's Fighters 1914-1918.  I was making $3 cutting lawns (this was the early 1960's) and the Profiles were .50 cents each at my local hobby shop but they didn't carry all of them so I remember mailing cash to a bookseller in NY for the WWI profiles I was missing.  I also saved up and bought the Harleyford book - still have the Profiles.  The Harleyford got wet at sometime and I've since replaced it.    I still enjoy looking at both.       

[GAJouette]

  There were too many to list here. But the one that really stands out to me would be "Fighting the Flying Circus" by Edward Rickenbacker given to me by my late Father when I was 10 or so years old. Still have this book too,it's been reread multiple times. Excellent book and one I'd suggest reading to all.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette


PS: I'd second Charlies books too,excellent resources. I still wish I could find a copy of Harleyford's Recon. and Bomber Aircraft 1914-1918.

[uncletony]

speaking of, here is a link to a huge list of public domain books to fill up your hard drive (or iPad). I think "Fighting the Flying Circus" is in there somewhere.

http://riseofflight.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=31190

[GAJouette]

  Tony,
That's one excellent link my friend.Thanks so much for sharing,most appreciated.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette