2 comments about For God, Country, and the Thrill of It: Women Airforce Pilots in World War II (Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Texas Photography Series).

1. The previous review covers the book thoroughly and well, but I have to add how entranced I was by the recent photos of the women. You can see in their eyes, their faces, and their posture that they are something special. The previous reviewer called this a high-priced coffee table book and recommended another title for more extensive information about the WASPs, but if you want to understand the heart and soul of these women, spend some time with these photos.



2. Author Anne Noggle is a veteran of the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP), organized during World War ll to free male aviators from non-combat duties. American women flew every type of fighter and bomber, from the nimble P-38 Lightning to the massive B-17 "Flying Fortress". They ferried warplanes from factory to front, and helped train young men in flying and targeting. And in September 1944, WASP Anne Baumgartner test-piloted the American prototype jet-fighter, the YP-59A Airacomet. This big, glossy book contains a brief history of the WASP and narrative of their training, accompanied by large, high-quality black-and-white photos of the youthful aviators and their airplanes. Their pride of service is evident in their smiling faces and the praise from military leaders such as Generals Arnold and Eisenhower. Their bittersweet sorrow at their post-war deactivation is described poignantly. They continue to meet annually, and the book concludes with a series of more recent photos of the women, as they appeared in the early 90's. Members of the WASP have attended as guest of honor at the yearly reunions of Russian female WWll combat-aviators. (Ms. Noggle has also authored the marvelous book of interviews and photos of veterans of the Soviet women's air-regiments, entitled "A Dance With Death".) Note: while very attractive, "For God, Country, and the Thrill of It" seems somewhat high-priced for what is basically a coffee-table photo-album. The book is really a personal tribute to Ms. Noggle's comrades. For superior text coverage of the WASP, read "Amelia Earhart's Daughters".

1 comments about Henry V (Revealing History).

1. This is less a biography than it is a overview of how Henry has been treated by historians, dramatists, and population culture. The actual life and assessment of the man takes up less than a third of the book and is pretty standard stuff. The analysis of how history has treated Henry is interesting and good source material but the absence of any real coherant theme under the analysis or final summing up undermines its value. I would say this is good source material for a college paper if you didn't want to read the orginal texts and helpful for the reader to learn where to go next, but not the best source for an understanding of various interpretations of Henry.

No comments about Eminent Victorians.

No comments about Geschichte der Zivilisation in England: Band I. Abteilung 1.

No comments about Histoire de la révolution française: Tome 1. Livres I - IV.

1 comments about The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Transcript Excerpts from the Trials at the Old Bailey, London, During April and May 1895 (Uncovered Editions).

1. Coates gives the reader the essentials in this "uncovered" edition. While I would have preferred an index, this collection serves as a wonderful primary source for the student of gay history, and a great read for anyone interested in Oscar Wilde or one of the earliest modern legal defenses of homosexuality. Despite surprising claims that the "love that dare not speak its name" defense is *not* a defense of homosexuality, even the most cursory read will show it is a brilliant defense of homosexual love in the classical (age-differentiated) sense, which was the very type of romantic/sexual relationship Oscar Wilde and Bosie Douglas had formed.

No comments about Mary Gladstone: A Gentle Rebel.

4 comments about Patriots Will: Surviving the Great Depression and World War II Combat.

1. I happened to meet Major Hubbard after flying on the B-17 Aluminum Overcast when it visited Sarasota this past Veteran's Day. You will enjoy this book. If you do get to fly on a B-17, Major Hubbard's book is must reading either before or after you fly so you can see what those men did and experienced in these aircraft - truly remarkable. Even if you don't get to fly on one of the few remaining B-17s that can still fly, you will enjoy this book.



2. Inspiring autobiography that left me in awe of his tenacity to achieve his goals. A self driven teen ager to a military life where he fought the dull assignments until he got what he wanted; putting his life in one of the highest risk assignments of World War II. One of many other brave men no doubt but clearly writes a book placing the reader there with him.
   George Flavell -Author & Airline Pilot (Ret)



3. This book is a fine contribution to WWII history. Mr. Hubbard shares his personal experiences as a boy during the Great Deppression in America and as a young man flying dangerous B17 missions over Europe. This book is well worth reading because it puts a human face to historic times. I highly recommend it.



4. This is a very interesting work highligting one man's experiences during WW II as he went from being a teenager to eventually flying 25 combat missions as a gunner on a B-17.
   What makes this book unique is the perspective on the war as seen through the eyes of an individual as he makes his way from the U.S. to the Canadian Army and how he eventually gets transferred to the US Army Air Corps. The book chronicles his his day to day experiences along the way - the problems of survivial, both large and small, the love affairs, the training, waiting, the bombing missions and his eventual return to the U.S. You will find this book to be an easy read with a new perspective on a subject that is usually treated from a more macro point of view.

No comments about George IV (Pocket Biographies).

No comments about Histoire de la Convention nationale: Tome 5.