Fly Boy Book review by Fred LaneLitchfield, G. Fly Boy. 278 pp plus index. Self published, 2002, Eltham Vic. $36. email: geoff805@tpg.com.au. It is a tragedy, some might argue, that the RAN and various Australian governments let down so many brilliant young men who dedicated a good part of their lives, and some even that, […]
FAA Anecdotes book review by Fred Lane Manning, C. (Ed.) Fly Navy: The view from the cockpit 1945-2000. Leo Cooper: Barnsley. 2000. 224 pp incl. index and photos. US$61.42. The 2800 members of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm Officers Association were invited to contribute recollections and photographs of their notable flying experiences between the […]
Politics and religion in the USA book review by Fred Lane Wallis, J. God’s politics: Why the right gets it wrong and the left doesn’t get it. Harper: San Francisco. 2005. 384pp. $40. Naval officers traditionally sidestep discussions about politics and religion, for very good reasons. Jim Wallis agrees that these topics are avoided in […]
Spies and counterspies book review by Fred Lane Shugar, Antony. I lie for a living: The greatest spies of all time. National Geographic: Washington, D.C. 2006. 189 pp. (US$14.40, paperback) This book is required reading for all those interested in espionage and national level whistle blowing. It is an enthralling but very brief description of 60-odd […]
The Kursk disaster Book review by John Ellis Moore, R. A time to die: The Kursk disaster. Transworld Publishers Ltd.: London, 2002. 271 pp. $32.95. When you are in need of a book that you can’t put down, reach for Moore’s account of the Kursk disaster. The name is taken from a poignant poem by […]
Salvo Book review by Fred Lane Edwards, B. Salvo: Classic naval gun battles. Naval Institute Press: Annapolis 1955. 184pp, 36 photographs, track charts, bibliography and index. US$23.36. (Cheaper new and secondhand books may be found at remainder counters and on the internet.) In yet another gripping book, CAPT Bernard Edwards RN describes 18 classic naval […]
ADML Ray Lygo Book review by Fred LaneLygo R. Collision course: Lygo shoots back. The Book Guild: Lewes 2002. 551pp plus glossary, index and photographs.Internet cost: $50 incl postage. Ray Lygo, worked as a printer’s copyholder before joining the RN as a Naval Airman Second Class in 1942 . He never sat for a School […]
HMAS Sydney: the Vung Tau ferry book review by Fred Lane Nott R.T. and N. A. Payne (2001) The Vung Tau ferry: HMAS Sydney and escort ships. 3rd Ed. Noel and Margaret Payne: Nerang. (168 pages plus 90-odd pages of addenda such as crew lists and escort ship details. Cost $29.95. Self published hardback.) This […]
Fire in the Hangar Book review by Fred Lane Foster, W.F. (2001) Fire on the hangar deck: Ordeal of the Oriskany. Naval Institute Press: Annapolis. 175 pages including index, photographs and schematic drawings.US$26.95. “Fire, fire, fire, fire in the hangar,” must be one of the most feared tannoy broadcasts ever in any ship that carries […]
Vietnam: RAN helicopter flight Book review by Fred Lane Steve Eather Get the bloody job done. Allen and Unwin: St Leonards, 1998. 160pp, including index and references, $19.95 (paperback). “Get the bloody job done” might be a great squadron motto and an even better book title. Except in Vietnam. The “bloody job” did not […]
