Average customer rating:
|
WITH NAVAL WINGS: The Autobiography of a Fleet Air Arm Pilot in World War II
John Wellham (LtCommander)(DSC)(RN)(ret'd)
Manufacturer: Spellmount Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Aviation
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Naval
| World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Personal Narratives
| World War II
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1862272271 |
Book Description
A Fleet Air Arm pilot tells his dramatic story of flying the Bomba and Taranto raids, in the Red Sea, the South Atlantic and East Indies with its detailed and experienced grasp of FAA exploits around the globe and riveting descriptions of action and danger.? ?In 1938 the Fleet Air Arm became an integral part of the Royal Navy and Wellham, having been commissioned in the RAF in 1936, transferred to the Fleet Air Arm in 1939. When Mussolini threw in his lot with Hitler, the author flew one of three 'Stringbags' (Fairey Swordfish) from HMS Eagle which raided the Italian base in Bomba, sinking four ships with three torpedoes, demonstrating the crucial role of air power in modern naval warfare. Wellham was chosen to take part in the second strike on Taranto from HMS Illustrious. Braving a barrage of AA fire, he flew his badly damaged Swordfish into the harbour, fired his torpedo at the battleship Vittoria Veneto and escaped alive. The victory at Taranto humbled forever the great capital ships of the world. Appointed 'Wings' or Commander (Flying) in the escort carriers Biter and then Empress, Wellham braved storms and U-boats in the Atlantic before being sent to the 'Forgotten Fleet' in the Far East for the final struggles with Japan.
Book Description
lan Shepard was the brashest, cockiest, and most flamboyant of America’s original Mercury Seven, but he was also regarded as the best. Intense, colorful, and dramatic—the man who hit a golf ball on the moon—he was among the most private of America’s public figures and, until his death in 1998, he guarded the story of his life zealously.
Light This Candle, based on Neal Thompson’s exclusive access to private papers and interviews with Shepard’s family and closest friends—including John Glenn, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooper—offers a riveting, action-packed account of Shepard’s life. Among the first men to fly off aircraft carriers, he was one of the most fearless test pilots. He endured long separations from his devoted wife and three daughters to fly dangerous missions, working his way up the ranks despite clashes with authority over his brazen flying maneuvers and penchant for risky pranks. Hugely competitive, he beat out John Glenn for the first Mercury spaceflight and then overcame a rare illness to return to space again on Apollo 14.
He took every challenge head-on and seemed to win every time.
Long overdue,
Light This Candle is a candid and inspiring account of a bold American life.
Customer Reviews:
The Highs, Lows, and In-Betweens of Alan B. Shepard.......2006-12-31
Surprise of surprises. Amid the clutter of hastily-written self-serving memoirs from the early days of the space program, finally there appears something akin to solid history and literary proficiency. Neal Thompson was a Baltimore reporter when Alan Shepard died in 1998 of leukemia. Assigned to write an obituary, Thompson discovered that no first rate biography of the United State's first spaceman was then in print. Sensing an opportunity, Thompson, a free lance writer, began a six-year research project and produced a highly respectable treatment of a very private man. What had been known about Shepard were primarily his great successes and his notable shortcomings. Johnson tackles the great middle--and the puzzle that was Alan Shepard now begins to make sense.
In truth, there is probably misunderstanding about all of the early astronaut heroes, as if each was assigned a role in a bigger cosmic drama. Scotty Carpenter will always be the house philosopher, Gordo Cooper the hotdog, Gus Grissom the curmudgeon. Shepard's role was to be first, the best, the winner of a grueling marathon to ride the Redstone rocket--tiny by today's standards--for fifteen minutes on May 5, 1961. Given the unpredictability of the rockets of that era, the greater risk to the astronaut was on the ground than in space. This fact was appreciated in 1961, and being chosen number one was a statement from his superiors about his fortitude as much as his mastery of flying and technology.
Alan Shepard was born in 1923 in Derry, NH, to a somewhat removed, demanding father. Young Shepard inherited a fierce competitiveness and an independence that allowed him to pursue personal goals with little concern about his impression on others. This latter quality, to his advantage, is what set him apart from his archrival John Glenn, who did worry about public relations. Shepard was one of those rare men who had his cake and ate it, too: he achieved remarkable career goals while entertaining himself along the way with what can only be called oppositional defiance. In a strange twist of history, he actually pulled off the mischief that has always been attached to others like Gordon Cooper.
In this regard Thompson studies Shepard's military misbehavior and his philandering. The author's account of the future astronaut's brushes with military authority is detailed and rather surprising. One comes away with a sense that the New Hampshire flyboy's skills as a naval test pilot must have been noteworthy, outweighing numerous dangerous incidents of "flat-hatting" or strafing civilians on the ground. His cheating on his virtuous and devoted wife Louise--a spouse of the Lady Bird Johnson mold--is a blotch that time will probably not erase. Thompson does observe that Shepard's amorous sorties off the reservation were adolescent in nature; the astronaut apparently never engaged in any sort of long term relationship in which Louise was displaced.
Although there is in this work a lot about Shepard to dislike, the author clearly strove for a balanced presentation. Shepard appears to have made his peace with Glenn at the time of the Freedom Seven flight. After retirement he demonstrated a better than average interest in philanthropy and seems to have worked harder in his later years to enrich his marriage with Louise. Perhaps best known is his decade long battle with Meniere's Disease, and later with a form of leukemia. In some ways the Meniere's was more of a psychological jolt, coming as it did at the beginning of the Gemini, and ultimately, the Apollo Programs. Whatever his colleagues felt about him, Shepard was widely respected in the NASA management circle for outstanding cape com work in the troubled Carpenter and Cooper flights. With Glenn, his chief rival, out of the picture due to a head injury and political considerations, Shepard was the logical choice to command the maiden voyages of these new craft--and by implication become the first man to walk on the moon.
But this was not to be. For nearly a decade Shepard lost his license to fly any type of aircraft due to balance impairment [and other less known medical problems brought to light by the author.] Did he take this forced grounding graciously? Admittedly not. But the author assesses this period of Shepard's career with more depth than other commentators. He notes, for example, that Shepard had burned his bridges with the Navy by joining NASA and could not return to what seemed to be a straight road to admiralty status. While the Navy was no longer an option, Shepard was proving himself to be a better than average business man and becoming independently wealthy. Freed of aviator-astronaut responsibilities, he could have lived a highly lucrative lifestyle.
But he stayed with NASA, a nasty Don Quixote. Only a man in similar straits like Deke Slayton, himself medically grounded from space travel, could have understood and tolerated his subaltern's angry depression which alienated other astronauts in the program and at times rendered him a public relations nightmare. What sustained him through his bureaucratic Siberia was the desire to return to active status, but perhaps more strongly a desire to conquer his own medical problem. Shepard would admit that his selection for the first Mercury flight was the professional highlight of his career. Reinstatement to flight status for Apollo was for him a personal triumph of a different sort,
Shepard was due for some luck. Experimental surgery put him on line for Apollo 13, but management bumped him to 14 to absorb training and thus he avoided the near catastrophic events of unlucky 13. Shepard seemed grateful to be back--choosing for his Apollo 14 crew Stu Roosa, who had defined the art of avoiding Shepard in company hallways. Apollo 14 survived at least three mission-threatening crises on its way to the world's most famous tee shot. What the author shares about the moon landing mission is one of its least known achievements: it brought its commander to tears.
Certainly changed my mind about Al Shepard!.......2006-08-10
I am a "space nut". I have read numerous books, seen numerous vhs and dvd stories of everything from the start of the space age to the shuttle flights. I have never had a more inspiring feeling than upon finishing "Light this candle". It started a little slow with all the early life details of Shepard but, helped later in the book with how & why he reacted to many (and I mean many) tough situations that he faced in his unbelievable life. Being a space nut, I was happy to see little details explained in the book that are lacking in other books I have read. Such things as Shepard talking about laying in the LEM following an EVA on Apollo 14. He and Mitchell were supposed to be sleeping but Shepard talked about the "eerie silence" and hearing the A/C unit click on and off. Also, feeling like they were going to tilt over and falling out of the bunk when he thought the LEM was sliding down the edge of the crater. All of these things made it a "tough to put down" book that I would HIGHLY recommend.
I used to think of Al Shepard as an egotistical, bi-polar, spoiled fly-boy that I wanted no part in learning more about. I would have rather stuck to anyone of the other 6 Mercury astronauts. BOY WAS I WRONG! This book might have turned me to thinking that Al Shepard is the most interesting of the original 7.
Al Deserved Better Than This Shoddy Book.......2005-08-12
I had been meaning to read this long-overdue biography of Alan Shepard, and I happened to pick it up in a cruise ship library. As I read it I was surprised at the number of factual inaccuracies--there is at least one glaring non-technical error per chapter, which calls into question almost everything else between the covers. Numerous reviews here mention more problems with technical aspects of the book that I was unaware of, but which do not surprise me given the apparent lack of proofreading and fact-checking.
An example: upon finding the book, I leafed through it and found the section on Apollo 14. There it mentioned that John Glenn had "almost killed himself when he lost control of the pace car at the Daytona 500 and slammed into a flatbed trailer crowded with journalists." This sentence boggled my mind, for it contained two errors: the pace car was at the Indianapolis 500, and John Glenn was a passenger while a local Dodge dealership owner was the driver. The book is just full of examples of this kind of sloppy reporting.
Edit: I see that at least the paperback edition correctly says Indianapolis 500, but it still incorrectly implies that Glenn was driving the pace car.
As close as one can get to the "real" Alan Shepard.......2005-05-25
I missed an opportunity to go to a book-signing where Alan Shepard was signing copies of "Moon Shot". I figured I would have another chance but then before long he was gone. What a thrill it would have been to have shook the hand of the first American in space.
Nostalgia aside, this book is a capsule of the life of the man. True, it is littered with inaccuracies in spots, and seems to delve far too deeply at moments on the personal life of one of the most important men in the last 50 years. But then again, how many JFK biographers have tried to delve into the hush-hush side of the man?
This book will give you a clear picture of the over-achieving, success-driven, consumate test pilot who one day became an important symbol to many Americans, who were afraid their world was about to be consumed by communism. At times wistful, sometimes aggrandizing, other times pointedly candid, this biography attempt to reveal the Alan Shepard even the man himself wanted no one to see.
You will be amazed at the story.
Enjoyable, but the essence of the man is missing...........2005-01-10
I was surprised to learn how few biographies have been written about Alan Shepard. Perhaps this is a function of the Life Magazine exclusivity contracts; it would seem that such a pivotal character at the birth of the age of space exploration would have generated more interest. However, the lack of literary output cannot diminish Mr. Shepard's contributions which are, unequivocally, legendary.
Mr. Thompson's research appears to be of professional caliber. However, I was left with a view of Shepard as a courgeous philanderer, whose marriage survived his self indulgence. His cold, competitive detachment appears to be one of his most admirable qualities, in addition to his aforementioned intestinal fortitude.
Those of us who, as childeren, watched him hit the most famous extra-terrestrial golf shot in history, imagined a hero cut from different cloth. Courage, and an almost unimaginable grace under immense pressure, are more fitting labels.
Indeed, it may be that the author's account is more accurate than one's imagination. In fairness, the early flying exploits are exciting and intriguing; the fatality rate in training was horrific. The mere fact that those men would attempt Carrier landings, at night, is worthy of our admiration and respect.
Perhaps in an era where literature must reveal every harsh truth, no matter how tasteless, one may be forgiven in yearning for a more gentle, respectful memory.
Book Description
If you could remember your own potty training, you’d probably recall a time filled with anxiety and glee, frustration and a sense of accomplishment, triumphal joy and shamed remorse. You’d remember wanting so much to make mommy and daddy happy, and at the same time to make them pay for being so darned unreasonable. And you’d recall feeling incredibly grown up once you got it right. Maybe if we could remember our own potty training, it wouldn’t be so tough when it came our turn to be the trainers. But as it is, most of us feel like we can use all the expert advice and guidance we can get.
Potty Training For Dummies is your total guide to the mother of all toddler challenges. Packed with painless solutions and lots of stress-reducing humor, it helps you help your little pooper make a smooth and trauma-free transition from diapers to potty. You’ll discover how to:
- Read the signs that your tot is ready
- Motivate your toddler to want to give up diapers
- Kick off potty training on the right foot
- Foster a team approach
- Deal with setbacks and pee and poop pranks
- Make potty training a loving game rather than a maddening ordeal
Mother and daughter team, Diane Stafford and Jennifer Shoquist, MD separate potty-training fact from fiction and tell you what to expect, what equipment you’ll need, and how to set the stage for the big event. They offer expert advice on how to:
- Choose the right time
- Use a doll to help model behavior
- Say the right things the right way
- Reinforce success with praise and rewards
- Switch to training pants
- Get support from relatives
- Cope with special cases
- Train kids with disabilities
And they offer this guarantee: “If your child is still in diapers when he makes the football team or gets her college degree, you can send him or her off to us for a weekend remedial course—and ask for a refund of the cost of this book.”
Customer Reviews:
good basic knowledge.......2007-05-02
Loaned this to a friend and have never seen it again! I liked it for the basic ideas. If nothing else, it confirmed that my thoughts were correct.
Great Book!.......2007-02-22
This is the 3rd book we've read on the subject, and this is my favorite. I really appreciated the examples of how to respond to my child so that she would be encouraged and not pressured. It also helped me be less frustrated by accidents. The positiveness and enthusiasm is working really well for my daughter. After 1 month of potty training with other books she still didn't tell me when she wanted me to take her to the potty. After 2 days of this book, she told me she wanted me to take her to the potty. Hurray!
Potty Training for the not so dumb.......2007-01-12
This book is great. My daughter trained her son in a week with the suggestions from this book.
I loved this book!.......2006-11-25
I have to disagree with the other reviews wholeheartedly. I bought this book in preparation for training my son. He's my second, so I did manage to train his sister "on my own," but she is a girl and he's a boy, and she's 5 1/2 years older, so it was a looong time ago. I have always dreaded potty training, but this book's "cheerleading" style has been so helpful and motivational. We are just at the beginning stages, but this is a great reference. The section on books, potty chairs and other helps is really great. This book is helpful to have on hand when your child is around 18 months so that you will be ready to start the preparation and pick up the cues, even though you will not likely start moving forward until the child is closer to 2 or 2 1/2.
Dummies is accurate.......2006-01-04
I couldn't get past the effort at clever jokes, witty remarks, and cute made-up phrases in this book on every single page. Tidbits of information clutter every page is a truly random fashion. Not only that, the real information is hidden somewhere in between. Also, is is really a topic that warrants such a thick and complicated book?
Average customer rating:
|
Potty Training for Dummies
Manufacturer: HUNGRY MINDS (TWLD)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GX3WOW |
Average customer rating:
- A Must to Learn Tampa History!
|
The Treasure of Tampa Bay
Colonel Joe Reich
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1413783058 |
Book Description
Tampa Bay is rich with history, and what better way to tell its story than to tie it all together through a historical novel? Through the eyes of the native Tocobagan Indians, we witness the landings of the Spanish conquistadors and the soldier Juan Ortiz who is left behind. Along with his Indian wife Fair Breeze, their offspring become involved with the interests of the Cuban fishermen, the visits by both the British navy and Caribbean pirates, the arrival of American settlers and soldiers, the Civil War, Henry Plant's plan to industrialize the Bay, the railroad race, the cigar industry, Teddy Roosevelt and the Spanish-American War, the infamous sand merchants, Tony Janus and early American aviation around the Bay, World War II, Communism, the Cold War and the Space Age. It also highlights the early competition between Tampa and St. Petersburg (Point Pinellas) regarding port construction. Everything revolves around the fortunes of a family that links the past to the present in a fashion that makes history come alive.
Customer Reviews:
A Must to Learn Tampa History!.......2006-04-17
What a the great way to learn about Tampa Bay history!! -- an exciting, fact-filled story full of actual events. It made me prouder of my Native American heritage.
Book Description
Feel like you're on a Florida vacation while still at home! The tastes and treasures of Tampa come alive in recipes, theme menus, and "treasure tips." Area chefs and restaurants contributed signature recipes that make this a perfect gift for any cook. A 1992 National Winner of the Tabasco Community Cookbook Award.
Customer Reviews:
A treasure map of good eating!.......1999-05-01
This cookbook is loaded with great recipes! I love the fact that the preparation and cooking time is listed after each recipe. It also includes color pictures! There is such a wide-range of recipes from all over the state of Florida such as Greek, Spanish, Italian and Cuban cuisine. As a member of the Junior League of Tampa and the Cookbook Chairman, I love this book!
A True Treasure!.......1999-03-26
After several outstanding meals at my friend's home, I asked for a few of her recipes . . . when she informed my that they all came from "Tampa Treasures," I decided to try and get my hands on a copy. I've now made several of the recipes and have found that each one is easy to prepare and outstanding. The Junior League of Tampa has indeed been very generous in sharing their culinary best!
Average customer rating:
|
Tampa the Treasure City
Anthony Pizzo
Manufacturer: Continental Heritage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0932986382 |
Books:
- Your Loving Son, "Ed" : Letters from a World War II G.I.--From Boot Camp to the Battlefields of Europe
- 21st Century Complete Guide to Iraq and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD): Including the Duelfer Report, CIA Comprehensive Report of the Special Adviser to the Director of Central Intelligence on Iraq¿s WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction--with Additional Iraq WMD Background Material, plus the Complete 9-11 Commission Report
- A Chaplain Remembers Vietnam
- A Medic's Story: An Autobiography of Experiences During World War II
- A River Sutra
- A Soldier's General: The Civil War Letters of Major General Lafayette McLaws
- Admiral Arleigh Burke
- Airplanes, Women, and Song: Memoirs of a Fighter Ace, Test Pilot, and Adventurer
- All Right Let Them Come: The Civil War Diary of an East Tennessee Confederate (Voices of the Civil War)
- America's First Black General: Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. 1880-1970 (Modern War Studies)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
- 1,000 Greetings: Creative Correspondence Designed for All Occasions
- Speak with Confidence: A Practical Guide, Ninth Edition
- The Fat to Muscle Diet
- This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War
- A Bend in the River
- Tracking the Vanishing Frogs: An Ecological Mystery
- The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips
- Strategic Accounting for Managers: One Company's Road of Discovery
- The Invisible Ring
