Review: The Lancaster

Gordon A. A. Wilson
With photographs by Martin Keen

This book is both the story of the Lancaster and that of its seven-man crews: pilot, bomb aimer/nose gunner, wireless operator, flight engineer, navigator and mid-upper and rear gunners.

This book is a great addition to Amberley Publishing’s library. I was swept away by the stunning photographs – both colour and black and white – that really helped to tell the story of the Lancaster and its crew.

Books like this are so important as they not only document history but they serve to keep memories alive.

Each chapter has an introduction, some that left me with goosebumps… *no spoilers*.

This is an exceptional piece of work that serves not only as something to be read, but something to keep. A great documentation of the history of the Lancaster.

Published by Amberley Publishing 
288 pages
November 2015

Review: Over There – America in the Great War

Robert J. & Rebecca S. Dalessandro

Over There: America in the Great War by is great collection of photographs and informative text, with a concise introduction that covers America’s entry into the war in little easy-to-digest chunks. Whilst it is not a book for those who want an in-depth exploration into the US’ entry and involvement in the First World War, the bitesize introductions, though generalised, give enough significant information to tempt readers into reading further or researching more themselves.

Although it could be read altogether, this seems less of a ‘book to read’ and more like a documentary or keep-sake thanks to all the photographs and captions. Due to the chronology of chapters, readers are able to use this book as a reference for a particular period or event.

The photographs throughout are incredible and really help to tell the story, especially the inclusion of propaganda posters. The addition of colour photographs later on in the book just add that something ‘special’. Be careful of the photo on page 123 though: it might just make you go ‘aww’.

Stackpole Books have published a tremendous photographic document of American history.

Stackpole Photo Series
208 pages
January 15, 2016
978-08117-1485-3

Available from Casemate UK 

Brand-spanking new American Air Museum at Duxford

The Imperial War Museum at Duxford will be opening its doors to a new and transformed American Air Museum on 16 March 2016. It has been supported by a grant from the National Lottery Fund.

Visitors are invited to ‘re-live exciting personal stories’ about Duke Boswell, the man who on D-Day jumped out of a C-47 transport aircraft, and also about Huie Lamb, a fighter pilot who lost his P-51 Mustang in the English Channel.

It’s not all about the first and second World War though, the American Air Museum keeps up to date, allowing visitors to hear the story of Robert Gutierrez, an army man who joined the US Air Force the day after the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. On display are his uniforms that he wore on active service in Afghanistan.