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Post by kb on Mar 7, 2012 12:23:04 GMT 12
Heads Up! Whitcoulls have the book which appears to have an RRP of $55.00. They are selling at $49.99. Also they are having a book week and you can ask them for or get from the Weekend Herald, a discount voucher for $5.00. So I paid $44.99 this morning.
I can't report on the content yet but it is physically a high quality book and the text appears to be aimed at historical aspects rather than one for the masses. The photos have a nice balance between aircraft, people and places and I would therefore give careful consideration to purchase if aircraft photos were my primary interest.
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Post by camtech on Mar 9, 2012 14:31:18 GMT 12
Also see it on Trademe for about the same price
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Post by corsair67 on Mar 9, 2012 22:05:07 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 12, 2012 12:52:40 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 12, 2012 13:49:03 GMT 12
Cheers. Has anyone read The Bitter Sea: The Brutal World War II Fight for the Mediterranean (especially cheap!) |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 14, 2012 18:15:39 GMT 12
I have seen two different covers for this book. Are there differences in the editions? One has an NH90 on the cover, another a picture of an aircrew sergeant in front of an Iroquois in a field somewhere.
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Post by beagle on Mar 14, 2012 21:11:54 GMT 12
Man that is a good price. hunny , look what I just found. |
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Post by mumbles on Mar 14, 2012 22:21:10 GMT 12
I have seen two different covers for this book. Are there differences in the editions? One has an NH90 on the cover, another a picture of an aircrew sergeant in front of an Iroquois in a field somewhere. Since the NH-90 is the generic photo-shop special (just look at the roundel!), I think I'll try and find the one with the Iroquois  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 14, 2012 22:59:40 GMT 12
It is really strange that they have chosen the aircraft with the least amount of RNZAF history to place on the cover of an RNZAF history book. Harvards would be more apropriate.
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Post by Ykato on Mar 15, 2012 10:08:54 GMT 12
This one Joe?, My opinion Better then the final cover.  |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 15, 2012 10:15:03 GMT 12
Yeah, that is the one Ykato. So there is no difference in the editions? Agree that the Iroquois cover is better.
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Post by Ykato on Mar 15, 2012 10:19:07 GMT 12
Yeah, that is the one Ykato. So there is no difference in the editions? Agree that the Iroquois cover is better. The larger pic of the Huey cover - when you were able to access it on this website(only brings up the NH90 Cover now): www.pageandblackmore.co.nz/product/551066-RNZAFHistory-9781869796105Had in large Print across the Pic: NOT FINAL COVER. |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 15, 2012 10:21:06 GMT 12
Okay, I saw the two different covers on Trademe. That answers my question anyway, thanks Ykato.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2012 10:47:44 GMT 12
Most books seem to get a temporary cover made during the puvblishing process when proofing, initial promoting, etc is getting done, before a tweaked cover comes out. Personally I think the Iroquois cover is crap, iy cuts off the nose of the helicopter and the aircrew member has his back to camera. I can see why they changed it, but not sure why they chose to replace it with a photoshopped aircraft with no history (other than for recruiting purposes only).
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Post by beagle on Mar 15, 2012 15:11:14 GMT 12
Should have been a herk on the front cover.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 16, 2012 14:48:32 GMT 12
I have acquired a copy of this book, and as Keith has said it seems to be a high-quality publication.
So far I have just dipped into it here and there (it is that sort of book rather than a cover-to-cover read) and . . . hmmm . . . I am a little concerned.
Looking at the acknowledgements and other credits, I find very few people listed who I recognize. Air Force history is not my in-depth field, but if I was writing this history there are several people I know who are and I would consult. You and I know who they are. Largely, they are not there. I assume that McClure is a public service academic and her mindset is to only consult other academics. The unlettered Duxberrys and Subritzkys of this world possibly operate below her radar.
Dipping into the text, I have already found at least one error of fact. Although this is probably inevitable in a work of this size it does make you doubt the veracity of much other coverage.
There seems to be quite a few strange omissions. Flying boats, which are a sizeable chunk of RNZAF history 1941 though to 1967, seem to get scant mention. About a page and a half on the Cats, and even less on the Sunderlands. Disappointing, for me anyway.
So far, I would say this is not the definitive history of the RNZAF. Possibly a near miss.
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Post by corsair67 on Mar 16, 2012 21:50:11 GMT 12
I too am somewhat disappointed with this book, especially after waiting so long for it to come out and looking forward to a quality publication that would mark the occasion of the RNZAF's 75th Anniversary in a suitable fashion. I would like to know who made the decision to commission someone who has no interest in aviation to write a book about the RNZAF? Sure, I am not doubting Margaret's qualifications or experience in putting together a good manuscript on a subject she is interested in, but to me, asking her to write about the RNZAF is a lot like asking me to write a history on textiles or lawn bowls in New Zealand!  Anyway, maybe I was expecting too much, after the wonderful "Portrait of An Air Force" that commemorated the RNZAF's 50th Anniversary? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 16, 2012 22:25:01 GMT 12
Is this perhaps why the price is already plummetting?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 17, 2012 7:47:22 GMT 12
You saved me money guys, cheers.
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Post by corsair67 on Mar 17, 2012 10:14:52 GMT 12
Is this perhaps why the price is already plummetting? Not sure that is the case, Dave. I think that the current lower prices are more to do with pre-order and new release offers. If the price were to drop again in the next month, then I would consider that to be a sign that all is not well with sales. I suppose I should point out that I am not sorry I purchased this book - just that it isn't quite what I expected it to be. |
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