Our February focus looked at air travel. As usual there was plenty of variety, things learnt and friendly discussions.
BEV - AIRFRAME by MICHAEL CRICHTON. 1996.
As a plane is coming in to land the pilot sends an emergency call - there has been an accident or turbulence during the flight and ambulances are needed. There are 40 patients requiring urgent help! The story delves into what happened which was interesting, but was too heavy on the technical details of the aircraft and too much jargon.
JULIA - THE LIFE OF AMELIA EARHART by LIBBY ROMERO.
Amelia always loved and was fascinated by flight. After an unhappy childhood she went on to become the 1st woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. A trail blazer and adventurer who, mysteriously, disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. An interesting read.
JUDY D - QF by RICHARD de CRESPIGNY.
The Captain's account of the extraordinary events that, by landing his plane at Singapore's Changi airport after an explosion shattered an engine, saved many lives. A massive crisis averted by his amazing skill in navigating his craft to safety.
Judy also read THE HUNT FOR MH 370 by EARL HIGGINS - both were good reads.
KRIS - MY GOD IT'S A WOMAN by NANCY BIRD WALTON. 2002.
Autobiography by Nancy Bird, born into poor beginnings, she was determined to fly. The book traces the early stages of male dominated aviation in Australia and how Nancy was a pupil of Charles Kingsford Smith. She overcame many obstacles to pursue her dream and took to barnstorming. This allowed her to fly, earn respect and earn a living. She became known as the 'Angel of the Outback'. Really enjoyable.
PAMELA - NO MOON TONIGHT by DON CHARLWOOD.
Memoir of Australian navigator Don Charlwood who enlisted in WW2 like many who signed up to support the 'old country'. He trained in Canada and was in camps in northern UK. Navigation systems were very simple in those days and risks were very high. The life expectancy of air crew in WW2 was 23 years of age. Fog, difficult navigation circumstances, simple early aircraft, flying through flak, high risk night time raids etc reveal the pressures and intensity of the times. Well written but a bit depressing, the glossary was useful as a number of characters were described.
SHEILA - THE LONG FLIGHT HOME. by LAINIE ANDERSON.
A true story, told by the wife of the subject, to the author of the book. Wally Shiers was a WW1 Veteran who, before returning to Australia to marry his sweetheart, was asked to compete in an historic aviator race from England to Australia. Wally, an aviator mechanic, joined and so the story unfolds including all the hazards experienced during early days of aviation. Simply written and with many Australian idioms it is an easy read.
JOAN - OUT OF AFRICA by KAREN BLIXEN. 1937
A memoir - Karen married her cousin and moved to Kenya to help run a coffee plantation. The marriage was not a success however Karen stayed on, and continued to run the farm. Her close association with a neighbour and pilot saw Karen take to the sky. She beautifully describes the vistas, light changes, clouds, storms etc. Beautiful imagery, highly descriptive.
JO - FLY GIRLS by KEITH O'BRIEN.
Many girls learnt to fly between WW1 and WW2 but there was much discrimination against female pilots. The book covers the many issues women aviators faced - very few airports, highly dangerous planes made from wood, little or no navigation tools, having to rely on landmarks (difficult to see in poor weather), not allowed to join air shows or air races. Interesting.
DIANN - THE PILOT'S WIFE by ANITA SHREVE.A husband is killed in a plane crash. Investigators arrive at the family home seeking a reason for the crash. A number of troublesome issues arise - an affair, IRA involvement, the investigators seem to want to lay blame on the husband/pilot, heartache for the family. The story was slow moving, with the plot confusing as it jumped around with different characters. Not recommended.
CONNIE - THE FLYING KANGAROO - GREAT UNTOLD STORIES OF QANTAS
by JIM EAMES.
Stories about the early times of Qantas where risk and rewards were high and barnstorming a way to earn money and gain recognition. Qantas involved in WW2 and Vietnam troop movements, disaster help especially after Cyclone Tracey, Bali tragedy - never given recognition for their support and involvement. Movie Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman referred to Qantas. Stories also include issues of mergers, privatisation, budgets, many humorous stories about what they've carried (whales, trees, pets) and their involvement in the 75th anniversary of ANZAC when they planned and supported a number of elderly WW1 diggers return to Anzac Cove for the commemorations of the event. Enjoyable.
JUDY A - THE ONLY PLANE IN THE SKY - the Oral History of 9/11
by GARRET GRAFF.
Over 500 people told what they witnessed and experienced on that day. It brought to life the day of 9/11.
FALLING by T.J.NEWMAN. A pilot called in on his day off is about to begin his shift when he learns his family has been kidnapped and now held for ransom. A good thriller.
WENDY - FLYING TOO HIGH by KERRY GREENWOOD.Phryne Fisher, detective, flies in to solve a murder. A good read.
ROSEMARY - THE AVIATOR'S WIFE by MELANIE BENJAMIN.
Anne Lindbergh, wife of Charles Lindbergh, was wealthy, adventurous, independent and strong. She became the 1st female licensed pilot in USA. Anne and her husband travelled extensively, discovered new flight routes but she was always in his shadow. A power couple of their times. Tragedy struck when their son was kidnapped and murdered. Historical fiction/bio. Good.
CLAURENE - BORN TO FLY by RYAN CAMPBELL.
As a 6 year old Ryan fell in love with flight, his family owned small planes. By 15 he was the youngest pilot in Australia. At 19 he flew solo around the world in a single engine plane. He landed 31 times in 15 countries and travelled 24000 nautical miles. The book gives a view from above of our world. Interesting and enjoyable.
Lesley
March: We will be reading books by Garry Disher e.g Signal Loss, Blood Moon, The Heat, Play Abandoned, Bitter Wash Road
