On Tuesday November 17, 2013, we met at the West U home of John R and feasted on Chicken Cordon Bleu, asparagus, potato, tomato basil soup, and the moistest cake I’ve ever had other than tres leches.
Louis chose the book we discussed, “West with the Night”by Beryl Markham
All of us like the book in general. Linda and a couple of others noticed a difference in the writing style in the first part of the book compared to the second half. They thought that the style was more florid in the first half. Other thought were that the book wasn’t really much of a book about her flying as it was about her passion for Africa and horses. Drew observed that the flying was just her device to write about herself. Louis felt that what she is always going to be remembered for her being a pioneering woman in the world of aviation, because that’s where she earned a place in the history books for being the first woman to fly east to west over the Atlantic.
One thing that bothers me about the book was the inclusion of a picture of her in advanced age. I think that was a foolish thing, as I want to remember her in her prime, during the period covered by the book. The picture is simply so irrelevant and a sorry excuse for a photo! Googling reveals far better photos than this amateurish snapshot.
Next up in our topic "The Sky" is “Fate is the Hunter” by Ernest K Gann, whose classic memoir is an up-close and thrilling account of the treacherous early days of commercial aviation. In his inimitable style, Gann brings you right into the cockpit, recounting both the triumphs and terrors of pilots who flew when flying was anything but routine.
Amazon observes “Ernest K. Gann’s classic memoir is an up-close and thrilling account of the treacherous early days of commercial aviation. In his inimitable style, Gann brings you right into the cockpit, recounting both the triumphs and terrors of pilots who flew when flying was anything but routine.”
Amazon observes “Ernest K. Gann’s classic memoir is an up-close and thrilling account of the treacherous early days of commercial aviation. In his inimitable style, Gann brings you right into the cockpit, recounting both the triumphs and terrors of pilots who flew when flying was anything but routine.”
Ernest Gann was a prolific writer. Some of his work include “Masada”, The Antagonists”, “Song of the Sirens”, “The High and the Mighty”, Flying Circus”, “Soldier of Fortune”, and too many more to mention in this short space.
Happy Reading, everyone! If you’re not in a reading group form or join one!
Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!
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