Customer Reviews

Biplane

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is probably the authors earliest effort in writing about flying in its most basic environment.It is also about piloting a basic stick and rudder airplane, a biplane of 1929 vintage, across the American continent in the 1960's and the authors emergence into the "new age" inner thinking of his later books. The type of biplane he used in his story is a Parks and I have never, until recently, ever found this aircraft listed in any aviation books. However I have just aquired a magazine dated December 98 which shows a rebuild of a 1929 Parks biplane in Connecticut USA. This book made such a personal impression that it propelled me to finally learn to fly, after two earlier aborted attempts, and buy an older vintage airplane. I would love to talk to or email Richard Bach about this book and his other writings, any information on this would be appreciated.

If you read Illusions or one of Richard Bach's later books
first, as I did, you will find this to be quite a different
read. This story of trading a modern plane for a WWI
biplane and then flying it across the country was written
by a pilot for an audience of pilots. His way of looking at
the world comes through, even though it seems he was trying
to write a book for persons who like biplanes. If you liked
one of his later books and just want to read every sentece
he wrote (as I did after Illusions) this is not such a bad
read. If you also like biplanes, you got it made!

The tale of Bach's odyssey in his bi-plane will make the reader yearn for simpler times and and less complicated lives. We all spend to much time chasing things and our perspective is often distorted. Bach's eye is on the basic joys and aspirations of the human soul and he does a lovely job of it in this gem of a book. If you are a pilot, you will envy him the experiences. If you are not, you will dream of becoming one. A wonderful read awaits between the covers of this book.

In Richard Bach's words, the emotions of flying come alive to the reader. As someone who has experienced those same emotions in an ancient biplane, I was moved to tears while reading my deepest feelings put into words.

Bach always keeps me enthralled and never, ever disappoints. Besides, when you look at a book cover, see the word "Biplane" and an image of the same, how can you not like the book?! I can almost hear the purr of the engine.

Now, if we could just get this biplane pilot to Galesburg, Illinois for a Stearman Fly-In. After all, he barnstormed in Monmouth, just a stone's throw away! Okay, Mr. Bach, since your barnstorming wasn't in a Stearman, I'll let you off the hook.

Having flown for over 50 years - military, airlines and other - I still crave it. Although I have never flown a biplane coast to coast Richard Bach's words telling of the elements, the people and the feelings of himself and his plane put me there.

Like his Stanger to the Ground I will save and reread, and reread, and ....

In an age where 'time is money', the majesty of flying is too often taken for granted. Bach reminds us of the joy that is to be found each time the world drops away from the wheels and the wind whistles through the wires.

Owen Zupp

DOWN TO EARTH: A Fighter Pilot's Experiences of Surviving Dunkirk, The Battle of Britain, Dieppe and D-Day

This is a book full of wisdome and great ways to look at life

Indeed, "a reader" is correct ... this book contains little or no philosophy per se (it's much closer to "Stranger to the Ground" than to "Illusions"). But it is NOT boring, particulary if you have even passing interest in aviation (and if you don't, why are you reading Richard Bach?!).

This is truly a delightful odyssey of flight through time and space, into unknown dimensions. Simultaneously lovely and spine tingling. An amazing portayel, Richard Bach has a way of arranging words to describe the indescribable!
Arlene Millman
author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY