Customer Reviews

Bush Pilot With a Briefcase: The Incredible Story of Aviation Pioneer Grant McConachie

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This book is a tribute to the man who single-handedly shaped the face of Canadian avation, written by a long-time friend. Through a series of anecdotes depicting the adventures and misadventures of the former president of Canadian Pacific Airlines, Keith is able to paint a vivid picture of this charismatic, lovable man, while maintaining the legend that surrounds him. Well worth anyone's time; a great mixture of adventure and humour.

Wandering the University of Calgary hallways back in 1985, I took a wrong turn into a lecture room and was greeted by some fairly depressed fellows who handed me a book. Bushpilot With A Briefcase. Months later, I accidentally cracked it open and started reading - and couldn't put it down. I've often wondered who those fellows were. When I learned that the author died that year, I wished I'd had a chance to say something about how this book touched me. Certain passages have stayed with me for - oh, geeze, I guess over 20 years, now.

The writing is that flawless, seemingly effortless presentation that draws you into the story. Words, pages, and the rest of the world disappear. Open the book and fly with Grant, struggle with him through countless adventures. I understand Mr. Ronald Keith worked for years with Mr. McConachie. His writing shows that familiarity. The characterizations are flawless. I'd be hard-pressed to swear I haven't shared a beer with several bush pilots who died well before I was born. Read this book to regain your sense of wonder and potential, your conviction that this world is a good one and that all things can be possible - or can be moved past.

I heard it said that this must've been an easy book to write because Grant left such grist for the mill. Grant sounds like an amazing man, but so was Keith to have brought these chronicles to such vivid, pervasive life.

Highly recommended and fondly remembered.