Close Encounters With the Pilot's Grim Reaper [Paperback]

Lou Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2006

Col. Lou Martin, USAF (ret.) obtained his pilot's license at age 17, and for the next 50 years flew aircraft as diverse as the Piper Cub, single-engine jets, and large military and civilian transports. He was an Air Force pilot of 22 years, a Japan Airlines Captain for five, a chartered pilot in Iran for three and an FAA pilot inspector for 19. During his 19,000 hours in the air he experienced many interesting -- and sometimes dangerous -- events that could have ended his exciting flying career. In Close Encounters With the Pilot's Grim Reaper he presents a pilot's true story, in autobiographical format, of close encounters he experienced during sixty years of military and civilian flying, plus encounters, some fatal of aviation colleagues. With 540 pages and more than 80 illustrations. These photos embellish the reader's concept while they accompany Lou as he reminisces, with remarkable clarity, his fascinating life. For those of you who have read his award-winning book, Wings over Persia, you are in for another great read!

Product Details

• Paperback: 546 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412092299
• ISBN-13: 978-1412092296
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,587,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings back memories, couldn't put it down, March 9, 2007

By 

Bobby Hunter "seehunt" (san antonio, tx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Close Encounters With the Pilot's Grim Reaper (Paperback)

For all military pilots and maintenance types, this book sure brings back the memories. On the flight line, in flight and TDY's, he tells it like it really was and doesn't leave anything out. The personal stuff, the women, the training and the flying, it's all there and very well done.

A must read for all pilots !

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Realities, February 25, 2007

By 

John C. Taylor "Cal Taylor" (Olympia, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Close Encounters With the Pilot's Grim Reaper (Paperback)

Lou Martin's autobiography tells of both the good and the bad during a lifetime of flying. He came close to the Grim Reaper, many times, and knew others who did not survive such meetings. Thanks to the examples of WWII pilots, Martin learned to plan, train and be ready for the unexpected that could have been his last flight. Along the way, he tells of exepriences that included piloting a C-82 in France, F-100 fighters at Misawa AB, Japan and the C-133 transport. After the Air Force, life as an airline pilot in Japan and an FAA inspector gave more opportunites to tweak the Grim Reaper's scythe. Along the way, Martin had other non-flying adventures that livened up his life in interesitng ways. A great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Independent Comments about the author, August 6, 2007

By 

James Lewis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close Encounters With the Pilot's Grim Reaper (Paperback)

Mr. Schmidt's review was both complimentary and critical. He states that, "The book belongs in the library of aviation enthusiasts along with books written by Tex Johnson, Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover." This statement parrots unsolicited comments from other readers. A Mr. Sam Elder recently wrote. "Dear Lou, I just finished reading Close encounters with the Pilot's Grim Reaper which you autographed at EAA AirVenture 2007. What a great read. I read unitl my eyes hurt. You have lead an amazing life. It brouight back many memories. Thanks."

Mr. Schmidt, pointed out what he considers several imperfections along with criticizing self-published books. There are many well-written and interesting self-published books, however,book stores shun them out of a sense of protectionism. If it were not for self-published books many World War II veterans would not be able to tell their story. He states that Lou did not employ the services of an editor, but If he had read the entire book he would have noted that Martin employed the services of an outstanding editor and he mentions her by name, along with her qualifications,on page three,under "Acknowledgments." He was also critical of the Microsoft Word,font 12 text used. I found this text easy to read,especially in dim light.

Mr.Schmidt stated that there were some spelling errors,references to things that are not explained elsewhere,that the timeline is not clear, and that Lou used real names when referring to divisive colleagues. His comments in this regard bear some justification and it was the reason the book was reviewed, errors corrected and reissued as Volume Three,on February 15, 2008. His review missed the comments on page two,under Notes, which states,"A few liberties were taken in the sequencing of events, but they all happened" and "The use of pseudonyms when referring to a few colleagues were employed."

Mr. Schmidt seems to have been offended by a pious sensibility toward the author exposing life as it was, not what he thinks it should have been. Lou attempted to provide life like it was as a combat crew member in a wartime enviroment. He infers, incorrectly, that Martin had a girl in every port but unfortunately this was not the case. Apparently, the personal medical matter he found objectionable was most likely the beef tapeworm Lou picked up in Nothern Thailand during the Vietnam War. Surprisingly, in spite of some harsh criticism he gives the book "Four Stars" and states, "Still, the reader is not put off by these problems and Martin's book remains an overall good read."

I feal it was great that Mr. Schmidt took the time to write such an interesting review and hope he finds time to review Lou's other book "Wings Over Persia" which was rated the best aviation writing by the Minesota Aviation Hall of Fame for 2004. It is a true account of Martin's flying as a civilian charter pilot in Iran (1976 to 1979) during the overthrow of the Shah.