Flying Hookers For The Macon: The Last Great Rigid Airship Adventure [Paperback]

Thom Hook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2001

Last of the trilogy by the author of SHENANDOAH SAGA and SKY SHIP: THE AKRON ERA. A comprehensive Lighter Than Air history including air ships, kite balloons, blimps up to the present day CARGOLIFTER. Over 150 photographs, maps, and artwork. Includes appendices, index and bibliography.

Features the careers of many hook-on pilots. Court of Inquiry excerpts and correspondence from key crewmen who served aboard MACON. A review of the many reasons leading to the crash off Monterrey, CA after 23 months of service.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A kind friend gave me a copy of "Flying Hookers." Great story! -- Norman J. Mayer, Chairman, Naval Airship Association

I don't think that there is anyone who knows more about LTA history than Thom Hook. -- John Tegler, Syndicated radio talk show host of CAPITAL CONVERSATION, WCBM Radio,11/26/2001

I have started to read your book and find it most interesting, and like "Shenandoah Saga", it stresses people. -- Captain John C. Kane USN, Ret., Treasurer, Naval Airship Assn

It is exciting from page one to the end of the book. I enjoyed it immensely. -- Ed Gailliot, Historic Aviation Model Maker, 11/28/2001

Very well done. I especially enjoyed the side trips about Moody Erwin and Ernie Pyle. Your style is excellent. -- Binford F. Eubank, Former Pres., Lighter-Than-Air Society

Was delighted to know you completed another airship writing project. [Your books] were tremendous contributions to LTA history. -- J. Gordon Vaeth, Airship Historian, Olympia, WA

About the Author

Lighter Than Air historian, Thom Hook has spent decades researching the mighty rigid airships and the sparrowhawk scout fighters carried within these flying aircraft carriers. Formerly in service to the FAA, the Army and the Navy, he also served in the private sector for a dozen years.

He currently resides in Baltimore Maryland the home of his youth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Airsho (November 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0960150641
• ISBN-13: 978-0960150649
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,799,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Title Fool You, February 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying Hookers For The Macon: The Last Great Rigid Airship Adventure (Paperback)

Spurred on by the title I was somewhat disappointed by its contents. Mr. Hook provides excellent coverage of the how, where, and why the USS Macon crashed but very little as to the day to day operations. You will not find any details of the hanger where the Sparrowhawks were kept or how and what kind of aircraft maintenance could be performed there. There is no step-by-step description of aircraft recovery or launch.

The story and details of the Macon are intertwined with biographies of the most notable LTA crewmen. I said LTA crewmen because the book starts out talking about Mr. Moody Erwin a crewmember on the Akron only (never on the Macon). Unfortunately little is said of their days on the Macon (or Akron), instead Mr. Hook concentrates on their WWII and post WWII or pre Macon careers. This makes for the most unsatisfying reading imaginable when you're after information on the Macon's HTA unit.

There is also an abundance of filler type material. Is a biographical chapter on Ernie Pyle really necessary? There is also a chapter on the Japanese balloon bombs of WWII and the future of lighter than air vehicles.

The book is acceptable if you are after information on the crash of the USS Macon and general information regarding lighter than air vehicles. There is also a very decent bibliography and a detailed crew list. However, if you're like me, thinking that this book is just about the Sparrowhawks you'll be greatly disappointed.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misleading Title and Art Work, April 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying Hookers For The Macon: The Last Great Rigid Airship Adventure (Paperback)

The title and painting on the cover are misleading as this is not a book about the Curtiss F9C-2 or the Macon's aircraft. It is a book about the Macon, people, blimps, the future of LTA etc. There are 9 photos of the author and only 11 of the F9C-2. The bibliography doesn't mention a single periodical and ignores the AAHS Journal (v3, n2) with 40 pages and 22 photos of the F9C-2.