Pilots and Normal People [Paperback]

Walt Shiel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2005

"A well-written and eclectic mix of short stories that are what short fiction ought to be: short." -Amazon customer review by Andy VL

"His country might forget and her politicians might forgive, but Pete could not, no matter how much he might want to. World War II had changed him forever." -from "Remember" in Pilots and Normal People

"Dolton hadn't seen Jennifer and her long legs in eight months. Not since he'd left her to search for a good night's sleep." -from "Perchance to Dream" in Pilots and Normal People

• Is it really possible to forget a prejudice ingrained during war?
• Does death really close the door to life?
• Can a grounded pilot find another way to return to the sky?
• Are physical laws the same throughout the universe?
• Is aviation mostly intellect or mostly emotion?
• Are criminals just as smart as the law-abiding?
• Can one man fight back against society's increasing crudeness?
• Do space explorers really need a spaceship?

These and many other intriguing questions are explored in Walt Shiel's eclectic short fiction collection, which includes the award-winning "Remember" about a WW II veteran still haunted by memories of violence. Pilots and Normal People presents 21 tales of mystery, science fiction and humanity (six involving pilots and aviation).

"He'd been a captain then, a young man fighting a war that was screwed up, poorly led, and misunderstood by everyone from the White House to the grunts in the field. But it was the only war they had..." -from "Grounded" in Pilots and Normal People

"My job was to serve the community, even when the community suffered from monthly schizophrenia." -from "Give Him a Hand" in Pilots and Normal People

"Roland shook off the unpleasant memory and gave himself to the night, letting the enveloping darkness isolate and insulate him from the world below." from "Siren Song" in Pilots and Normal People

Editorial Reviews

Review

Military Writers Society of America
Very interesting. I especially liked PROFANE about the overuse of profanity and uncivilized people. I also enjoyed GROUNDED about a pilot who was grounded and his wife secretly took lessons to surprise [him]. I would recommend this book if you just want something different to read and get your mind wondering!

We identify with the characters even when they're doing something most of us have never done, like flying an airplane. -- Andrew Grgurich, Marquette (MI) Mining Journal, February 12, 2006

About the Author

Walt Shiel derived the stories in Pilots and Normal People from a career spanning 35 years as an Air Force and civilian pilot (with 4,000 flying hours in a dozen different aircraft) and 20 years as an aerospace engineer (on the B-2, F-16, F-35, and F-22 aircraft programs). Walt has written dozens of articles and several short stories for magazines in the US, England, and Australia. He is the author of the landmark aviation history book Cessna Warbirds and the new historical novel Devil in the North Woods.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Slipdown Mountain Publications LLC (June 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097465535X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974655352
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,923,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Although born in Michigan, I was raised across the US and around the world as an Air Force 'brat.' I started school on the Pacific island of Guam during the Korean War and finished high school in France during the Vietnam War. Shortly after my graduation, Charles DeGaulle kicked all American forces out of the country, but I swear it had nothing to do with me.

Subsequently, I earned a BSEE degree from Michigan State University, a commission and pilot wings from the Air Force, and the hand of a charming young woman named Kerrie. During 20 years as an Air Force pilot (including time in the Michigan Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves), I logged 3400 flying hours, plus another 400 hours as a civilian pilot.

As a civilian engineer, I worked on the B-2 bomber program and the F-16, F-35, and F-22 fighter programs and recently retired from Lockheed Martin. I have completed master's degree coursework in astronomy and business administration, but am now the publisher and managing partner for Slipdown Mountain Publications LLC/Jacobsville Books.

Since 1992, I have written for magazines in the US, England, and Australia and authored three military aviation history books, three novels, and two collections of short stories.

Kerrie and I have two daughters and two grandchildren and live on a 40-acre Michigan farm populated with horses, cats, dogs, and an abundance of wildlife.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Short Stories, June 20, 2011

By 

Andy VL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilots and Normal People (Paperback)

A well-written and eclectic mix of short stories that are what short fiction ought to be: short. Most stories can be easily read in less than 30 minutes, yet the author manages to develop sufficient plot to keep each one interesting. I have no problem recommending this book.