Customer Reviews

Stand BY-Y-Y To Start Engines

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I discovered Daniel V. Gallery's books in the early 70's when I was in high school. Reading about the misadventures of BM1 Fatso Gianinni, CDR "Curly" Cue of the Blue Angels and his other characters, I promptly joined the Navy in 1973 and retired 23 years later. Gallery's books still make me laugh, no matter how many times I re-read them.

First read these back in flight training (Navy). Laughed so hard kept whole barracks awake all night - sides hurt for days. I've since read everything he's ever written, fiction & non. Definitely one of my top 5 all time favorite authors. Buying more for gifts - perfect for pilots or anyone nautically inclined.

Like another reviewer, I was introduced to the Admiral's cast of characters when I was in high school. The books that I re-read can be counted on one hand and this is at the top of that list. When I later served in the Navy I was always told, "The REAL Navy is not like this (station)." To me the "real" Navy is in the Admiral's stories and in real men like the Admiral, a REAL sailor. The world is a better place because of men like him.

I read both of these books many times c. 1970. They were written by a real-life war hero who is able to to turn a sea story into hilarious material suitable for the parlor. As I am influenced by a lifetime (so far) in the Navy, this is on my kids' mandatory reading list. Thanks, RAdm. G., wherever you are. I wish I could have served under you; if you read this, ask me about the power meeting from hell.

Adm. Gallery has taken his keen wit and years of service, to make some of the most hillarious sea tales you will ever want to read. Many of his stories are based on real events. The names have been changed to protect the guilty, as in Curley's Blue Angels posing as advanced formation students to get back at a rather ill tempered flight instructing Major (it really happened). See how Curley loses his plane in the lake and the Adm. disavows all knowledge of him to the local officials. Starts with a belly laugh and gets better with every page. His books are a must read for young and old alike.

You can't beat these stories. Read about the adventures of Curly Cue as his high-flying hijinks turn the airways upside-down.

When is the sun a UFO? What is the difference between an ace pilot and an escaped mental patient? What is a "seabat"? Is it really possible to fly a cargo plane upside down? These books will tell you. And so much more!

If you were ever in the Navy, these books will remind you of the best times. If you weren't, you'll wish you had been. An absolute "10" for laughter!

This delightful book contains many stories collected by the Admiral during his many years in the navy (from WWII to the 1960's). Adm. Gallery has an amazing war record -- including capturing a German U-Boat. While these stories (mostly about ex-Blue Angels pilot "Curly" Cue) are presented as fiction, many are actually true! I know because I have met one of the subjects involved in one of the stories and have heard a tape recording of the incident! So the names, dates, places, and ships have been changed to protect the guilty--but a lot of these stories have a basis in fact. I have read and re-read this book many times, and it just gets funnier. Read all of these books! You will treasure them.

I HAVE READ ALL OF ADM. GALLERY'S BOOKS AND I DO NOT HESITATE TO RECOMMEND ANY OF THEM