That's Me in the Middle (The Bandy Papers, Vol. 2) [Paperback]

Donald Jack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 8, 2001

Bartholomew Bandy has become an air ace. On the ground he causes disasters wherever he goes, but in the air he’s deadly, shooting down dozens of German planes in the course of thrilling aerial combats. To the amazement of all who know him he becomes Lieut. Col. Bandy and thanks to his new rank he meets all sorts of people, including his fiancee’s memorable family. As a handy (but disposable) war hero, he encounters a number of hair-raising adventures, not to mention English plumbing and an unforgettable honeymoon night. That’s Me In The Middle is exciting, full of military action in the trenches and in the air, and, as it continues to flirt with history, very funny.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A comical tour de force.”
–Montreal Gazette

“Outrageously funny.”
–Hamilton Spectator

“To write good comedy is hard, and yet, when it is of such a high standard as in these two volumes, it does not appear in the least difficult.”
–Quill & Quire

From the Inside Flap

Bartholomew Bandy has become an air ace. On the ground he causes disasters wherever he goes, but in the air he's deadly, shooting down dozens of German planes in the course of thrilling aerial combats. To the amazement of all who know him he becomes Lieut. Col. Bandy and thanks to his new rank he meets all sorts of people, including his fiancee's memorable family. As a handy (but disposable) war hero, he encounters a number of hair-raising adventures, not to mention English plumbing and an unforgettable honeymoon night. That's Me In The Middle is exciting, full of military action in the trenches and in the air, and, as it continues to flirt with history, very funny.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 364 pages
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart (August 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771043791
• ISBN-13: 978-0771043796
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,358,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh Out Loud, August 22, 2001

By 

Justin Scott (Canon City,CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's Me in the Middle (The Bandy Papers, Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

"That's Me In The Middle"-Vol.2 of the hilarious Bandy papers will have you in stitches. Warning: Your wife probably will ban the reading of this one in bed- the chuckles and titters will drive your spouse nuts. The exploits of Bartholomew Bandy during WWI written by an author who understands human nature, military snafus and aviation.This series of books constitute the funniest fiction I've encountered in the english language. If you enjoy the short stories of Patrick McManus you'll love Donald Jack's novels!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious read!, February 22, 2001

By 

William D. Obendorf (Chelmsford, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's Me in the Middle (The Bandy Papers, Vol. 2) (Hardcover)

In 1980, I was travelling in Europe and saw "That's Me in the Middle" in a used book store in Copenhagen. I was attracted to it for two reasons--1) It had WWI aircraft on the cover and I like books on that period, and 2) It was in English...I picked it up without a second look.

When I left town on the train, I happened to be in the First Class car. As I settled down and began reading about Bart Bandy, I kept having to go out into the hallway to laugh out loud, so as not to irritate the various German businessmen and French society ladies with whom I shared the compartment. It was the funniest book I had ever read! After laughing for a while, wiping my eyes, and taking a deep breath or two, I would go back into the compartment, sit down, and start reading, only to have to burst out into the hall again in a few minutes.

Since that time, I have managed to find and read all of the Bandy Papers. They are all just as funny, and are true to the hilarious character of Bartholomew Bandy. Donald Jack writes a good historical novel, and creates such a group of idiosynchratic characters that we immediately recognize. Then, he weaves them all into situations that are just plain funny! I would recommend any of the Bandy Papers and, as this was the first I had read, it holds a special place for me.

Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Cheers for Donald Jack, November 8, 2005

By 

E. Watts "The Whole Ed Catalog" (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That's Me in the Middle (The Bandy Papers, Vol. 2) (Paperback)

I found a British paperback edition of this book used in 1984. Since then I have sporadically searched for the rest of "The Bandy Papers" (including several searches of Amazon.com) without success.

I have to agree with the other reviewers here that it was absolutely hilarious. Although I can't remember much of the book specifically, I recall that it was full of absurd situations of the "Jeeves and Wooster" sort.

(BTW if you've been under the impression that P.G. Wodehouse wrote some kind of ponderous British literature, you have two surprises in store.) I can't understand why Jack has not enjoyed a much wider audience, and he's going straight to the top of my Christmas wish list.