| King of Airfighters: The Biography of Major Mick Mannock, VC, Dso MC Contributor(s): Jones, Ira (Author) |
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ISBN: 1932033998 ISBN-13: 9781932033991 Publisher: Casemate OUR PRICE: $26.96 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: July 2009 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Biography & Autobiography | Military - History | Military - World War I - History | Military - Aviation |
| Dewey: B |
| Physical Information: 0.94" H x 5.02" W x 7.58" (0.90 lbs) 256 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1900-1919 - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A penetrating study of Britain's top fighter ace in the Great War . . . Ira Jones' biography of Britain's top scoring ace of World War I has become the subject of some controversy over the last few years, most notably as it is the source of the claim of 73 "kills" for Mannock, thereby making him the number one scoring Allied Ace of the war. Later research has thrown serious doubt on this claim and indeed Mannock himself only claimed 51 kills. Jones's biography is nevertheless an important account, especially when seen in the context of the time in which it was first written. In particular the biography delves into the mind of Mannock, portraying the singular nature of his character and the true stress that these pioneer air fighters experienced in the last few months of the war. Originally published in 1934 by Ivor Nicholson and Watson in London, the book has been reprinted (most recently in the 1990's by Greenhill Books as part of it's Vintage Aviation Library) and each time has been reproduced from the original 1930's version of the book. This new Casemate edition has been entirely reoriginated. Not a word has been changed, but the original (very dated) type and page layout have been reworked, as has been the format in which the book is presented, to give a beautiful new treatment to this classic of aviation literature. |
Contributor Bio(s): Jones, Ira: - Throughout his service at No. 74 Squadron Jones won several awards and decorations; being awarded the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. Although having a reputation for crashing his aircraft when attempting to land, Jones recorded 37 victories in just 3 months whilst flying the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 during the First World War. After retiring in 1936, Jones was recommissioned after the outbreak of the Second World War, and flew briefly during the Battle of Britain. After retiring again at the end of the Second World War, Jones lived in Wales where he wrote three books on the RFC and RAF. He died in 1960 through complications after a fall at his home in Wales. |