vagabond

I also enjoyed Philip Caputo's "Acts of Faith."

Just finished "The Teahouse Fire" by Ellis Avery. It is a story about an American-French girl left orphaned and alone in late 1880's Japan, just as the that country was opening up to the Western world. This mysterious world is viewed through her eyes as she is taken in by the daughter of a Tea Master and introduced to the Tea Ceremony. However, no matter how fluent she is in Japanese now and essentially part of the family, she is still an outsider.

Currently, I am almost done with Richard Wright's 1940 novel "Native Son" about Bigger Thomas and racism in 1930s Chicago.

Otherwise, I love everything Frederick Forsyth ever wrote with "Day of the Jackal" and "The Dogs of War" as my favorites. Did you know that Forsyth was the youngest fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force at that time?

detpilot

I'll have to pick that up. I enjoyed Black Boy by the same author.

Just finished Sulley's book, looking for something new to pick up.

Senior Skipper

I've read all but Dan Brown's latest book, and have been pleased thus far.

"Next" by Michael Crichton is another good book. He's the guy who wrote Jurassic Park.

joepilot

If you are a pilot, you have to read Earnest Gann. His most famous book is "Fate is the Hunter", but there are also many more.

You might have to go to Amazon for used books to get some of his older books, or even e-bay, but it's worth it.

Joe

Golden Bear

THANK YOU! I can not believe this classic has not been mentioned yet! Then again, I always assumed every airline pilot had read FITH. Regardless, every one should...

If you're into the Golden Age of experimental flight, check out "At the Edge of Space" by Milt Thompson. He's one of the few X-15 pilots who actually wrote about his experience with the program. An amazing read.

Dirtdiver

Winterdance by Gary Paulson. His story of preparing for and running the Ididarod.

I can't remember the name of it, but the story of Ernest Shackleton's ill fated Endurance. (There're several)

I guess when it's cold I read books to make me realize it could be worse!

wags3539

If you're in to history at all, I really enjoyed the Shaara books (Michael and Jeff). I haven't read all of them, but if you're into Civil War era history, definately read The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (the movie Gettysburg was based on this book). These are the books I've read and enjoyed from Jeff Shaara:

-The Glorious Cause (Revolutionary War)
-The Rising Tide (First of a WWII Trilogy)
-The Steel Wave (Second of the Trilogy)
-No less than Victory (Haven't read this one yet, but it's the 3rd of the WWII trilogy and I'm sure it will be good)

I think somebody also mentioned the new Dan Brown book The Lost Symbol which was also a good read.

Kilgore Trout

Wow, lots of great suggestions for further reading. My list of books to seek out is expanding. Thank you.

Just a few responses to some suggestions- I've tried numerous times to read "Moby Dick" and although I love the writing, it almost reads like Shakespeare to me. I've never really been able to read more than about two to three pages at a time with much comprehension of what Melville was saying. I imagine that would improve with due diligence. Ernest Gann, awesome. Vonnegut- yes I've read lots of his stuff and it fortunately (or unfortunately) colored my views early on. Check my screen name and most of my APCF posts for confirmation.

A few other suggestions on my part-
"By Any Means Necessary: America's Secret Air War in the Cold War"
Amazon.com: By Any Means Necessary: America's Secret Air War in the Cold War (9780374117474): William E. Burrows: Books
This one is a great account of Cold War flying by some very brave crews. I read about half during a recent ferry trip of a 172 from Van Nuys to Juneau and gave it away to an old A-4 pilot I met at a small airfield in Colorado. Need to get another copy.

And "Northern Flights"
Amazon.com: Northern Flights (9780871087393): Gerard M. Bruder: Books
I read this one when I was in high school, found a copy at the National Air and Space Museum's gift shop when on a field trip. The book is a great account of flying floatplanes out of Ketchikan. I think it kind of steered me toward where I am in life.

Thanks again. Keep em' coming. Happy reading.

crewdawg

Lone Survivor by Marcus Lutrell

Red Blooded All American Badass....Cop The Truth: Marcus Luttrell Arrested for 'Educating' Foreigner watch the first 3:00 minutes of this video.

Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose

Starting Horse Soldiers by Doug Staton, as soon as it gets here.

meeko031

"five people you meet in heaven" by mitch albom

(not a religous book) a book about a man growing up near a pier who questions his purpose in life and why he never became more than a maintenance worker while other's around him prospered