GIVE ME THE WINGS

摘要

Very occasionally a book comes along which one simply cannot put down - especially if it has an aviation theme! There is also delight in a book which can be dipped into for reference as well as for pleasure. This remarkable anthology of 'English' aviation poetry, selected and edited by liveryman and active pilot, Martin Barraclough, more than satisfies both criteria. 'English?' Well that rather stretches the point, as the very first piece was written around 413 BC by Euripides. Another poet is the well-known American, John Gillespie Magee, the words of whose immortal opening line: "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth..." are probably the best known in aviation poetry, with scarcely an airman's funeral passing without his wonderful verses being quoted.