Surviving Battle of Britain fighter aces were thin on the ground even in 1941, so any new book more than 60 years later from a previously unknown pilot is bound to get noticed. And First Light is not just any book. It might not turn out to be a lasting classic, like Richard Hillary's The Last Enemy or Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, but it is a cut well above the bog standard wartime reminiscences of many retired military bods. For a start Wellum can write, but more than this he has an instinctive feel for a good story. He begins First Light as a fresh-faced, rather obnoxious public schoolboy keen to blag his way into the RAF in March 1939; just three years, two full tours on Spitfires, the Battle of Britain, nearly 100 escorts and fighter sweeps over occupied France and a Malta convoy later, Wellum was physically and mentally burnt out before the age of 22. An old man in a boy's body. His descriptions of the excitement, freedom and, at times, sheer terror of operating in a three-dimensional airspace are vividly powerful, but perhaps his greatest gift is to get across the way the fatigue and the emotional shutting off creeps up unnoticed.

At the start, the death of a friend leaves Wellum devastated and wondering when his turn will come; within the space of a few hundred pages, the failure of a pilot to return is dropped in almost as an afterthought. This is not the response of a man who cares too little, but of one who cares too much. Without being aware of it, he has experienced and felt too much and his mind and body have involuntarily separated. This comes into even sharper relief at the end when Wellum is stood down from active service; he is the only one not to see--quite literally, as his vision has become impaired--that his ailments are rooted in his psyche rather than his body. The only one false note is his desire to see his role as part of a bigger picture; written many years after the events he describes, Wellum sometimes interjects thoughts and feelings about the war that simply do not ring true. That aside, one is left wondering what became of Wellum the man between the war ending and the book's publication. What sense did the prematurely aged fighter pilot make of the post-war age and did he learn to love again? But that, maybe, is the subject for another book. --John Crace

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

Excellent Book, 19 Oct 2008
I received my copy of 'Special Forces Pilot' the day after publication after having waited patiently for publication. I first heard about the book in our local newspaper (The Whitehaven News) as the author is a local resident and have been eagerly awaiting publication. The wait was not disappointing and I finished the book in two days. It is a well researched, fast paced personal account of flying operations during the Falklands War and includes, for the first time, first hand detailed information about the insertion of an SF recce patrol into mainland Argentina. I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in military aviation, military history or just true adventure stories. Hats off to Col Hutchings DSC.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

Excellent Book, 19 Oct 2008
I received my copy of 'Special Forces Pilot' the day after publication after having waited patiently for publication. I first heard about the book in our local newspaper (The Whitehaven News) as the author is a local resident and have been eagerly awaiting publication. The wait was not disappointing and I finished the book in two days. It is a well researched, fast paced personal account of flying operations during the Falklands War and includes, for the first time, first hand detailed information about the insertion of an SF recce patrol into mainland Argentina. I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in military aviation, military history or just true adventure stories. Hats off to Col Hutchings DSC.



An enjoyable read, 20 Aug 2003
Nine Lives is a book that once you pick it up you dont want to put it down because you realy get a feel as to what it must of been like during air combat. The excitement,concentration and the fear. I found Alan Deere to be a very likeable character who not only shows immense courage but humility too. If your an aviation buff and want something thats not too detailed then I'm sure you will find this book an enjoyable read.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

Excellent Book, 19 Oct 2008
I received my copy of 'Special Forces Pilot' the day after publication after having waited patiently for publication. I first heard about the book in our local newspaper (The Whitehaven News) as the author is a local resident and have been eagerly awaiting publication. The wait was not disappointing and I finished the book in two days. It is a well researched, fast paced personal account of flying operations during the Falklands War and includes, for the first time, first hand detailed information about the insertion of an SF recce patrol into mainland Argentina. I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in military aviation, military history or just true adventure stories. Hats off to Col Hutchings DSC.



An enjoyable read, 20 Aug 2003
Nine Lives is a book that once you pick it up you dont want to put it down because you realy get a feel as to what it must of been like during air combat. The excitement,concentration and the fear. I found Alan Deere to be a very likeable character who not only shows immense courage but humility too. If your an aviation buff and want something thats not too detailed then I'm sure you will find this book an enjoyable read.

A long-time favourite, 02 Oct 2007
I must admit I didn't buy this book from Amazon, in fact I have had it more than 25 years and I still enjoy reading it.

Gripping descriptions of bombing missions are interspersed with other anecdotes, often very funny and irreverant. You get a real feeling of what it was like and how Currie and his crew coped when others didn't.

Highly recommended.

Lest we forget, 09 Feb 2007
Probably one of the greatest books ever written about life on a bomber station during the war. In today's world we cannot begin to contemplate how stressful it must have been flying to Germany night after night "running the gauntlet" and defying the odds!

Wickenby (where Mr Currie was stationed), in Lincolnshire is a small village with its airfield just down the road, and this book is so evocative of the times and the area. You'll find yourself wanting to visit!

Jack Currie is one of my heroes (in the true sense of the word)as are the many 1,000's like him who we have to thank in order to be able to write reviews like this!! He deserves the highest accolade having written such a poignant book. I salute you, Sir!



Lancaster Target, 04 Jul 2004
This is the most amazing book. My grandfather flew Lancasters in the 2nd World War, and this gave me a real insight into the astonishing things that happened during that time, the risks the crews faced, and the lottery of survival. I cannot recommend it strongly enough, it is thoroughly readable, and manages to tell the story of one crew in a human, touching, yet humorous way.

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

Excellent Book, 19 Oct 2008
I received my copy of 'Special Forces Pilot' the day after publication after having waited patiently for publication. I first heard about the book in our local newspaper (The Whitehaven News) as the author is a local resident and have been eagerly awaiting publication. The wait was not disappointing and I finished the book in two days. It is a well researched, fast paced personal account of flying operations during the Falklands War and includes, for the first time, first hand detailed information about the insertion of an SF recce patrol into mainland Argentina. I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in military aviation, military history or just true adventure stories. Hats off to Col Hutchings DSC.



An enjoyable read, 20 Aug 2003
Nine Lives is a book that once you pick it up you dont want to put it down because you realy get a feel as to what it must of been like during air combat. The excitement,concentration and the fear. I found Alan Deere to be a very likeable character who not only shows immense courage but humility too. If your an aviation buff and want something thats not too detailed then I'm sure you will find this book an enjoyable read.

A long-time favourite, 02 Oct 2007
I must admit I didn't buy this book from Amazon, in fact I have had it more than 25 years and I still enjoy reading it.

Gripping descriptions of bombing missions are interspersed with other anecdotes, often very funny and irreverant. You get a real feeling of what it was like and how Currie and his crew coped when others didn't.

Highly recommended.

Lest we forget, 09 Feb 2007
Probably one of the greatest books ever written about life on a bomber station during the war. In today's world we cannot begin to contemplate how stressful it must have been flying to Germany night after night "running the gauntlet" and defying the odds!

Wickenby (where Mr Currie was stationed), in Lincolnshire is a small village with its airfield just down the road, and this book is so evocative of the times and the area. You'll find yourself wanting to visit!

Jack Currie is one of my heroes (in the true sense of the word)as are the many 1,000's like him who we have to thank in order to be able to write reviews like this!! He deserves the highest accolade having written such a poignant book. I salute you, Sir!



Lancaster Target, 04 Jul 2004
This is the most amazing book. My grandfather flew Lancasters in the 2nd World War, and this gave me a real insight into the astonishing things that happened during that time, the risks the crews faced, and the lottery of survival. I cannot recommend it strongly enough, it is thoroughly readable, and manages to tell the story of one crew in a human, touching, yet humorous way.

It all came back!, 07 Sep 2008
Having been a modeller/wargammer from the age of 8 through to 18, the book brought back the joy and naivety of those long lost days, when painting my soldiers seemed more important than exploring the world outside. Probably a read only for those of a similar background, though even some of those men may not want to be reminded of their uncool youth.

Thank God for Harry Pearson., 20 May 2008
Before we start this review,I will confess I am a wargamer,no I am not a warmonger,neither do I sit in some dark bedroom watching re-runs of Sky tv's latest offering of the blitzkrieg.
I first came across Harry Pearson's work when I was given a copy of the Far Corner,which was a far superior book than that b*****s about being an Arsenal fan.
That book summed up what football used to be about,crap beer and violent football tackles,and a damn good laugh at ourselves.
But I digress,Harrys latest offering is probably only meaningful to a small percentage of the British population,ie. males,but the book is a gem,encapsulating a lot of what makes the British so interesting.
In the' precious' protected world that we now have to inhabit,it is refreshing to read,and laugh at ourselves,as a not so small group of grown men wax lyrical over badly cast lead figures,and poorly painted scenery,meant to resemble some far flung battlefield.
Whenever the news becomes depressing,I reach for this book and re-live some memory that this book always seems to trigger.
well done,Hary Pearson.

Not what you'd think from the cover, 12 May 2008
It seems the reviewers are split into two camps on this book. I was looking forward to something Boys' Own-ish, a bit silly, a bit nostalgic, a bit fun: rather what the cover suggests.
What I got was something that started out that way, but which quickly mutated into chapter after chapter of lists about model/toy soldiers, their fans, and little bits of their history.
I gave up in disgust about half way through - a thing I hardly ever do. If you are a keen wargamer, this might be just the thing for you. If you aren't, I wouldn't touch it with a twenty-foot battle lance.

Inductive Entertainment, 06 May 2008
We Yanks and you Brits approach popular entertainment from opposite sides.

In the US, we boil all of our culture down to the lowest common denominator. Our cuisine is nothing but different levels of salt and sugar. Our movies are sex and violence held together by the thinnest thread of plot. And don't get me started on our popular music. The result is that we create totally forgettable products which nevertheless appeal to people around the world.

In the UK, your expertise is your ability to puzzle out universal truths out of the individual and even eccentric. The result is that your culture creates more "popular culture" classics - think Sherlock Holmes or the Rolling Stones - than the US ever will.

Achtung Schweinehund is a perfect example. Mr. Pearson delivers a nostalgic and very funny discourse on an extremely narrow segment of society: wargamers, people who have never served in the military (and indeed, in many cases, are horrified by the thought) but who live and breath the military strategist's atmosphere. In enlightening chapters, he covers every segment of that hobby, including models, reenactments, board games, novels, toy soldiers and a host of others.

You needn't be much of an afficianado to enjoy this book. Mr. Pearson's ability to capture the humor, fanaticism, good nature, profiteering, in other words the pure humanity of the people who indulge in the hobby, teachs the reader larger truths about human nature. The American military hobbyist (except, perhaps for the most fanatical) will find large areas of the book to cover terra incognita, revealing the somewhat nationalistic aspect of the products and culture of this hobby.

There are no doubt a number of errors in a book which is based more on memory than on research, but I found only one. Frank Sinatra did not play a German general in the movie Von Ryan's Express. He played an American colonel who was a prisoner of war and who masqueraded as a German train guard in order to seize the train and escape to Switzerland.

I half suspect that Mr. Pearson knew that and slipped that error and some others into the text as a sort of test to determine just how much of a military hobbyist one is: the more errors you spot, the more fanatical you are. If so, I guess I flunked the test, but that didn't prevent me, and wouldn't prevent anyone, from enjoying this book.

How we worked out our identities., 06 Jan 2008
This is somewhat of an apologia for the whole area of male interest in war, toy soldiers, wargames, you name it. The author seems to be addressing this in his own life, objectively, self-deprecatingly, somewhat sardonically, and hilariously. He genially adumbrates the characteristics of the adult miniature militarist, but how can he stop himself, and why should he? As Pearsons friend remarks, what harm are they doing anybody else? What indeed. A serious point is the centrality of games playing in personal and social development, right up to the use of wargames and scenarios at the highest political and military levels throughout modern history. Bismarck, for instance, played chess with all the monarchs of Europe, to gain psychological insights as a tool for future diplomatic dealings, a striking illustration of his cunning. It is part of what we became as adults, that phase when our childhoods coincided with the reinvention of World War Two. It is amazing, in retrospect, to realise the unconscious roles into which we slipped in our games. A boy would always be assigned the same role, with very little question, either as British (seldom American) soldiers, or German and Japanese (and never Italian). When a certain kid was playing with us the action always took place in the Pacific theatre, because, with his buck teeth and round NHS specs, he was the inscrutable Japanese officer ("Ah, so, honourable flend of Nippon" etc), a niche he perfected and made his own, becoming part of his persona. In such ways did we negotiate our group relationships. If, however, unlike me, you have grown out of that sort of thing, I think you will find Part 1 of the book by far the most entertaining, with the joy of half-remembered familiarity. The rest is more the province of we traduced in the eyes of society!

first light, 20 Nov 2008
Excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I,ve now flown a Spitfire, as a passenger of the author! My only criticism is the gaps that appear, it seems to jump missing what I would consider necessary to the storyline. However it is still a must read. My admiration for the author grew with every page, definately one of the "few".

Excellent. There is nothing like it, 02 Oct 2008
One of the best personal accounts of WWII have ever read.

Section where he is lost over Kent coast after a chase through heavy rain & low cloud & low on fuel had the hairs on my neck standing up.

A classic

Probably the finest personal account of any WW2 Serviceman, 19 Sep 2008
In many ways I wish I hadn't read this book. This must seem like an odd thing to say given that I've assigned this book 5 stars, but the problem is that this book is so good that I judge all autobiographies of this era by it, and nothing else (as yet) has come close. It really is one of the finest accounts of a serviceman's experiences in WW2. I have read many accounts of personal experiences in WW2 (I own around 60 books on this topic), and while many have been truly excellent, none have touched me in the same way as this book. Thoughtful, and thought provoking and with an honesty which makes the reader feel that they are inside that spitfire with him, this truly is a book that should be treasured. Geoffrey Wellum has written an account of WW2 through his eyes which will still be being read in hundreds of year's time.

Essential reading, 12 Sep 2008
Anybody with a passing interest in aviation or World War II that hasn't already done so should do themselves a favour and read this book.
It is truly touching, engaging and riveting, reading as intimately as if the author was sat across the table, relating the story first hand.
It bristles with detail and authenticity throughout and yet still manages to affect the reader emotionally with the intimate thoughts and reflections of the author in his darker and more fraught moments.
This book deserves to be read by the widest possible audience, especially given the complete omission of any Word War related lessons in schools these days. It truly is startling to consider the attitudes of the people back then: the sheer bravery and sacrifice.
I would truly love to shake the hand of this man, and the others like him who simply aren't given the respect and status they deserve. Absolute heroes. Geoffrey - thank you for this book and the sacrifice you and your generation made.

"First Light" is FIRST CLASS!, 12 May 2008
The number of reviews for this book should be recommendation enough, gripping from start to finish and a fitting tribute to all Battle of Britain pilots and not least Geoffrey Wellum himself!

This blokes done the lot, 23 Jan 2007
From Spitfire through Meteor, Mig 15 in Korea (yes they used his engine), Sabre F86, Folland Gnat, Fiat, Harrier, Bypass engine that lead to the WartHog, RB211 and TriStar, even the current on hold re-engine of the B52 with the RB211s sucessors. Is there anything flying today Hooker didnt design or have a hand in.

The remarkable story of a remarkable man, 06 Apr 2005
If you have not yet heard of Sir Stanley Hooker, this will come as a treat. As a young (and brilliant) mathematician he joined Rolls Royce near the outbreak of WW2 - to find that the Merlin engine which powered the all-important Hurricane and Spitfire was down on power due to a supercharger design flaw that only he had spotted due to his mathematical abilities. In finding that extra power he will have earned the gratitude of a generation of pilots and by extension the gratitude of the nation whose existence depended on their ability to out-fly the invaders.
There is more... Throughout the war he continuously extended the development of the aircraft enigine superchargers that he had mastered, and became one of the first to appreciate and support Whittle in the development of the Jet Engine. Hooker was one of the key figures in the success of Rolls Royce jet engines, and went on to develop the Key ingredient in the Harrier Jump-jet, it's dedicated power plant.
And more, much more....
"Not much of an Engineer" has its dramatic personal twists, and Hooker is ruthless with what he saw as his own personal failings. In addition to his mathematical and engineering skills, he writes both fluently and with feeling.
Beg, borrow, or buy it, and read it. Highly recommended.

An Inspirational Engineer, 22 Feb 2005
I think I have read this book five times, each time I find something new in it. Hooker shows, time and again, that very often, a simple approach to a seemingly intractable problem can produce extraordinary results. The book, which is "unputdownable", should be required reading for all undergraduate engineering students.

A very easy read on a difficult subject (Turbine engines), 11 Oct 2001
As a lover of Autobiographies I thought this book was very easy to read and also a bit of an aid to my personal studies. I have a lot of respect for this man who brought Rolls Royce out of a rut of self destruction.Anybody with an interest in aviation should enjoy this but it is an easy read. The equations in the back of the book are very easy to understand.
Enjoy...

Autobiography of Britain's leading 20th Century engineer., 24 Jun 1999
Stanley Hooker was probably Britain's foremost engineer of the 20th Century. An outstanding mathematician, he doubled the power of the RR Merlin, designed the Pegasus in today's Harrier, and, with Sir Kenneth Keith, rescued Rolls-Royce from oblivion. This book is a highly readable account of his contribution to aviation. The son of a Sheerness docker, he writes with clarity, pace and humour. Technical topics are contained in a full appendix, the principal one being the formula he developed which enabled him to transform the Merlin and, hence, the Spitfire, by boosting the input of the one and then two superchargers.

Bill Bedford, the Harrier's original test pilot, publicly wondered if Hooker was actually Britain's greatest engineer ever. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Vincent Orange is a master of his craft., 01 Oct 2008
I confess to some bias as I've read several of Vincent Orange's books on the senior Royal Air Force Commanders of World War II, in particular his book on Sir Keith Park. This can be seen as a companion volume and it is very good indeed. Striking a happy balance between the reader who has no previous knowledge of Air-Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, during the Battle of Britain and those academics like myself who are already great admirers'. Whilst this is not the first full-length biography of Dowding, that honour goes to Basil Colliers' book "Leader of the Few" published in 1957, it certainly is the most thorough, and covers aspects and periods of Dowding's life not touched by other authors, who mainly concentrate on the Battle of Britain period.
I do have one or two criticisms, firstly certain important events in Dowding's life could perhaps have been covered in more depth, I highlight his continuing problems with "Boom" Trenchard, and in particular his struggle to gain a permanent commission in the R.A.F. after the Great War. More importantly Dowding's life after 1945 and his second marriage in 1951 and his views on Spiritulism and his fight together with his wife again cruelty to animals, but these are small points. My biggest niggle however is the fact the numbered references are all listed to the rear of the book and not after each chapter, this gets tiresome after a while.
But the book is a facinating read and I recommend it to everybody.

A thrilling, yet poignant read, 04 Nov 2006
Although not quite as good or anywhere near as long as First Light by Geoffrey Wellum, I couldn't put this book down and, as with Geoffrey Wellum's excellent book, was sorry to finish it. They both paint a very vivid picture of what it was to be a fighter pilot in run up to the summer of 1940. The wonderful freedom and exhilaration they felt during training, the edge of the seat descriptions of aerial combat and their extremely moving thoughts when one of them fails to return - in Spitfire Pilot there seems so many.

Spitfire Pilot ended far too quickly unfortunately, as did the life of it's author, which is what makes this such a poignant read.

Excellent Book, 19 Oct 2008
I received my copy of 'Special Forces Pilot' the day after publication after having waited patiently for publication. I first heard about the book in our local newspaper (The Whitehaven News) as the author is a local resident and have been eagerly awaiting publication. The wait was not disappointing and I finished the book in two days. It is a well researched, fast paced personal account of flying operations during the Falklands War and includes, for the first time, first hand detailed information about the insertion of an SF recce patrol into mainland Argentina. I would fully recommend this book to anyone interested in military aviation, military history or just true adventure stories. Hats off to Col Hutchings DSC.



An enjoyable read, 20 Aug 2003
Nine Lives is a book that once you pick it up you dont want to put it down because you realy get a feel as to what it must of been like during air combat. The excitement,concentration and the fear. I found Alan Deere to be a very likeable character who not only shows immense courage but humility too. If your an aviation buff and want something thats not too detailed then I'm sure you will find this book an enjoyable read.

A long-time favourite, 02 Oct 2007
I must admit I didn't buy this book from Amazon, in fact I have had it more than 25 years and I still enjoy reading it.

Gripping descriptions of bombing missions are interspersed with other anecdotes, often very funny and irreverant. You get a real feeling of what it was like and how Currie and his crew coped when others didn't.

Highly recommended.

Lest we forget, 09 Feb 2007
Probably one of the greatest books ever written about life on a bomber station during the war. In today's world we cannot begin to contemplate how stressful it must have been flying to Germany night after night "running the gauntlet" and defying the odds!

Wickenby (where Mr Currie was stationed), in Lincolnshire is a small village with its airfield just down the road, and this book is so evocative of the times and the area. You'll find yourself wanting to visit!

Jack Currie is one of my heroes (in the true sense of the word)as are the many 1,000's like him who we have to thank in order to be able to write reviews like this!! He deserves the highest accolade having written such a poignant book. I salute you, Sir!



Lancaster Target, 04 Jul 2004
This is the most amazing book. My grandfather flew Lancasters in the 2nd World War, and this gave me a real insight into the astonishing things that happened during that time, the risks the crews faced, and the lottery of survival. I cannot recommend it strongly enough, it is thoroughly readable, and manages to tell the story of one crew in a human, touching, yet humorous way.

It all came back!, 07 Sep 2008
Having been a modeller/wargammer from the age of 8 through to 18, the book brought back the joy and naivety of those long lost days, when painting my soldiers seemed more important than exploring the world outside. Probably a read only for those of a similar background, though even some of those men may not want to be reminded of their uncool youth.

Thank God for Harry Pearson., 20 May 2008
Before we start this review,I will confess I am a wargamer,no I am not a warmonger,neither do I sit in some dark bedroom watching re-runs of Sky tv's latest offering of the blitzkrieg.
I first came across Harry Pearson's work when I was given a copy of the Far Corner,which was a far superior book than that b*****s about being an Arsenal fan.
That book summed up what football used to be about,crap beer and violent football tackles,and a damn good laugh at ourselves.
But I