Air Vagabonds: Oceans, Airmen, and a Quest for Adventure (ISBN 1588341372) Book Reviews 1-11 Sorted By Most Recent, at VeryWellSaid.com

Didn't want it to end...

A really good bunch of stories about ferrying small (sometimes really small) airplanes across very large oceans and continents in all seasons and all kinds of weather. It was a fun read and when I got to the end, I truly wished that there were more stories to read.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-12-22 09:23:53 EST)

03-10-06

2\2

A Good Read

This is a book about the author's experiences in ferrying light aircraft around the world, mostly from the United States in the mid 1970's to the mid 1990's. It details many of both his and his colleagues adventures around the world from the early days across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans to the and of the general aviation boom and some might say industry in the 1990's. I enjoyed this book and admired the author and his fellow pilots for the risks they took and the skill involved particularly in the early days of ferrying when navigation and communications technology was very primitive compared to todays. I had the privilege of meeting some of the ferry pilots during the period described in this book and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone with and aviation background. It is a good read.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-12-22 09:23:53 EST)

02-03-05

4\4

The best pilot stories ever told

By chance, I happened to meet one of the pilots documented in this book. He is every bit the character that is portrayed within these chapters. I have met hundreds of pilots in my career but none of them had flying stories that could compare to the ones told in this wonderful book. As you move from chapter to chapter you find yourself covering vast distances and soon the reader is alone over the Pacific consuming pages of the book as steadily as the ferry pilots airplanes consumed precious fuel. This is a book of true pilot stories that will captivate every airman and intrigue the layman.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:28 EST)

03-10-04

6\6

Gripping

The mark of a great non-fiction book is its ability to take a reader who has no prior knowledge, experience, or interest in a subject and draw him in so he can't stop turning the pages. Air Vagabonds does just that. Being neither a pilot, or particularly fond of non-fiction, I was somewhat cautious when this book was recommended to me by a friend. But once I started, I felt I was a part of this adventurous, lonely, and yes, sometimes foolhardy way of life.

Did I think the book was compelling? I'm over Greenland. Ice is forming on my wings. The cockpit heater has failed and the inside temperature is below zero. I'm thinking to myself, my god, what the heck am I doing here? Then I look up and realize that I'm in the safety of my easy chair, reading.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:28 EST)

01-06-04

6\6

Excellent !!!

Wow, you won't put it down. This is one of those books that take you by surprise. The author and true adventurer of this book was right on the mark writing it. I can see it now, all his buddies and friends telling him, "hey, this is too much, you should write a book..." This dude did things which both amaze and fascinate. He is your average everyday guy who wanted some adventure and had lots and lots of guts. A better way of describing this guy and his adventures would be with the word "big" a few expletives and the word "balls." The writing style is superb, captivating and easy to follow. Totally well done.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:28 EST)

11-29-03

4\4

The Perfect Gift for Airplane Enthusiasts

Air Vagabonds proved to be a great gift for my brother-in-law who is a recreational pilot. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed it. Vallone has a way of buckling the reader right into the cockpit with his vivid recollections of the many adventures and mishaps experienced among this close-knit band of voyagers. The book also provides us with a geography refresher and a unique look into Africa's apartheid in the 70's. With every journey, I crossed my fingers for these memorable world travelers, hoping they had found favor with their "Trim God."

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:27 EST)

11-19-03

4\4

Air Vagabonds: Oceans, Airmen and a Quest for Adventure

As the daughter of a ferry pilot, I found this book very enjoyable. I grew up listening to my dad describe the adventures he and his fellow ferry pilots had while ferrying planes to Africa, Australia and Europe. Mr. Vallone's accounting of the life of a ferry pilot truely portrays the exploits, adventures and danger these men and women experienced.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:27 EST)

11-18-03

4\4

True Whisky Tango

Growing up I received postcards from all over the world in true Whisky Tango fashion from my father describing the exploits of ferrying small planes across the oceans. Tony Vallone brings to life all of the aviation cowboys I only heard of as a kid and describes a little known industry that has more adventure in far off lands than one book can tell. Like most ferry pilots, Mr. Vallone is a fantastic story teller. From one flight to the next, he does an excellent job of documenting some of these exploits and also retells the history of Globe Aero, a small airplane ferrying operation at the beginning of its era.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:27 EST)

11-07-03

3\3

Facinating true-life adventures!

Imagine ferrying airplanes across oceans and continents to their new owners -- solo! These pilots were having adventures on every flight, battling weather, engine problems, hostile governments, and every other obstacle. It's amazing to read about all the little ins and outs of each location, all the tricks for dealing with the geography and the government officials. It's a fun book, well-written. Like the best story-tellers, he keeps you coming back again and again wanting to hear yet another tale.

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:27 EST)

11-07-03

2\2

Entertaining & Informative

The author did a wonderful job sharing both his own experiences as well as those of his peers in this unique and unknown industry. Very entertaining - once I started it was difficult to put down. The maps were very helpful for those of us who have not traveled the world. I would recommend this to all!

(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-06-14 14:00:27 EST)

10-09-03

3\3

Fascinating Story