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When Second World War Spitfire pilot John Gillespie Magee penned
his poem `High Flight', little did he know that his words would
inspire legions of aspiring aviators who had a similar wish to fly
their `eager craft through footless halls of air'. Founded on years
of detailed research, Roger Cole's book High Flight tells John
Magee's extraordinary story, describing hitherto-unknown details of
his short life, and providing insight into the inspiration for the
poems that have found a unique place in history. Born of an English
mother and American father in Nanking in China, Magee grew up and
was educated in different parts of the world, proving to be a
highly accomplished student. Through his experiences, he developed
principles that made him determined to defend the rights of those
he loved and respected. Exhilarated by flight and finding unique
language in poetry, John was able to use words to express the
emotions and sentiments of all who fly in a manner that is
acknowledged and applauded throughout the world. The outbreak of
war in Europe violated his beliefs, and, determined to fight for
freedom, John left America and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force,
qualifying as a pilot and travelling to England to fight Nazism.
Tragically, John would lose his life, aged 19 years, in an
accident, so never know how his words would serve posterity. Roger
Cole's High Flight traces the path of John Magee's achievement,
revealing an incredible story of human endeavor, vision,
determination and self-sacrifice.
SAS OPERATION STORM is the inside story - told by those who took
part - of the greatest secret war in SAS history. The tipping
point, Mirbat, South Oman, 19 July 1972 is one of the least-known
yet most crucial battles of modern times. If the SAS had been
defeated at Mirbat, the Russian and Chinese plan for a communist
foothold in the Middle East would have succeeded, with catastrophic
consequences for the oil-hungry West. SAS OPERATION STORM is a
page-turning account of courage and resilience. Mirbat was a battle
fought and won by nine SAS soldiers and a similar number of brave
local people - some as young as ten years old - outnumbered by at
least twenty-five to one. Roger Cole, one of the SAS soldiers who
took part, and writer Richard Belfield have interviewed every SAS
survivor who fought in the battle from the beginning to the end -
the first time every single one of them has revealed their
experience. SAS OPERATION STORM is a classic story of bravery
against impossible odds, minute by minute, bullet by bullet.
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