- Hardcover
- Publisher: Hamlyn (1 Jan 1999)
- ISBN-10: 0760716765
- ISBN-13: 978-0760716762
- Product Dimensions: 28.2 x 23.1 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,458,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Aces High serves to remind us that, if not an entirely scrupulous politician, nor a perfect husband, Alan Clark really was a superb military historian. There has evolved something of a myth about the war in the air between 1914-1918. The myth goes that, while in the filth and gore of the trenches below, any idealism and chivalry quickly sputtered and died in the purer air above; the last noble heroes battled with each in one-to-one dogfights like knights of old. It is a myth that Clark shoots down in flames, with characteristic iconoclasm. One of the great RFC aces was Mick Mannock, famed for his encounter with a training instructor, out in a formation of six with five of his very green-horned pupils. Mannock first shot down the instructor and then ruthlessly pursued each of the novices and shot them down one by one. This wasn't chivalry, it was war, and although more elegant to watch, it was every bit as lethal as Passchendaele. The book is also superbly illustrated; there is a photograph of another ace, Albert Ball, who died at the age of 20. Here he is in black and white, looking like Rupert Brooke, only more handsome, clean- shaven, eager, boyish ... and quietly murderous. It is an image both troubling and unforgettable--much like the book. --Christopher Hart
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
A powerful and absorbing narrative history by Alan Clark, author of The Donkeys and Barbarossa. Richly illustrated in colour and black and white from contemporary sources. With a distinguished reputation as a military historian, Alan Clark is also well known as a Conservative politician and as the author of the bestselling Diaries.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As well as a great diarist the late Alan Clark was a very good popular historian. Aces High was a slight departure for him in that field - a large format work covering the air war in WW1. With a less dense, but still highly informative, text his characteristic waspishness surfaces more often that in his WW2 histories. His choice of illustrations is first rate combining contemprary photographs with diagrammatic illustrations and the ubiquitous Michael Turner paintings. What always impresses about Clark as a military historian is his lack of peevishness about the purpose of war, death, and his genuine fascination with the tools man has created to serve that purpose. You also get a great sense of Clark's admiration for the flyers of WW1 who in their chivalry, sadism and handsomely tailored uniforms resemble very much the author himself. You can see why their story has brought out the best in his writing.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alan Clark's "Aces High" is a superb introduction to the airwar over the Western Front during WWI. The text is wonderful, giving a great overview of the whole conflict, and also being packed with quotes, anecdotes and useful facts. It is also chock-a-block full of fantastic photographs, coloured profiles of some of the famous aircraft, and some great paintings by Michael Turner of duelling aircraft.
This is a simply excellent book which is informative, beautifully illustrated, and gives a great overview of the coming of age of the fighter ace over the course of the Great War. Very highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Alan Clark was as celebrated a military historian as he was notorious as a politician. Aces High is relatively minor Clark, but it provides an excellent overview of the evolution of the fighter ace, accompanied by excellent drawings and photographs.
Concise, elegiac, beautifully-presented, this is a compelling work of history.
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