Reach for the sky is a real life story about douglas bader, man who lost both of his legs in flying accident and still became one of the greatest pilots in the world. Some 172,000 copies were sold in the first few months alone. Reach for the sky, by paul brickhill was first published in 1954. The reason for this is douglas bader lost his legs in a aircraft crash. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. Classic biopic about the heroic life of douglas bader, who became a world war ii ace after losing both legs in an air crash. Given that a number of people will know about bader from the film, a section on the making of both film and book, and baders involvement would be useful. He knew the rules of flying and how to bend them to his advantage. Reach for the sky by douglas bader and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Signed by douglas bader on a special bookplate on the halftitle page saying autographed copy of reach for the sky. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your.
Group captain, sir douglas bader, dso, dfc, was a flying ace who flew in the second world war, despite losing both legs in a previous crash. Nov 02, 2001 my brother is obsessed with world war ii, and i must admit it grew on me. Reach for the sky 1956 movie clip helpless cripple. Despite his incredible disability, when england declared war on nazi germany, douglas convinced the british raf to recommission him as a fl. He was shot down over enemy territory and held at colditz for his frequent attempts at escape. Douglas bader reach for the sky animated book summary. The son of civil engineer frederick bader and his wife jessie, douglas spent his first two years with relatives on the isle of man as his father had to return to work in india. He was extraordinary because both legs had to be amputated after a crash before the start of wwii and his tremendous wartime exploits and lifetime of accomplishments were with 2 artificial legs.
Douglas robert steuart bader was born in london on february 21, 1910. During his time at cranwell, bader developed a reputation as a pilot of. Cassell military paperbacks this book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The gripping lifestory of douglas bader, double amputee and second world war. The film stars kenneth more and was directed by lewis gilbert. Jul 17, 2007 for a hollywoodised but basically correct illustration of bader s life try seeking out the movie reach for the sky which is the douglas bader biopic, it is available very cheaply on dvd or you may even find i8t on a cable movie channel or web download. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain by paul brickhill. Bader pursued his career in the oil industry after he decided to leave the raf in 1946. Cassell military paperbacks updated edition by paul brickhill paperback, 384 pages, published 2000. Raf pilot douglas bader kenneth more, hospitalized after a reckless crash and having lost the use of both legs, sneaks from his bed, found by nurse brace dorothy alison, who hears his griping then lays down some law, in the 1956 biopic reach for the sky. Reach for the sky by paul brickhill book cover, description, publication history.
It tells the story of douglas bader a british ace who lost both legs as a result of some aerobatics in a plane crash in 1931. Reach for the sky, first edition, signed by douglas bader. Despite the smiles and apparent comradeship, the picture on the right shows the moment the wartime fighter ace sir douglas bader came face to face. Among the thrilling incidents chronicled in the book are bader s first successful encounter with an enemy plane, his own shoot down, and his succession of escapes from german prisons. Douglas bader was born in england and had a very difficult childhood. A good student, bader won a scholarship to st edwards school in oxford. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film about aviator douglas bader, based on the 1954 biography of the same name by paul brickhill. Group captain douglas bader in a supermarine spitfire, led the battle of britain day anniversary flypast. Reach for the sky by paul brickhill fantastic fiction. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. Excelling in everything he did he represented the royal air force in aerobatics displays, played rugby for harlequins, and was tipped to be the next england fly half.
Brickhills masterpiece tells a tale of heroism without stooping to hero worship. Reach for the sky the story of douglas bader piano addison. The bestselling story of britains most courageous and most famous flyer, the second world war hero sir douglas bader. Douglas bader and the senior term of flight cadets graduating from cranwell. Biopic of raf group captain douglas bader who, after having lost both legs, flew a. Douglas bader is an amazing man, with great courage and determination. Group captain sir douglas bader was commissioned as an officer in the r a f in 1930 but after only 18 months he crashed his aeroplane and became a double amputee caused by my own fault in an aeroplane accident in 1931. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books paperback november 2, 2001. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and full names. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain paperback 320 pages, audiobook after losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, douglas bader fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire to become one of the great heroes of the battle of britain. Jul 09, 2010 ken wilkinson, sylvia salmon, dave clarke, richard jones and ralph ambrose talk about raf fighter ace douglas bader. The story of douglas bader dso, dfc unabridged audiobook, by paul brickhill. Harry day and kenneth more in reach for the sky 1956 michael warre in reach for. Jan 09, 2001 buy the paperback book reach for the sky.
Reach for the sky is a real life story about douglas bader, man who lost both of his legs in flying accident and still became one of the greatest pilots in. Reach for the sky, first edition, signed by douglas bader a place for regular members to sell their aviation stuff noncommercial only pls, and no aircraft for sale forum rules. He tells the inspiring story of the battle of britain from the viewpoint of the few. Douglas bader the square, ip5 3sl ipswich, suffolk rated 4. Story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain by paul brickhill at indigo. This book was written back in the mid1950s, but is still as exciting today and it was over half a century ago. Bader attributed his success to the belief in the three basic rules, shared by the german aceofaces erich hartmann.
Buy reach for the sky book online at the folio society from the worlds most. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Following a visit to the raf college at cranwell, bader set his sights on becoming a pilot and won a place as a cadet at cranwell. Douglas baders log book dunkirk, may and june 1940. Douglas bader was my fathers hero when he was growing up.
Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britian bluejacket books series by paul brickhill at. I have always found him fascinating, a man defined but not. What achievements if any did bader make as chairman. Signed copies of this book appear to be extremely scarce. The story of the spitfire and hurricane by bader, douglas and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Hunt for baders spitfire leads to a foreign field the. The story of douglas bader, legless ace of the battle of britain bluejacket books 9781557502223. Cassell military paperbacks new ed by paul brickhill isbn. The inspirational story of douglas bader, dso, dfc. I do recommend it if you have never heard of the man. He said hed heard of douglas bader, but hadnt read the book.
After losing both legs in an air crash in 1931 and being dismissed as a cripple by the royal air force, he fought his way back into the cockpit of a spitfire to become one of the great heroes of the battle of britain. Douglas bader did not fly again until the outbreak of the second world war, when his undoubted skill in the air was enough to convince a. Reach for the sky is a 1956 british biographical film about aviator douglas bader, based on the. This is the true story of a man who was discharged from the r. In 1931, at the age of 21, douglas bader was the golden boy of the raf. Reach for the sky by paul brickhill, 9780304356744, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
Douglas bader was born in london, england on february 21, 1910. Reach for the sky was the title of a film and a book about baders life released in 1950s. There are some very very good photos of spitfires and hurricanes, these tell what it was like. Nov 02, 2001 bader was first most an artist in the air. Historical records and family trees related to douglas bader. This copy bears baders signature on the front free endpaper. This book is sold on behalf of the michael sobell hospice c. Was it because of the book and film, reach for the sky. Paul brickhill wrote reach for the sky really well. Paul brickhill book, lewis gilbert screenplay 1 more credit. Dec 17, 2016 i used to be unwilling to embrace change. During the 1950s, a book and a film, reach for the sky, chronicled his life and raf career to the end of the second world war. A biography about douglas bader by paul brickhill, reach for the sky, was published in 1954.
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