Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

The new Grub Street catalog arrived a day or two ago, and I thought people would be interested in two new books that Chris Shores is involved in. The first is the complete rewrite, mostly by Yasuho Izawa, of Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945. Dr. Izawa has performed a major review of the existing documentation, and Chris has edited the text, with additional notes from the Allied side. The book is scheduled to appear at a book launch at Duxford in May. This is not a reprint of the US Naval Institute edition of a number of years ago, but a brand new edition. It is listed as 480 pages. The Grub Street Army Units/Aces volume is 340 pages, and the original USNI edition of the Navy Aces/Units is 442 pages.

The second book is the long awaited update to Fighters Over the Desert. This will be a multi-volume series, to cover the entire Mediterranean Theater. The title is Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, Volume One: North Africa, June 1940 -- January 1942. The publisher is estimating the page count as 416 pages; I believe Chris told me that the manuscript is currently about 600 pages long. The book is scheduled for September. Chris considers it the best work he has done to date. Work on the next volume (number unknown) covering May 1943 to the end of October 1943, will start slowly, as both Chris and Grub Street want to see what the sales are like. Assuming everything goes ahead smoothly, the third book will probably be Volume 2, starting January 1942 with an undetermined stopping point.

I would also like to point out three other Grub Street books, two by Andy Saunders (Spitfire Mark I P9374, scheduled for September; and Finding The Fallen, scheduled for October); and one by Andy Bird (Coastal Dawn, seheduled for September).

Check the Grub Street webpage for other forthcoming releases.

Other than being the author of an out-of-print Grub Street book, I have no stake in any of these books.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Is there any publish date for "Fighters Over the Desert"?

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

I am afraid that I do not understand your question. Fighters Over The Desert was published in 1969 by Neville Spearman, and was 256 pages long. It will never be reprinted. This first volume of the Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945 covers the first 88 pages of Fighters Over the Desert. Everything in those 88 pages is in Volume 1 of MAW, and much more.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Sorry, I mean Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, Volume One: North Africa, June 1940 -- January 1942. and I now know it will be published in this September

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

According to Stone & Stone, Shores' new first volume of his new series is going to be published September 2011...we hope.

NM

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Re: release date for the revised English language edition of Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces, 1932-1945.

Frank Olynyk wrote: The book is scheduled to appear at a book launch at Duxford in May.

The Grub Street website has a page for the book which lists the release date as 19 October 2011. I hope that the May book launch is more up-to-date information.

Edward

http://www.grubstreet.co.uk/products...force-fighter/

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Edward,
Chris told me that Grub Street wanted it ready for the May Duxford release, along with Be Bold, the (auto?)biography of ACM Sir Frederick Rosier, to which he has/will supply an appreciation. And the paper catalog I received from Grub Street lists both with a May release date. So I think May is at least the currently intended release month.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

I guess there would be a delay for Mr Shore's book, here is from the stonebooks:
News from Chris Shores
19 April 2011
"I was with Grub Street yesterday, completing the proofreading, insertion of illustrations, etc, in regard to the Japanese Naval Fighter book. John Davies plans to launch it at the Duxford Air Show on 22 May.
"...[i]n regard to the first volume of my Mediterranean Air War series...I am very nearly finished, but am not prepared to rush under pressure and risk spoiling it. So I think that early next year is more realistic. However, it is coming along really well, and I am hoping it will prove to be the best thing I have done yet. While we are numbering the volumes chronologically, I have mentioned before that I will not necessarily WRITE them in that order. Writing something new is definitely more exciting for the author than rewriting, however extensive the latter, and to keep my own enthusiasm bubbling, I may do Vol 3 or 4 after Vol 1, and then return to 2 and 3 later."

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Does anyone know what the format is? As in will it follow the old style like 'Bloody Shambles"; or 2nd Tactical Air Force?

I hope it's the former, I didn't care for TAC.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Jim,
I passed your comment to Chris, and this was his reply:

=======================
Briefly, if anyone has the original FOTD or FOT, they will see at once that they are not the same format as the Grub Street books (they were Spearman books, of course).

Over the years I have had every sort of groan, whine and grizzle over the quality of the paper, the reproductive quality of the photos, which are also criticised as too cramped, too small etc, etc. All of which I have rather tended to agree with. So having worked with Classics on '2nd TAF', I was much happier with the A4 format, particularly so as it also better for maps, which I want to use quite a few of in this series, and for the paper quality and photo reproduction.

Therefore, when negotiating with Grub Street (as Classics also wanted the Mediterranean series), I sweated blood to persuade them to agree to a bigger format, better quality coated paper, better presented, larger photos.

This is precisely why I intend to see how Vol 1 does before I do any more.
=================================

Looking at my copies of 2ndTAF, aside from being too tall for the shelves I have built, the only complaint I would make is the extra wide margins which usually end up blank. I suspect Grub Street will modify the layout to reduce the margins. I like the pictures being near the associated text.

I have no idea what the format will be for MAW, other than it will not be that of Spearman or the earlier Grub Street books, but closer to that of Classics.

What is it about the 2nd TAF books that bothers you?

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Size of the TAF books was a problem - I too had shelves unable to take the larger format books. Frustarting. :) I also found them harder to read, the print size is quite a bit smaller than that in Bloody Shambles, Air War Yugoslavia, Fledgling Eagles et al.

But most of all I found them less readible in content. Chris' early books read easily, the story flowed somewhat like a novel. TAF I found more disjointed in presentation. A personal opinion I know.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Jim,
I passed your comments on to Chris, and he should be able to get with John Davies at Grub Street to review them. I don't know how big the manuscript to Vol 1 is at present, which could impact the point size. And also the size of the paper to use in the book. Hopefully when I get back from a week at NARA II in Washington next weekend, there will be something to report.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Appreciate it Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

I was able to get FOTD and FOT some years ago, used but fine, and at a very good price. I still use them as a reference, as they still are.

But anyway, this is a very good news.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Chris met with John Davies of Grub Street on Thursday and Friday, and they were able to come to some conclusions on the first volume of Mediterranean Air War (MAW). The current manuscript is about 460 pages of A4 paper. There will be about 250 photographs, plus a number of maps. The book will be about the size of Above the Trenches (which was 400 pages), and Chris expects it to be about 450 pages in length, on good quality paper. I don't know if the photos will be mixed in with the text, or bound as signatures in the book (as in Above the Trenches, and Aces High). The format will be similar to the 2TAF volumes, with daily text followed by list(s) of claims and losses for all sides. It should be quite readable, as in this volume he has the space to describe events. Later volumes may be more terse, as the amount of aerial activity increases, although the time being covered is reduced. MAW1 covers almost 19 months, June 1940 to mid-January 1942. The next volume to be written will cover mid-May 1943 to the end of October 1943 (at least as currently planned). Then presumably back to Jan 1942, and so forth. He looks forward to the research and writing on the May-Oct 1943 period with enthusiasm.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

I received my copy of "Japanese Naval Air Force Fighter Units and Their Aces 1932-1945", by Ikuhiko Hata, Yasuho Izawa and Christopher Shores, today. The book is a translation of the two volume book recently published in Japan, in softcover. It is hardcover, 434 pages, in five sections. Section one is Japanese Naval Aviation Fighter Operations, about 125 pages long. Section two is Unit Histories, also about 125 pages long. Section three is Aces (in alphabetical order), about 100 pages long. Section four is A-Z of Fighter Aces Planes, about10 pages, with side views of the aircraft of various aces, 4-5 to a page. Section five is Maps, also about 10 pages long. This is followed by four appendices: List of Naval Fighter Aces; Key Fighter Pilots Killed in Action (by date); Naval Fighter Pilots (lists of the various training classes, with the fighter pilots who graduated in those classes); Claims and Losses (Where Available) During Major Air Battles.

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Frank, how does it vary from the original book "Japanese Naval Aces and Fighter Units in WWII", published back in 1989? Any new material? The original was 442 pages in length.

The only thing I can see that is additional to the original from what you mention above is "Section 1 - Japanese Naval Aviation Fighter Operations". But if that is 125 pages then something else must have been either left out or seriously reduced!

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Definitely new material - I think I doubled or tripled my list of A6M5 aces and markings alone, but I have the Japanese version which is in 2 volumes. Not sure the markings are always correct, i.e command striping, since its obvious that much of this came from text rosters versus actual photos. I suspect some of the color drawings were derived from logbooks as well, since, for instance, supposedly the surviving records for the 3rd Ku I've heard only list pilots as assigned to formations (Buntai/Chutai/Shotai), but no codes, yet there are several new aircraft ids associated with pilots, for example, Hashiguchi in 'X-101' along with 'X-183'. Many of the color drawings in the Japanese versions are culled from previously published sources - 'X-183' or some of the PH stuff for example. A friend of mine got the English version from the UK, along with the Japanese volumes, and said that the aircraft drawings in the English publication didn't compare with the Japanese volumes - i.e. no color. Since I don't have the English version, I can't comment on that other than what my friend told me, but what he usually tells me is spot on. The Japanese versions have a lot lists, some which equate to the unit rosters from the original book, but many more of them. In the aces piece, which is Vol.2 in the edition from Japan, some appear to be claims lists, but many others I haven't figured out yet. My Japanese is pretty much limited to being able to pick out names and dates. There are additional bios of pilots not included in the original version, including some Rufe and Pete guys. Presumably the bios would be included in the English edition. One of the more interesting bits, beyond the new guys and markings, is the 'alphabetical' listing of pilots in the index - all the Yamas, Tas, Nakas, etc. are listed in order, which, if one is willing to do a little work, allows you to figure out names of most of these guys (the ace names are in English with the bios).

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Advance notice alert posted on Amazon for Mediterranean Air War

http://www.amazon.com/Mediterranean-...ecc_rvi_cart_1

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Mediterranean Air War is now listed on both Amazon.com (no price, and only email-signup notification), and Amazon.co.uk (with a price, and able to order). Both list the book with a release date of Sept 19. Thanks to Felix for noting that.

I talked with Chris last night, and he says he will comfortably meet the deadline of mid-July for delivery of the ms. The artwork for the dj is being prepared, as are the maps. He is in the middle of preparing the index, which frequently involves editing the references to Sgt Jones on page n to agree with the same individual as Sgt A Jones on page n+20. And the Introduction still needs to be written.

This is Volume 1 (which neither Amazon notes), covering June 1940 to mid-January 1942; about 80 pages in the original Fighters Over the Desert. This volume has a lot more information on the command structure on all sides, and the bomber units, as well as others not touched upon in FOTD.

With regard to Jim Oxley's question upstream on the Japanese Naval Units/Aces volume, and the size comparison between the two editions: while the new Grub Street edition uses a smaller paper size than the USNI edition, the type is a little smaller and tighter, it is a single column, with smaller margins all around, and no white space left at the bottom of pages/columns. Unfortunately it is economically impossible in England to reproduce the colo(u)r sideviews used in the two volume Japanese edition, so they appear only in grayscale.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Grubb Street has nothing on their website about the book and Amazon only has release date as the 19Sep2011. Frank have you heard anything else?

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Chris turned the manuscript in a couple of weeks ago. He still has some final details to add to the ms, which he will do in the next week or two. John Davies at Grub Street will start the edit process soon. I think I saw a Jan 2012 release date somewhere.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Let us be realistic, say Mr Shores sent his last updated to the publisher in the early October, and then at least 1 month would be reasonable time for editing, and back and forth for some minor changes which would take extra time, then come the holiday season, that means more delay. After all that , send the manuscripts to the factory to print, many cases in foreign countries, transport the books and distribute the books, I will put my bet to Spring 2012 as the earliest time I can hold this book in my hands.
I will drive safely and pray will not suffer some serious illness in this period of time.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Mars:

Do you have a "real" problem here? C. Shores is a highly respected and serious historian. What difference does it make to you if the book is October or early 2012? Will that mean the end of western Civilization?

Let's be patient and let the man do his thing, correctly as possible.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

"We're informed that Mediterranean Air War, 1940-1945, volume one: North Africa, June 1940 - January 1942 by Chris Shores, originally scheduled for publication earlier this month, has been delayed until spring 2012."
(http://stonebooks.com/)
Now I have a wonderful feeling of "I told you so", though of course all book written by Mr Shores are worth waiting for, and frankly I care of his books much more than the “fate of the western civilization” if anyone has to know, and would this book be printed in China as many other books do in nowadays?

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Having just talked with Chris, I am able to report on his plans for The Mediterranean Air War.
Volume One will cover June 1940 to January 1942. It is now scheduled for late February next year. The delay was caused by Grub Street's decision to move quickly on their recently published book on the Nimrod in RAF service, since that type has just been retired from service.
Volume Two, which Chris is about to start working on, will cover February 1942 to March 1943 for the "Eastern" Desert. This is the point at which the Eastern and Western Desert campaigns merged.
Volume Three will cover Torch (November 1942 to March 1943 in the Western Desert, then continue to the close of the Tunisian campaign in May 1943.
Volume Four will cover May 1943 to September/October 1943, depending on how fat the book gets. It could stop just before Salerno.
Volume Five will cover September/October 1943 to the fall of Rome, June 1944.
Volume Six will cover June 1944 to May 1945.
Depending on how fat Volumes Five and Six get, they may or may not include 15th Air Force. If they do not cover 15th AF, it will be covered in a volume (or volumes) of its own.
There is also the possibility of a volume covering, or expanding on, the invasion of Southern France, and following those forces north into Germany. The manuscript was prepared many years ago, but never finished and published.
As far as I know all Grub Street books (military) are printed in England. The main reason for printing in the Far East is the high quality of their color work, so it is possible that Grub Street cook books are printed there. I do not have any, so I cannot check.
These books will take time, but I do not expect any "A Dance With Dragons" (5.5 years) or "The Art of Computer Programming, Vol 4A" (13 years from the 2nd edition of Vol 3) delays.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Excellent, Frank, it is always nice to know such kind of news

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Thanks for this update.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Amazon now has it's pre-order price up. My order is in.:)

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

If anyone has got any contact details (mainly e-mail) of Mr. Shores, I ask him to send me a private message. Thank you!

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Will anti-shipping stikes be covered in detail?

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Felix,
I suppose that depends on what you mean by "in detail". They will be covered, as long as the units involved are based outside of Malta. The Malta units were covered in The Hurricane Years and in The Spitfire Years. I would expect the same level of detail as is found in those two books.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Hi to All !

Please see the attachment

Best to All !

Francisco Pinto

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

I've just noticed that at Amazon the publication date changed to June 2012.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

June is almost here, any new update?

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

When I talked with Chris at the beginning of the month he had just turned in the final piece of the manuscript, a rather large index. So as far as I know the book is still on schedule for publication in June, and available in the US in July. If I get more specific information I will post it.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

It is such a great news, thanks!

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Chris now reports that the Official Launch of Volume 1 of The Mediterranean Air War will be at Duxford June 30. He will be there to sign books. He said the earliest that books could appear in bookstores is June 20, but probably later. So plan on Duxford if you are nearby (choose your own definition of "nearby").

Work proceeds on Volume 2.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Thanks, it is so great!

Re: Forthcoming books from Chris Shores
 

Thanks for alerting me to this, and for reminding me of Duxford. Just booked my tickets, and will pick the book up there!

All the best

Andreas