[David Brown]

Does your wife ever spend anything on completely non-frivolous "beauty products" (all of of which do exactly what the makers claim, of course) or vitally necessary handbags? Nick Beale

Never.....based on her standards. Actually, I've overstated the situation with regard to being in "deep trouble". My wife does not pretend to understand my fascination regarding the Luftwaffe, she sort of tolerates it. That's not to say that she will hold back an opinion on some of my purchases. But on the whole, I guess she figures that this "vice" compared to others is relatively mild.

You can always ask to return the item. It is available as a download for five dollars. I don't know what the value of this book will be in years from now but I do remember the third volume of Karl Ries's Dora Kurfurst going from $6 to $8, the most I had paid for a book at that time (around 1965). And I was single then too! Flitzer

Maybe it's just me, but I would rather own the original book than a downloaded copy, although there is no way I can justify the cost. It was purchased solely for the enjoyment of learning more about this segment of history. For me, buying this book just felt right.

Anyway, the book (albeit, it looks like a manuscript) arrived on Tuesday.