New and upcoming books

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

Originally Posted by Richard T. Eger

Dear Fellow Researchers,

I, too, received the Christian-Schmidt catalog. It seems more cheaply printed than in the past and the Luftwaffe offerings are meager and, as has been pointed out, many are retreads. I hope this isn't a signal that Christian-Schmidt is going downhill, but it certainly gave me pause.

Ditto with the offerings of Zenith Books, which hasn't had anything of significance in ages. It's a far cry from when I used to get their catalog and it was chock full of goodies.

Regards,
Richard

Richard,
I guess the decrease of new titles reflects the impact of internet pages and also lack of hot new material. Most publishers won´t invest a lot of money in a book with well know material. Also the fact that internet provided a fast way to find information and photos is also a challenge to publishers. How many times just released books are offered for download or their contents quickly posted in a "specialized" page??
This not occurs only with Luftwaffe subjects. One of authors I have gave support is Dan Hagerdorn, well know for his books on Latin American aviation. At last three books he wrote are waiting release for a long time, one of them on the T-6, if I remember correctly, is waiting printing for over two years. Hikoki one about Latin American wars is also very delayed. Dan had a long letter published in Small Air Forces Observer some months ago about this challenge and impact on publishing houses.
The new approach on publishing rights, with increasing prices, some of them prohibitive for a small publishing house or a title with little "impact" and potential selling of X books also counts. When rights for photos is high it impacts in the final price very hardly and it must be sold a very high number of books to reduce costs for each one.
I´m facing this challenge in the Fw-58 book. Some people ask no fees, other ones a fair pricing but other aks a high price for each photo. If we be unable to reduce those costs chances to use the photos are very low.
That´s my opinion.

[edwest]

Dear Richard and fellow researchers,


Just a reminder that Christian Schmidt can get any German language Luftwaffe related book in print.

I too, get the Zenith Books catalog, but as noted in the catalog, they are now offering more titles online at http://www.zenithpress.com

Then there is this bookseller who has an interesting mix of offerings: http://www.specialtypress.com

And the little known Aberdeen, this link goes right to their Luftwaffe section. Give it a few minutes to load and scroll down, since book covers do not appear until a little further down from the top: http://www.aberdeenbookstore.com/luftwaffe.htm


And for new and old titles, there's always http://www.aeroplanebooks.com



Regards,
Ed

[Richard T. Eger]

Dear Ed,

I do get the Zenith Books e-mails. I'm getting to the poiint of "Why bother?", as the offerings are pitiful.

As for Christian-Schmidt being able to order any book I might want, there still is a difference in having a catalog full of offerings and just a handful. The catalogs frequently are where one learns of new offerings in the first place. Anyway, it sends a definite signal in my book that things must be on the decline.

Specialty Press does a nice job and also is the North American distributor of Classic Books.

No word back from Aeroplane Books, one way or the other, on a magazine I wanted. That's not good follow-up. As you know, they changed hands.

AvUsk Nebraska bellied-up.

Aberdeen Bookstore has a large selection, although much of it is old and the Luftwaffe isn't as heavily represented as I would like to see. Still, a good representation.

Regards,
Richard

[fsbofk]

I have had good service from Roll Models at http://www.rollmodels.net/standard/catalog.htm Although selling mostly model kits and supplies, they also sell books from a lot of major publishers, including Classic Aviation, Albatros Publications, Eagle Editions, Hikoki, Luftwaffe im Focus, Osprey, Schiffer, Specialty Press, and others. If you know what you're looking for (they don't have details on the titles), it's worth shopping there.

[Uncle Sam]

The Kurowski book on Marseille is probably the German version of the volume from Schiffer - which quite frankly bites.

In what way? I found it to be informative and well written.

Steinhoff's memoir has also recently been reprinted by Stackpole.

K

[krichter33]

I'd like to get a copy of Wubbe's Marseille book, but I can't find one anywhere. I've been looking for a long time. Does anyone know where I can find one.

[Uncle Sam]

Krichter,

Is Wubbe's bio in English or German, and is it more detailed than Kurowski's? eg any more photographs, information?

K

[krichter33]

It's in German, and a lot more detailed. Also has hundreds more photos...