Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.

[Dénes Bernád]

Jukka, this is a self-published book; I understood the author paid the full cost. If so, it's his right to use the font size/type and layout he wanted. To me, the text and photos are primordial, not the layout (even though it could be optimised, I agree).

[edwest2]

Jukka,


There is no indication of the author's skill level as far as formatting and publishing are concerned. I have worked in book publishing for 40+ years and some authors, not referring to this one, think they can lay out a book, choose a font, etc. Most can't. They don't have the knowledge or experience.


This book will not see print in English in my view. An accurate translation is a must, or reviews will immediately appear like: "A poor translation. Get the original."


Personally, I would buy this book even if it was printed on newsprint as long as all of the details and references were accurate. But I have a long list of other books I need to buy first. And I doubt any money would be left over for this one.

[Kurfürst]

Originally Posted by edwest2

Personally, I would buy this book even if it was printed on newsprint as long as all of the details and references were accurate. But I have a long list of other books I need to buy first. And I doubt any money would be left over for this one.

That would be a poor decision in my opinion, if you are interested in the subject. You could buy 10 other books and not get 10% of the information this one has on Me 109 technical development.

[schwarze-man]

Originally Posted by Kurfürst

That would be a poor decision in my opinion, if you are interested in the subject. You could buy 10 other books and not get 10% of the information this one has on Me 109 technical development.

Apologies for my late comment, but having just got this book, I can agree that Kurfürst is absolutely correct!
This book completely defines the technical progress of the DB 605 engines, for this alone, the book is ground-breaking and worth far more than the asking price, IMO. However, do not buy this book for photographs or an attractive story, it is 100% information.

SM

[schwarze-man]

Just a quick point about Michael Baumgartls' great book. There is some confusion about the Bf 109 F propellers in the book on pages 294/295. If Michael would wish to send a message to me on here, I can help him with the detail that he needs!

SM

[Jukka Juutinen]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

Jukka, this is a self-published book; I understood the author paid the full cost. If so, it's his right to use the font size/type and layout he wanted. To me, the text and photos are primordial, not the layout (even though it could be optimised, I agree).

You are missing the point. Nobody is denying his right to saw off his left leg, but the wisdom of such an act may well be questioned. Since there are indications from multiple sources that the cost of printing paper has increased significantly lately, it is pretty obvious that it isn't in the self-interest of the publisher to make decisions that would increase his costs without a corresponding benefit.

And that issue isn't the primary point. Even here many have oohaahed that page count alone without a more nuanced analysis. I have a massive book on submarine diesels. It has some 750 pages in 8.5" x 11" format. Yet, it has substantially less text than the much thinner Fw 200 book by Chris Goss.