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  #1  
Old 15th October 2020, 22:17
Edward Edward is offline
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Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

I am a little confused on the different editions of Christopher Shores' Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the British and Commonwealth Air Forces in World War II.

So I'm seeking little clarity before making a purchase.

There are two editions of Volume I with the second being completely expanded and revised.
(Neville Spearman Ltd 1966) - 335 pages
(Grub Street Publishing 1994) - 663 pages

The 1994 revised edition was followed by
Aces High Volume 2: A Further Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Aces of the British and Commonwealth Air Forces in World War II

I believe that there are two editions of Volume 2
(Grub Street Publishing 1999) - 192 pages
(Grub Street Publishing 2008) -256 pages

Shores also wrote a companion book that was published in 2004 by Grub Street.
Those Other Eagles: A Tribute to the British Commonwealth and Free European Fighter Pilots Who Claimed Between Two and Four Victories in Aerial Combat, 1939-1982 (A Companion Volume to Aces High).

It is my understanding that someone wishing to add these tomes to their aviation library in 2020, wanting the most up-to-date versions, should get a 1994 edition of volume 1 and a 2008 edition of volume 2 as well as 2004's Those Other Eagles. Correct?

While I have no evidence that there are later editions of these books I wanted to check with the more knowledgeable historians.

Thanks
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Old 15th October 2020, 23:09
Frank Olynyk Frank Olynyk is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Edward,

There is no difference in the two printings of Aces High, Vol 2 from Grub Street. Both have 256 pages. I got out my 1999 edition and checked. These are not two different editions; they are two different printings.

There are no plans at present for a third edition of Aces High. Chris has stated that he does not plan to do any further books after the completion of The Mediterranean Air War series. He is getting up in years, and has had some minor health problems in the last few years, especially with his eyes.

Enjoy!

Frank.
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Old 15th October 2020, 23:45
Alex Smart Alex Smart is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Just to confirm, the 1994 issue of "Aces High" that I have does have 663 pages .
While the 1999 issue of"Aces High" volume 2 has 256 pages.
Both are Grub Street books.
Vol 2 includes chapters on Squadrons and other Units, Service numbers reference New Names not in vol1 and corrections and additional details for vol 1.
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Old 16th October 2020, 00:24
Edward Edward is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Thank you Frank and Alex!

It may come as a shock to some members of this forum but listings for used books sometimes include contradictory and confusing information about the edition including the page count.

Aces High Volume 2: A Further Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Aces of the British and Commonwealth Air Forces in World War II
(Grub Street Publishing - 1999 printing)
"This volume updates the information in the first volume and adds some new names. Information has been added on the pilots who gained success against the V-1 flying bombs during 1944-45. Detail is also provided on those units in which virtually all the fighter pilots served at some time or another - the fighter Operational Training Units - and of specialist units such as the Central Gunnery School, Fighter Leader's School and Fighter Experimental Units. There is also coverage of the only other conflicts in which British pilots have been able to claim victories since 1945 - Korea and the Falklands Conflict."
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Old 16th October 2020, 06:28
Russell Russell is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Edward

The current Volumes are pretty much as described by Frank, hopefully the following adds a bit more clarity

Aces High Grub St 1994 663 pages, Thick book with a blue cover and blue and white dust jacket.

Aces High Vol 2, either 1999 or 2008, thin book also with a blue cover but with a black dust jacket. This had updates, new aces, and other corrections
Those other Eagles 2004. Thick book with a green cover.

The last is probably the hardest to get, as it did not sell all that well, as despite many protestations, "Aces" as such sell books. Non Aces appear not to.

Russell
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Old 26th October 2020, 06:51
Edward Edward is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Frank Olynyk wrote
"Chris has stated that he does not plan to do any further books after the completion of The Mediterranean Air War series."

He has certainly researched, written and published enough over the decades to earn (many times over) a long vacation from the keyboard and monitor.

I do wish that he could greenlight another printing of his revised four volume series 2nd Tactical Air Force (Classic Publications 2004 - 2009).

Edward
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Old 26th October 2020, 09:30
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward View Post
I do wish that he could greenlight another printing of his revised four volume series 2nd Tactical Air Force (Classic Publications 2004 - 2009).

Edward
The question of a reprint isn’t usually a decision for the author. Publishers decide that.
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Old 26th October 2020, 13:01
Frank Olynyk Frank Olynyk is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Edward,
To follow up on what Nick said. You need to bug Ian Allen to get the books reprinted. You could point out that book dealers are offering the full set of four at $750 to $800, and that only the first two volumes are listed individually at $150 to $200 each.

Enjoy!

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Old 26th October 2020, 16:55
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

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Originally Posted by Frank Olynyk View Post
Edward,
You need to bug Ian Allen to get the books reprinted.
Frank.
It's Crècy who are putting out the Classic aircraft monograph reprints, so I imagine it's them you'd need to approach about 2 TAF.
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Old 26th October 2020, 19:34
Edward Edward is offline
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Re: Seeking Clarity on Editions of Shores' "Aces High"

Thank you Nick and Frank,

My 2019 inquiry to Crecy

"Are there any plans to reprint volumes 1-3 of the Christopher Shores' books 2nd Tactical Air Force ?"

Tue 5/7/2019 4:35 AM
Hi Edward,

Unfortunately there are currently no plans to reprint those titles.

Best Wishes,
Harriet Hirshman
Publishing Assistant
Crécy Publishing
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I had hoped that an author of the stature of Mr. Shores would have some sway over the reprinting of his past works.

I guess now I need to start a petition.

Edward
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