Sagittarius Rising
By (Author) Cecil Lewis
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Frontline Books
11th April 2009
1st June 2009
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
Biography: historical, political and military
European history
First World War
940.44941092
Paperback
344
Width 138mm, Height 216mm
Sent to France with the Royal Flying Corps at just seventeen, and later a member of the famous 56 Squadron, Cecil Lewis was an illustrious and passionate fighter pilot of the First World War, described by Bernard Shaw in 1935 as 'a thinker, a master of words, and a bit of a poet'. In this vivid and spirited account the author evocatively sets his love of the skies and flying against his bitter experience of the horrors of war, as we follow his progress from France and the battlefields of the Somme, to his pioneering defence of London against deadly night time raids. AUTHOR: Cecil Lewis distinguished himself in action with eight victories throughout WWI and was awarded the MC. After the war he became a flying instructor in China and later achieved fame as one of the founders of the BBC, and as a respected playwright. He died in 1997.
"...brings to life the illustrious career of a passionate fighter pilot...engaging and spirited account...beautifully written and by turns horrifying, moving and exhilarating, this is a stirring tribute to the remarkable young men who risked their lives daily in the golden age of aerial combat."-- "Lone Star Book Review"
Cecil Lewis distinguished himself in action with eight victories throughout WWI and was awarded the Military Cross. After the war he became a flying instructor in China and later achieved fame as one of the founders of the BBC and as a respected playwright, winning an Oscar for the screenplay of Pygmalian. He died in 1997.