Our Birthing From Within Keepsake Journal
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent preparation and keepsake
  • Big, beautiful, and inspiring
  • Our Birthing From Within Keepsake Journal
Our Birthing From Within Keepsake Journal
Pam England
Manufacturer: Birthing From Within Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Pregnancy & Childbirth | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Journal WritingJournal Writing | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Family HealthFamily Health | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
MotherhoodMotherhood | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ReferenceReference | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation
  2. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
  3. The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth

Accessories:
  1. Health o Meter  HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
  2. Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0971910200

Book Description

The Keepsake Journal is a parents' extra-ordinary companion workbook for the Birthing From Within book or classes. This hardbound journal with 278 beautifully designed and illustrated pages documents highlights of pregnancy and postpartum. There are pages for journaling and drawing your innermost thoughts, what you are learning in your childbirth classes and prenatal appointments. There is a section just for dads, and one that focuses on preparing for birth from the baby's perspective. Many pages correspond with favorite exercises from the Birthing From Within book. Over 80 pages are devoted to preparing for postpartum and recording your birth story and postpartum anecdotes.

Your Keepsake Journal is 8 1/2 x 11 inches and hardbound to endure lots of use and be enjoyed by your children and grandchildren for years to come.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent preparation and keepsake.......2004-08-18

What a wonderful companion book to Birthing From Within. The Keepsake Journal has plenty of good information, practical exercises to prepare for labor and childbirth, as well as some pages for recording important information during the first year. It incorporates journaling, art, and pain-coping exercises all in one book! I highly recommend this for anyone expecting a baby or looking for a gift. It is better earlier in the pregnancy.

5 out of 5 stars Big, beautiful, and inspiring.......2004-04-12

I am lucky to have one of the initial copies of this journal and I am so impressed I wanted to write a review. This is a real gem, not only because of the wonderful content, but because of the beauty in the book itself. We always say not to judge a book by it's cover, but I think the cover is one of my favorite parts! It is hardcover. It will last on my bookshelf for many years. Inside, the reader is guided through hands-on exercises that help prepare for birth and parenting, as well as space to record memorable events through the first year. It truly is a keepsake. I highly recommend it for expecting couples.

5 out of 5 stars Our Birthing From Within Keepsake Journal.......2004-04-11

With so many choices for documenting your pregnancy this book stands alone. It does so much more than encourage the reader to journal their journey through pregnancy. It asks thought provoking questions and truly helps to prepare the reader for pregnancy, labor and postpartum. The pages are thick enough that parents' can actually put their art work directly in the book. This book takes the ideas and processes described in "Birthing From Within" by Pam England and Rob Horowitz, and helps walk parents through them, step by step. So that while they preserve their many memories of their pregnancy, baby's birth and early childhood they are in turn learning how to be born as parents. Almost every child loves to hear about their birth. Here is a book that helps the child to know his parents and helps the parents preserve who they were before, during and after their baby rocked their world. What a loving legacy to pass on to your child. This journal will become a precious family heirloom, to be treasured for generations to come. I can't encourage expectant parents enough to buy this book.
Welcome to Our Family: A Baby Memory Book
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • Disappointing
Welcome to Our Family: A Baby Memory Book
Linda Spivey
Manufacturer: Harvest House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

InfantsInfants | Babies & Toddlers | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0736916326

Book Description

New parents or parents–to–be will record their great adventure alongside beloved artist Linda Spivey’s presentation of Noah’s journey, complete with an ark full of adorable animals.

Cheery, decorated pages showcase Mom and Dad’s reflections, hopes, and dreams—from the time of the big news to the delivery on through the child’s early life. Generous space and helpful questions inspire parents to take note of

With warm colors, fanciful paintings, and art–lined pages, a growing family will enjoy recording the happiness, love, and promises surrounding the addition of a special child.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Disappointing.......2006-03-09

For a baby memory book it is really lacking in space. I love Linda Spivey's work and, in fact, used a previous book for my older son. The wording is very special, but the pages and binding are entirely too small for a memory book. Storing mementos in it is out of the question.
Our Baby: A Journal
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Tailor made for us!
  • Baby Journal
  • The Ultimate BEST Baby Book
  • The Ultimate BEST Baby Book
  • Shopping on the internet for my 1st baby whilst living in UK
Our Baby: A Journal
Collins Publishers
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Child CareChild Care | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Journals | Accessories | Formats | Books
BabyBaby | Journals | Accessories | Formats | Books
Blank BooksBlank Books | Journals | Accessories | Formats | Books
BabyBaby | Journals | Book Accessories | Our Favorites | Gift Ideas
BabyBaby | Journals | Our Favorites | Gift Ideas
Accessories:
  1. Health o Meter  HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
  2. Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 000255447X

Book Description

A keepsake journal to commemorate the pregnancy, birth and achievements of the first few years of a child's life. With ample space for photos, memorabilia, and written descriptions, the journal is structured by the following headers: waiting for baby, baby's shower, weighing in, first photos, birth certificate, birth announcement, first day, baby comes home, religious ceremony, baby's food, baby's sleeping, first outing, physical firsts, emotions and intelligence (first words, phrases and expressions, what made baby laugh or cry), baby's first haircut complete with pouch for a lock of baby's hair, favorite things, progress chart of physical growth through the second year, first major holiday, toilet training, illnesses, school, and special moments.

If you have a penchant for times gone by, this keepsake journal has a nostalgic design you will appreciate. Spiral bind, paper-over-board, with gold ribbon closure, 92 pages.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Tailor made for us!.......2002-11-25

Over a year ago we ordered this book for our first child - and we have been thrilled with it. Right away I was pleased by the fact that it was not in the overly-seen pink for girls or blue for boys colors. I love the soft image of the slippers on the front and the somewhat antiqued appearance of the cover. I found the headings in the book were perfect for us. They covered neither too few occasions nor too many (I was afraid that if I got a book with too many headings I would leave many blank for lack of time to constantly update). The book has allowed us to chronical our child's monthly development, special occasions, and firsts in a very nice manner. I will certainly put this one at the top of my list for our second child.

1 out of 5 stars Baby Journal.......2001-11-17

When I received this journal, I was disappointed. I was looking for something more structured. Flipping through the blank pages made me wonder if I would miss writing something important down... something that I would look back and regret not recording.

5 out of 5 stars The Ultimate BEST Baby Book.......2000-07-14

I'm am so glad to find this darling little journal here at amazon.com. I purchased it for my first two babies (1996 & 1998) at local bookstores but have been unable to locate it since. With baby #3 due next month,I was about to give up hope on finding it again. The reason I like this book enough to want to use it three times in a row is that it has a really open format that allows you to create areas for baby momentos that are important to you. My biggest "peeve" with traditionally formatted baby books is all the blank lines to fill in! I am not that organized of a person to record every detail of baby life that the book thought to make a blank line for-- my children would have been destined to blank pages! This book has a lovely nuetral color scheme, classic photo backdrops on many pages and is spirally bound to accomodate a lot of momentos. I reccomend it for any new little baby!

5 out of 5 stars The Ultimate BEST Baby Book.......2000-07-14

I'm am so glad to find this darling little journal here at amazon.com. I purchased it for my first two babies (1996 & 1998) at local bookstores but have been unable to locate it since. With baby #3 due next month,I was about to give up hope on finding it again. The reason I like this book enough to want to use it three times in a row is that it has a really open format that allows you to create areas for baby momentos that are important to you. My biggest "peeve" with traditionally formatted baby books is all the blank lines to fill in! I am not that organized of a person to record every detail of baby life that the book thought to make a blank line for-- my children would have been destined to blank pages! This book has a lovely nuetral color scheme, classic photo backdrops on many pages and is spirally bound to accomodate a lot of momentos. I reccomend it for any new little baby!

4 out of 5 stars Shopping on the internet for my 1st baby whilst living in UK.......2000-03-31

Journaling for my baby is very important to me. The book has headings with a blank page or two for you to put pen to paper. There are no baby's firsts page for you to complete; This book is intended for you to simply journal your thoughts. Whilst a few headings are irrelevent for me (ie, Religious Ceremonies) I found the headings just enough to organize my thoughts. I love that the book is spiral bond. The book isn't at all cutsie, it has the feeling of antiquity. The pages do not have lines, which does make it difficult to write in...but than again, most journals don't have lines. Since this is my first baby I did buy another baby's book that has all the "fill in the blanks" since I would more than likely not think of those "firsts" which I should document. I chose the book "Baby's First Year: A Mother's Journal" by Deb Mores for this purpose. And I also bought "Baby Book" by William Wegman which is basically a photo album of firsts which is too adorable to pass up! I know my girl will appreciate this book when she has a baby of her own.
Remembering Our Angels: Personal Stories of Healing from a Pregnancy Loss
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A must read!
Remembering Our Angels: Personal Stories of Healing from a Pregnancy Loss
Hannah, Stone
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Grief & BereavementGrief & Bereavement | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Pregnancy & ChildbirthPregnancy & Childbirth | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books | Baby Names | Fertility | Fetal Drug & Alcohol Syndrome | General | Sears, Dr. William
GeneralGeneral | Essays | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1430316012

Book Description

No one knows the devastation and heartache of losing a baby more than a father or mother. Grieving parents often do not know where to turn and what to do with their grief in the aftermath of a pregnancy loss. In "Remembering Our Angels," Hannah Stone has collected essays and stories from pregnancy loss awareness activists, doctors, grief counselors and grieving parents in the hope of offering a resource to parents in mourning.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A must read!.......2007-08-03

Both [of Hannah Stone's] books were beautifully written and I felt that Hannah Stone had progressed after "Forever our Angels," to finding a much better way of writing about each stage of pregnancy loss; grief and the healing process with her second book "Remembering our Angels." Both books are honest and simply written and will have a big impact upon the reader from whatever walk of life.

"Forever our Angels" gives the reader a chance to read of others' experience of pregnancy loss, showing just how common it is and letting us know we are not alone. It is well written and easy to take your time over. "Remembering our Angels" is written in much more depth and I think that this would be much more useful for healing and managing grief. I would recommend this book of the two purely because it covers so much unspoken ground for every aspect of pregnancy loss.

Both books are very touching and the way they are set out makes them very easy to read and understand. Both have introductions from medical staff - one doctor in "Forever our Angels" to many more in "Remembering our Angels." I enjoyed reading the views of the professionals in the first chapter and felt comforted that it is now realised that validating the loss of all babies at whatever stage in pregnancy they are lost, is so important in the healing process.

"Remembering our Angels" felt like more of a journey for me; going through each stage of pregnancy loss and reading of how others coped with the experience and the grief. I felt that the point of this book is that they are still having to cope often without adequate support which is needed so much after losing a baby in pregnancy.

There are many good ideas of how to cope after pregnancy loss and many have had very positive experiences from being part of a group or organisation, both personally and in helping others. Both books give the message that this should not be a silent grief. As a volunteer for The Miscarriage Association, I found both extremely useful. They motivated me to appreciate that support for men, women and families experiencing this hidden grief was paramount, helping me to help them.

I feel that the author was very brave to touch on a subject so hidden and ignored in so many ways and I do think that many others will gain strength by reading the stories of loss and survival. It is important to understand that pregnancy loss is a part of our lives and to grow from it.

Lisa Taylor-Dowle
The Miscarriage Association
July 07

Treasured In Our Hearts
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Perfect for someone who has lost a child during pregnancy
Treasured In Our Hearts
Rebecca Niestrath
Manufacturer: Speranza Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Grief & BereavementGrief & Bereavement | Death & Grief | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0967474027

Book Description

"Treasured In Our Hearts" is a book designed to acknowledge the life of one who never took a breath. It is a place to record both the hopes and dreams of parents as well as the realities of losing a child. This book aids parents in the process of grieving by allowing them to honestly address the way the tragic loss of their baby affects their family.

"Treasured In Our Hearts" provides a place to record thoughts, emotions and facts surrounding a stillbirth or late miscarriage. It recognizes that parents' feelings of grief are legitimate. It allows families to reflect not only on their baby, but how his or her existence impacted the life of all family members.

This is a beautiful book that becomes a touchstone for reference when all that is left for families is fading memories. It is already proving extremely helpful in hosptials around the country.

This is hardbound with a white cover, a gold-embossed title, 42 pages with full color illustrations and six blank pages for additional journaling.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Perfect for someone who has lost a child during pregnancy.......2007-02-07

I wasn't sure if I should have gotten this for my friend, but it ended up being the best thing I could have done. My friend LOVED it. It was a place where she and her husband were able to record their feelings, ultrasound pictures, etc. Losing a child before birth is still a child lost and this book had a page for EVERYTHING. I definately recommend this baby book.
Our Baby
Average customer rating: 1 out of 5 stars
  • not very good
Our Baby
Rebecca Winter
Manufacturer: Good Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

InfantsInfants | Babies & Toddlers | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Blank BooksBlank Books | Journals | Accessories | Formats | Books
Accessories:
  1. Health o Meter  HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers
  2. Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1561483508

Book Description

Imagine raising six spirited kids on a grass farm. Today. Thatrsquo;ll test any mamarsquo;s strength. Dorcas Smucker and her brood live out their days in full view in this collection of musingspicking blueberries while watching for bears hoping for angels driving off the nearby freeway moving into the ldquo;thousandstory houserdquo; enduring 15yearold Mattrsquo;s lecture on respect while captive in the car. Then there was the fourweek road trip which Dorcas says ldquo;My sisterinlaw warned me would be like putting your whole family in a bathroom and staying there for three days.rdquo; Dorcas and her husband Paul are purposeful parents. But they arenrsquo;t perfect. Dorcas wonders if their marriage can endure when she and Paul canrsquo;t ever figure out what gifts to give each other. She tries to navigate her mild daughterrsquo;s development into a very certain self wondering ldquo;When do I give in and when do I stand firmrdquo;There are no recipes here. But there is story upon story. Dorcas has three daughters and three sons. And she has a voiceencouraging doubting entertaining but never taking herself too seriously. Often slightly offstride and with disarming humility Dorcas keeps finding resource in her life at home ldquo;Often the things we donrsquo;t know we need come into our lives without knocking.rdquo;

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars not very good.......2004-01-16

I wanted to find a baby book that stopped after the first year, so I ordered this one. I wish that there had been more reviews at that time.
This book has no envelopes or pockets. It has no cute question prompts. It doesnt offer much more than if you put together your own photo album. It does have a tooth chart and a weight chart, but i imagine they all have one of those.
I will be returning this book and hope that I can find another one in time.
Welcome to Our Family: A Baby Journal for LGBT Families
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Welcome to Our Family: A Baby Journal for LGBT Families
    Sally Lindsay
    Manufacturer: Two Lives Publishing
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    NonfictionNonfiction | New Baby | Family Life | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
    ASIN: 0967446848

    Book Description

    Created especially for LGBT families, this beautifully illustrated record book allows parents to preserve the memories of their child's first year.
    Hipper Than Our Kid : A Rock and Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Hipper Than Our Kid : A Rock and Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation
      Bruce Pollock
      Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback
      ASIN: B000M5DRUI
      Hipper Than Our Kids: A Rock & Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Hipper Than Our Kids: A Rock & Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation
        Bruce Pollock
        Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
        RockRock | Musical Genres | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
        Theory, Composition & PerformanceTheory, Composition & Performance | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books | Appreciation | Composition | Conducting | Exercises | Instruction & Study | MIDI, Mixers, etc. | Sheet Music & Scores | Songbooks | Songwriting | Techniques | Theory | Vocal
        CultureCulture | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 0028720636
        Hipper Than Our Kids: a Rock & Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Hipper Than Our Kids: a Rock & Roll Journal of the Baby Boom Generation

          Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: B000FMILB8

          Wings of Gold: The U.S. Naval Air Campaign in World War II
          Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
          • A hollow, error-prone, unsophisticated look at Naval Aviation in World War II.
          • A Basic Book About the Air War in the Pacific
          • Falls Short of the Target
          • Proper Editing Essential
          • A very interesting oral history collection
          Wings of Gold: The U.S. Naval Air Campaign in World War II
          Gerald Astor
          Manufacturer: Presidio Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          GeneralGeneral | Military | History | Subjects | Books
          NavalNaval | Military | History | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
          NavalNaval | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
          Similar Items:
          1. Semper Fi in the Sky: The Marine Air Battles of World War II Semper Fi in the Sky: The Marine Air Battles of World War II
          2. Hell Is upon Us: D-Day in the Pacific, June-August 1944 Hell Is upon Us: D-Day in the Pacific, June-August 1944
          3. Clash of The Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II Clash of The Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II
          4. Dumb but Lucky!: Confessions of a P-51 Fighter Pilot in World War II Dumb but Lucky!: Confessions of a P-51 Fighter Pilot in World War II
          5. Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crews over Europe in World War II Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crews over Europe in World War II

          ASIN: 0345472527
          Release Date: 2005-05-31

          Book Description

          From critically acclaimed military historian Gerald Astor comes Wings of Gold, the first account of how the airplane transformed the U.S. Navy and paved the way to victory in the Pacific in World War II. Astor tracks that fateful journey from its humble beginnings in 1910 when Eugene Ely flew the very first plane off the deck of a U.S. Navy ship to the unprecedented air combat missions that helped defeat the Japanese.

          Few naval aviators in World War II realized that when they earned their wings of gold they were about to become test pilots for a whole new kind of combat. In their own words, these courageous fliers describe the life-and-death air battles that defined the revolution in naval strategy that rose from the ashes of Pearl Harbor, when fighter pilots watched in horror as Japanese carrier-launched aircraft bombed their planes and airfields into smoking rubble.

          While following the pilots’ firsthand reports of air strikes and blazing dogfights across the islands and atolls of the Pacific, Astor explores the ways the U.S. Navy began its momentous transformation before the war. Later, the critical role of aircraft carriers in the stunning U.S. victory at Midway sounded the death knell for conventional naval warfare, yet the public, the press, the Army, and even the president’s advisors refused to recognize the new reality. In fact, only a few in the Navy understood that a new era had begun that would change the face of war forever.

          The young Americans who fought the deadly duels against Imperial Japanese forces high over the Pacific gave everything they had to the war effort, and many made the supreme sacrifice. Wings of Gold pays tribute to their courage, daring, and selfless dedication. Vividly told, thoroughly researched, and filled with stirring accounts of the Pacific War’s greatest air battles, Wings of Gold is an important addition to the annals of World War II aerial combat.


          From the Hardcover edition.

          Customer Reviews:

          2 out of 5 stars A hollow, error-prone, unsophisticated look at Naval Aviation in World War II........2006-07-28

          If it weren't for the interviews with Congressional Medal of Honor nominee and Hellcat Ace Commander Alexander Vraciu this book would be a major debacle. Astor may get raves for "Terrible Terry Allen" from many but he clearly has no grasp whatsoever on aviation.

          There are tons of errors in this text, the most glaring being the author's reference to the SBD Dauntless as an "SPD" (this egregiously repeated typo was corrected, I believe, in the paperback version). The editing is poor at best with some paragraphs completely misplaced to the point that you wonder where they were really supposed to be. The wording and phrases used are also not very good and, though applicable perhaps to a grunt executing a flanking maneuver, have no place describing a dogfight. Also someone should slap Astor for using "Tin Fish" to describe a torpedo in every instance in which the subject is discussed. "Tin Fish" may be cute or humorous the first few times but after the 122nd appearance it becomes grating. Can we buy the man a thesaurus?!

          The book is extremely frustrating at times for other reasons. Many significant events are ignored, casually mentioned, or unexplained. Wade McClusky is said to have been wounded at the Battle of Midway yet nowhere is it explained how, where, when, or to what extent. And what of our gallant Marines? Medal of Honor recipient Captain Henry Elrod, USMC, of Wake Island fame was a Naval Aviator. Night Fighter Ace Bruce Porter was also a Marine and the role he and his fellow Devil Dogs played was significant yet ignored here. The bloody and determined campaign in the Solomon Islands that chewed up the elite aviator corps of the Imperial Japanese Navy doesn't get nearly enough attention and the Marine contribution is all but unmentioned.

          One could argue that the Marine omissions are forgiveable in that Astor's focus was on pure Navy fliers, but even the latter get short shrift. Navy PB4Y pilots like Lt. Wayne Rorman and Commander Norman Miller (among others) were awarded Navy Crosses for daring attacks. Captain Paul Stevens, USN (Ret.) was even court martialed for a raid on the Japanese fleet at Mindoro in 1944 before being awarded a Navy Cross for his actions. Sadly, these tales go completely unmentioned in this book.

          It cannot be emphasized enough that this work's only salvation comes in the form of numerous interviews with Alex Vraciu (provided via North Texas University's Oral History Program). The man is an absolutely unbelievable character. Sadly, Astor wastes even this valuable resource as the details of Vraciu's incredible exploits are not covered deeply enough.

          Two stars.

          4 out of 5 stars A Basic Book About the Air War in the Pacific.......2005-08-18

          Drawing on extensive interviews from the pilots themselves, author Gerald Astor has put together a collection of oral testimonies about ariel combat in the Pacific theater during World War II.

          From the attack on Pearl Harbor to the surrender of Japan, this book covers every major campaign of the Pacific war and includes testimonies from ordinary men who went on to become some of the best pilots in the world. Included are testimonies from Butch O'Hare, America's first ace, who shot down six enemy bombers over the aircraft carrier Lexington, Jimmy Thatch, a true innovator and creator of the "Thatch Weave"; a highly successful technique which enabled slower American fighters to compete with the Japanese Zero fighter, Ira Kepford, another Navy pilot who ended the war with over 20 confirmed kills, Alex Vraciu, another 20+ ace who shot down six enemy planes during the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and David McCampbell, the leading Navy ace with 34 kills, who shot down 9 enemy planes during the battle of the Philippine Sea.

          This book is a good introductory volume to the air war in the Pacific, but it doesn't go into great depth. The oral histories presented by the pilots are very interesting, but the narrative provided by the author is somewhat weak, and there are several mistakes in the book. For instance, the author refers to Japanese submarines as "U-Boats" throughout the book. This terminology is incorrect; the Germans used that phrase for their submarines. Also, he refers to the SBD Dauntless dive bomber as the SPD. These may be minor details, but for true World War II history buffs, they do stick out somewhat.

          There are two areas of the book which stick out above the others in my opinion. Astor's description of the mission in which Butch O'Hare was shot down is described in great detail, and the story of the ill-fated Japanese battleship Yamato suicide mission during the Okinawa campaign is told in a very exciting manner.

          Overall, I did enjoy this book. However, I've read better books on the subject. If you are looking for basic information on the air war in the Pacific, then this book will help in that aspect; just don't expect a lot of detail on the specific battles.

          3 out of 5 stars Falls Short of the Target.......2004-10-30

          I felt Gerald Astor's The Mighty Eighth was a gripping and well-told account of the evolution of the U.S. bomber war in Europe. His frequent use of personal narratives provided a vivid and intense history. I'm sorry to say that Wings of Gold falls short, although there are strong elements. I'm not as familiar with the air war in Europe as I am the Pacific, so that may be part of the reason I was less than engaged in Wings of Gold. The bomber campaign in Europe started on a shoestring, suffered appalling losses (partly due to misplaced pre-war concepts), eventually built up strength, was threatened by the new technology of German jets, and eventually became so dominant that Europe was decimated. There is a parallel to this in the Pacific carrier war. But this book does not develop the intensity that went with the struggle. The Japanese naval air force was as dreaded as the Luftwaffe, and inexperienced American pilots were badly out numbered and suffered from ineffective pre-war planning, particularly in aircraft. The development of carrier doctrine in the intense reality of combat is not as well told. The strength of this narrative is again the extensive use of oral history. We hear from great aviators such as Thatch, Feightner, Galer, O'Hare, Campbell and others. Their narrations are gripping and breathe life and fire. But when the author provides historical detail and strategy, it is consistently shallow, even for a general survey. The chapter on Midway is particularly disjointed and the frequent misidentification of aircraft types (along with references to Japanese U-boats!) is not only irritating, but suggests an unfamiliarity the author brings to events. Yes, Japanese pilots were less skilled later in the war and Americans had better aircraft, but that didn't make everything after the Marinas a duck shoot. A warship is never an easy target, and, when kamikazes entered the Japanese war effort, an almost paralyzing fear gripped the fleet. And just as there were targets in Europe that keep aircrews awake at night, the Pacific offered countless episodes when fliers launched from pitch-dark decks thinking this was a one way ticket. My disappointment is in the realization that this author has done better.

          3 out of 5 stars Proper Editing Essential.......2004-08-01

          I am a serious student of World War Two and a Gerald Astor fan, however repeated errors in aircraft designations...(SPD instead of SBD) caused me to hesitate to finish this work. There is nothing more annoying than having to mentally correct poor editing.
          The books content is very good and worth reading. I just would like to stress that whomever edits the final draft need to be sure that it is properly done.

          4 out of 5 stars A very interesting oral history collection.......2004-06-08

          Astor's book takes a look at the Pacific theater air campaigns of the Second World War from the perspectives of the U.S. Navy aviators who participated in them. The numerous interviews with aviators, and their comments on their experiences, their aircraft, and the war itself provide a level of human detail not found in many other works on the subject.

          Readers looking for a grand overview of the war from a strategic perspective would be best served looking elsewhere, as these aspects are treated relatively briefly--Astor wishes his focus to remain squarely on the experiences of individual naval aviators. The first-hand accounts themselves are without fail well-presented, interesting, and informative.

          The one serious critique of the book I have is that it could clearly have done with a more thorough editing before going to print. There are numerous instances throughout the book where aircraft models and designations are given incorrectly. This is for the most part a minor problem, but irritating nevertheless.
          Wings Of Gold: The U.S. Naval Air Campaign In World War II
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Wings Of Gold: The U.S. Naval Air Campaign In World War II
            Gerald Astor
            Manufacturer: Presidio Press
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback
            ASIN: B000OVBKZE

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