Airman's Odyssey

This trilogy consists of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's three most famous early aviation books: "Wind, Sand and Stars", "Night Flight", and "Flight to Arras". (St-Ex's other most famous work, "The Little Prince", is in a more fictional vein and is not included in this volume). The reader is served up with a similar theme in each of these three books . . . generally while at the controls of his aircraft, Saint-Exupery introspects and philosophizes, usually quite agreeably in my opinion. Regularly, St-Ex snaps the reader back to the situation at hand, often a life-or-death emergency of some sort. A wonderful effect. Obviously, this is important first person historical writing concerning the early days of aviation. To summarize each of the three books within this volume: WIND, SAND, AND STARS - easily the best of the 3 in my opinion and an epic piece of writing. Autobiographical, and written while serving in the pioneering days of the airmail service, both trans-Sahara and trans-Andes. Magical tales of flying, the mountains, and the deserts. Included is a night flight crash into a mountain and the near fatal starvation experience afterward (with, as always, the inner reflections by the writer). And a landmark piece of literature to boot. NIGHT FLIGHT - fictional tale of the early Argentine mail service. The mental struggles of the pilots and the manager who orders them to their task (and often their death). As always, the author expands the specific tale to include the implication on the whole of mankind. As the title indicates, this is night flight mail service . . . that is without radar or GPS, and having only primitive navigational techniques. In a storm (and one develops), this means literally flying blind. FLIGHT TO ARRAS - an autobiographical tale of a WWII French air corps suicide reconnaisance mission to Arras, against HEAVY German defenses. Very deep introspection by the author while he "finds himself" on the death mission. Starving for oxygen at high altitude while struggling with frozen controls. Flying into a wall of enemy ground fire. Ruminating on the failing French war effort, comradeship, and indeed the role of the individual within mankind. Deep stuff and hard to keep in touch with at times. Great piece of writing. Night Flight is the Stuart Gilbert translation, the other two are by Lewis Galantiere. This volume of 3 books is a convenient way to own these works, and by far the most economical. Should be in the library of every aviator, but these are important works that can be enjoyed by any reader. Highly recommended.

I was exposed to St. Ex in the ninth grade by my French teacher. He had us read the "Little Prince". My dream was to be a pilot and I could relate to the story. Going through college I read other books by St. Ex. and have been a fan ever since. I am a pilot and his writing touch the heart and soul of the reader. Both from physical experience and from spiritual wanderings.One could call this the essential guide to St. Ex. The selections cover his early years in the airmail service and through his patriotic devotion to duty and his countryman and the fall of France. These are real life adventures with true heros doing what they must for honor and duty serving a new need of mankind delivering the mail, and flying against the odds. Read it, it's about much more than the early adventure of flying the mail. It's sets one to contemplating as well.