Society Announces 2020 Spring Mini Con ~ Book Review: "On The Road To Victory"

Volume 32, Volume 1

Society Announces 2020 Spring Mini Con 

The annual Fight in the Skies Society Spring Mini Convention is to be held April 23-26 at the Comfort Suites at the Milwaukee Airport. This year's convention will showcase some of the Society's most prestigious events, including the 7th Kerry Nash/Al Christensen Memorial, the "Big Game" and Dawn Patrol's ultimate prize, the Masters. 

The official flyer for the Mini Con is below, complete with game schedule, hotel and travel information. 

Book Review
"On the Road to Victory-The Rise of Motor Transport with the BEF on the Western Front" 
by Michael Harrison

Casemate Publishers/Pen & Sword books
Hard bound, 192 pages
$39.95 US
Order here:
https://www.casematepublishers.com/on-the-road-to-victory.html#.XmEoUOtOm70

Thank goodness, here is a college degree that was not wasted. Michael Harrison, author of “On the Road to Victory – The Rise of Motor Transport with the BEF on the Western Front,” earned his degree in British First World War studies at the University of Birmingham.

Now I had no idea anyone actually offered a degree in First World War studies. Then again, colleges are now offering degrees in ecogastronomy, fermentation and gender studies, so nothing should suprise us. We are grateful that Harrison's degree led him to produce a one-of-a-kind book that examines the role of motor transport for British forces during the Great War. We review Great War titles here at ISD on a regular basis and you can rest assured that you're not going to find another work like this one.

Harrison's work isn't limited to merely examining the machines themselves... the lorries, ambulances, trucks, troop carries and automobiles. “Road to Victory” also includes a full examination of the daily routines of fitters, mechanics and drivers who moved the British army across the Western Front. No stone is left unturned. The one-way street designs, the role of military police on roadways and even the construction of the roads themselves is studied in depth.

Harrison's tome utilizes a Times New Roman style font suitable for easy reading. At 192 pages, it is thorough and complete without being intimidating. It's 6x9 inch size makes it conveniently suited for packing in a backpack or briefcase during ride on the metro.

A final note that “Road to Victory” readers will appreciate is the quality of paper used by the publisher. While not up to acid-free standards, the paper is noticably superior and facilitates better reproduction of the 100 year old black and white photos that are plentiful throughout the book. Yes, you can use your magnifying glass to study them more closely. They are well done.

“Road to Victory” is a rare gem that will fill a gap in your World War I library. Highly recommended. 

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