Brian Burdett's Books

Forty-Seven Years Aloft

From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

By: Brian Burdett

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Forty-Seven Years Aloft

From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

By: Brian Burdett

“A journey through 47 years of aviation history through the memories of one pilot. From . . . ‘antics’ in jet fighters, and civil aviation to retirement.” —Vintage Airfix It all began for London-born Brian Burdett, as it has for so many, with the Air Cadets, flying Tiger Moths at the age of just fourteen. He obtained his civil license at the age of seventeen, and six months later he was accepted into the RAF. The year was 1954. It was to fly Hunters that Brian was posted to 257 (Burma) Squadron at Wattisham in Suffolk, where the jets were frequently scrambled to intercept Soviet intruders in the dark days of the Cold War. His RAF career developed further with a transfer to Transport Command where Brian could fly the planes he loved the best—the big jets. After training on Handley Page Hastings, Brian was given the chance to fly the famous de Havilland on long-distance routes between the RAF bases around the world, through the Middle East, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and down to South Africa and Australasia. He eventually turned to the commercial world, flying Falcons, VC 10s, Tristars and every type of Boeing 747, for a variety of airlines. His adventures are legion. From a double engine failure on takeoff and still managing to land safely, to losing control in cloud and leveling off feet from the ground, to a midair near miss with an American aircraft that no-one knew was there, to spotting a strange object that remains unidentified to this day. “A fascinating career in military aviation and commercial aviation spanning 47 years . . . Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench

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490

Publisher

Pen and Sword

Published Date

ISBN 10

1526753049

ISBN 13

9781526753045

Forty-Seven Years Aloft: From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

By: Brian Burdett

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Forty-Seven Years Aloft: From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

By: Brian Burdett

London-born Brian Burdett had only one career objective - to be a pilot. By the time that he touched down on his last flight, Brian had flown more than twenty-five different types of aircraft both for the RAF and a variety of famous commercial airlines. It all began for Brian, as it has for so many, with the Air Cadets, flying Tiger Moths at the age of just fourteen. He obtained his civil license at the age of seventeen, and six months later he was accepted into the RAF. The year was 1954. With the RAF he graduated from Piston Provost trainers, to the de Havilland Vampire and eventually the Hawker Hunter. It was to fly Hunters that Brian was posted to 257 (Burma) Squadron at Wattisham in Suffolk, where the jets were frequently scrambled to intercept Soviet intruders in the dark days of the Cold War. His RAF career developed further with a transfer to Transport Command where Brian could fly the planes he loved the best - the big jets. After training on Handley Page Hastings, Brian was given the chance to fly the famous de Havilland Comet. With 216 Squadron, flying high above the ceiling for commercial aircraft, Brian flew the long-distance routes between the RAF bases around the world, through the Middle East, Pakistan, Shri Lanka and down to South Africa and Australasia. This included taking personnel to Woomera and Christmas Island nuclear testing sites. After a period as a trainer at Cranwell, Brian became the youngest four-jet captain in the world. He then flew VIPs around Europe in the RAF's VC10s, his passengers included the then Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, among other dignitaries. Brian eventually turned to the commercial world, flying Falcons, VC 10s, Tristars and every type of Boeing 747, for a variety of airlines. His adventures are legion. From a double engine failure on take-off and still managing to land safely, to losing control in cloud and levelling off feet from the ground, to a mid-air near miss with an American aircraft that no-one knew was there, to spotting a strange object that remains unidentified to this day. Brian's last flight was into Los Angeles in an Airbus 340, in December 2000. He had 22,500 hours in his log book, after forty-seven years aloft.

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Air World

Published Date

ISBN 10

1526753030

ISBN 13

9781526753038

Blood on the Tracks

The Lifea nd Times of S. Brian Willson

By: Willson, S. Brian

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Blood on the Tracks

The Lifea nd Times of S. Brian Willson

By: Willson, S. Brian

“We are not worth more, they are not worth less.” This is the mantra of S. Brian Willson and the theme that runs throughout his compelling psycho-historical memoir. Willson’s story begins in small-town, rural America, where he grew up as a “Commie-hating, baseball-loving Baptist,” moves through life-changing experiences in Viet Nam, Nicaragua and elsewhere, and culminates with his commitment to a localized, sustainable lifestyle. In telling his story, Willson provides numerous examples of the types of personal, risk-taking, nonviolent actions he and others have taken in attempts to educate and effect political change: tax refusal—which requires simplification of one’s lifestyle; fasting—done publicly in strategic political and/or therapeutic spiritual contexts; and obstruction tactics—strategically placing one’s body in the way of “business as usual.” It was such actions that thrust Brian Willson into the public eye in the mid-’80s, first as a participant in a high-profile, water-only “Veterans Fast for Life” against the Contra war being waged by his government in Nicaragua. Then, on a fateful day in September 1987, the world watched in horror as Willson was run over by a U.S. government munitions train during a nonviolent blocking action in which he expected to be removed from the tracks and arrested. Losing his legs only strengthened Willson’s identity with millions of unnamed victims of U.S. policy around the world. He provides details of his travels to countries in Latin America and the Middle East and bears witness to the harm done to poor people as well as to the environment by the steamroller of U.S. imperialism. These heart-rending accounts are offered side by side with inspirational stories of nonviolent struggle and the survival of resilient communities Willson’s expanding consciousness also uncovers injustices within his own country, including insights gained through his study and service within the U.S. criminal justice system and personal experiences addressing racial injustices. He discusses coming to terms with his identity as a Viet Nam veteran and the subsequent service he provides to others as director of a veterans outreach center in New England. He draws much inspiration from friends he encounters along the way as he finds himself continually drawn to the path leading to a simpler life that seeks to “do no harm.&rdquo Throughout his personal journey Willson struggles with the question, “Why was it so easy for me, a ’good’ man, to follow orders to travel 9,000 miles from home to participate in killing people who clearly were not a threat to me or any of my fellow citizens?” He eventually comes to the realization that the “American Way of Life” is AWOL from humanity, and that the only way to recover our humanity is by changing our consciousness, one individual at a time, while striving for collective cultural changes toward “less and local.” Thus, Willson offers up his personal story as a metaphorical map for anyone who feels the need to be liberated from the American Way of Life—a guidebook for anyone called by conscience to question continued obedience to vertical power structures while longing to reconnect with the human archetypes of cooperation, equity, mutual respect and empathy.

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Page Count

749

Publisher

PM Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

160486592X

ISBN 13

9781604865929

Blood on the Tracks

The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson : a Psychohistorical Memoir

By: S. Brian Willson

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Blood on the Tracks

The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson : a Psychohistorical Memoir

By: S. Brian Willson

After serving in the Vietnam War, S. Brian Willson became a radical, nonviolent peace protester and pacifist, and this memoir details the drastic governmental and social change he has spent his life fighting for. Chronicling his personal struggle with a government he believes to be unjust, Willson sheds light on the various incarnations of his protests of the U.S. government, including the refusal to pay taxes, public fasting, and, most famously, public obstruction. On September 1, 1987, Willson was run over by a U.S. government munitions train during a nonviolent blocking action in which he expected to be removed from the tracks. Providing a full look into the tragic event, Willson, who lost his legs in the incident, discusses how the subsequent publicity propelled his cause toward the national consciousness. Now, 23 years later, Willson tells his story of social injustice, nonviolent struggle, and the so-called American way of life.

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Page Count

441

Publisher

Pm Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1604864214

ISBN 13

9781604864212

Underground

By: Brian Ahier Read

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Underground

By: Brian Ahier Read

Explores the world beneath our feet, from the plants and minerals on the ground to the caves and fossils deeper down.

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Silver Burdett Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0382092783

ISBN 13

9780382092787

Blood on the Tracks

The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson

By: S Brian Willson

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Blood on the Tracks

The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson

By: S Brian Willson

We are not worth more, they are not worth less." This is the mantra of S. Brian Willson and the theme that runs throughout his compelling psycho-historical memoir. Willson's story begins in small-town, rural America, where he grew up as a "Commie-hating, baseball-loving Baptist," moves through life-changing experiences in Viet Nam, Nicaragua and elsewhere, and culminates with his commitment to a localized, sustainable lifestyle. In telling his story, Willson provides numerous examples of the types of personal, risk-taking, nonviolent actions he and others have taken in attempts to educate and effect political change: tax refusal--which requires simplification of one's lifestyle; fasting--done publicly in strategic political and/or therapeutic spiritual contexts; and obstruction tactics--strategically placing one's body in the way of "business as usual." It was such actions that thrust Brian Willson into the public eye in the mid-'80s, first as a participant in a high-profile, water-only "Veterans Fast for Life" against the Contra war being waged by his government in Nicaragua. Then, on a fateful day in September 1987, the world watched in horror as Willson was run over by a U.S. government munitions train during a nonviolent blocking action in which he expected to be removed from the tracks and arrested. Losing his legs only strengthened Willson's identity with millions of unnamed victims of U.S. policy around the world. He provides details of his travels to countries in Latin America and the Middle East and bears witness to the harm done to poor people as well as to the environment by the steamroller of U.S. imperialism. These heart-rending accounts are offered side by side with inspirational stories of nonviolent struggle and the survival of resilient communities Willson's expanding consciousness also uncovers injustices within his own country, including insights gained through his study and service within the U.S. criminal justice system and personal experiences addressing racial injustices. He discusses coming to terms with his identity as a Viet Nam veteran and the subsequent service he provides to others as director of a veterans outreach center in New England. He draws much inspiration from friends he encounters along the way as he finds himself continually drawn to the path leading to a simpler life that seeks to "do no harm.&rdquo Throughout his personal journey Willson struggles with the question, "Why was it so easy for me, a 'good' man, to follow orders to travel 9,000 miles from home to participate in killing people who clearly were not a threat to me or any of my fellow citizens?" He eventually comes to the realization that the "American Way of Life" is AWOL from humanity, and that the only way to recover our humanity is by changing our consciousness, one individual at a time, while striving for collective cultural changes toward "less and local." Thus, Willson offers up his personal story as a metaphorical map for anyone who feels the need to be liberated from the American Way of Life--a guidebook for anyone called by conscience to question continued obedience to vertical power structures while longing to reconnect with the human archetypes of cooperation, equity, mutual respect and empathy.

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ISBN 13

9798887440750

Brian's Thought's

By: MR Brian Shaun Watson

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Brian's Thought's

By: MR Brian Shaun Watson

My Name is Brian Shaun Watson I was on Friday, August 11th, 1978 in Hampton, Virginia and I'm from Nashville, Tennessee. I've been writing poetry since I was 11 years old.

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Self Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1962874311

ISBN 13

9781962874311

Brian’s Autobiography and Featuring Some of His Great Achievements

The Wonder of What One Can Achieve When We Take the Time to Build on What We Can Do

By: Brian Willetts

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Brian’s Autobiography and Featuring Some of His Great Achievements

The Wonder of What One Can Achieve When We Take the Time to Build on What We Can Do

By: Brian Willetts

This book does not offer any miracles, although it does offer a better opportunity for someone to get results, for one who is prepared to get out of the victim role and take a positive step into seeing what they can do for themselves. By reading this book, you will realise the significance of continuous learning. And that’s how philosophy tries to discover the nature of truth and knowledge, to find what is of basic value and importance in life. This is about the relationships between humanity and nature and between the individual and the society.

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Page Count

259

Publisher

Xlibris Corporation

Published Date

ISBN 10

1984503472

ISBN 13

9781984503473

On Tour with Brian Booth

England 1961

By: Brian Booth,Ronald Cardwell

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On Tour with Brian Booth

England 1961

By: Brian Booth,Ronald Cardwell

Forty-eight years ago on 27 July 1961, Brian Booth, a country boy from Perthville near Bathurst was selected for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. He kept a diary in which he faithfully recorded details of the tour, which was the last time a team travelled by boat to England.

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ISBN 10

0980572797

ISBN 13

9780980572797

Through the Year with Brian D'arcy

By: Brian D'Arcy

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Through the Year with Brian D'arcy

By: Brian D'Arcy

This book contains a short reflection for each day of the year on cultural, political, social, and religious matters from Irish columnist Brian D'Arcy.

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Columba Press (IE)

Published Date

ISBN 10

1856076237

ISBN 13

9781856076234

The B Book

By: Brian Randall

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The B Book

By: Brian Randall

The narrative of an imaginative modern child named Bee notes changes in the human value structure in the last decade and is accompanied by the works of a multimedia artist--including makeup artistry, collage, painting, and photography.

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Publisher

Grand Central Pub

Published Date

ISBN 10

0446518018

ISBN 13

9780446518017

Some Lives of Brian

By: Brian Stuart

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Some Lives of Brian

By: Brian Stuart

An only child living in Aldershot, Brian Stuart has always been in touch with the arts. When his father was called up to the army in 1940 his mother decided to take in boarders who performed weekly in the Hippodrome.

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Page Count

137

Publisher

Pen Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

190717284X

ISBN 13

9781907172847

Book's by Brian Burdett

Forty-Seven Years Aloft

Forty-Seven Years Aloft

Forty-Seven Years Aloft: From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

Forty-Seven Years Aloft: From Cold War Fighters & Flying the PM to Commercial Jets

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks

Underground

Underground

Blood on the Tracks

Blood on the Tracks

Brian's Thought's

Brian's Thought's

Brian’s Autobiography and Featuring Some of His Great Achievements

Brian’s Autobiography and Featuring Some of His Great Achievements

On Tour with Brian Booth

On Tour with Brian Booth

Through the Year with Brian D'arcy

Through the Year with Brian D'arcy

The B Book

The B Book

Some Lives of Brian

Some Lives of Brian

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