When Second World War Spitfire pilot John Gillespie Magee penned his poem ‘High Flight’, little did he know that his words would inspire legions of aspiring aviators who had a similar wish to fly their ‘eager craft through footless halls of air’. Founded on years of detailed research, Roger Cole’s book High Flight tells John Magee’s extraordinary story, describing hitherto-unknown details of his short life, and providing insight into the inspiration for the poems that have found a unique place in history. Born of an English mother and American father in Nanking in China, Magee grew up and was educated in different parts of the world, proving to be a highly accomplished student. Through his experiences, he developed principles that made him determined to defend the rights of those he loved and respected. Exhilarated by flight and finding unique language in poetry, John was able to use words to express the emotions and sentiments of all who fly in a manner that is acknowledged and applauded throughout the world. The outbreak of war in Europe violated his beliefs, and, determined to fight for freedom, John left America and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, qualifying as a pilot and travelling to England to fight Nazism. Tragically, John would lose his life, aged 19 years, in an accident, so never know how his words would serve posterity. Roger Cole’s High Flight traces the path of John Magee’s achievement, revealing an incredible story of human endeavor, vision, determination and self-sacrifice.

High Flight: The Life and Poetry of Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee

Biographies & Memoirs

Cole, Roger

Leaders & Notable People

Fighting High Publishing

SAS Operation Storm: Nine Men Against Four Hundred in Britain's Secret War

"How many are they?" The reply came in the finest traditions of accurate situation reporting, "f***ing hundreds of them!" Mirbat, South Oman, July 19, 1972 is one of the least-known yet most crucial battles of modern times. SAS Operation Storm is the inside story—told by those who took part—of the greatest secret war in SAS history. The tipping point was Mirbat, a secret battle which defines the world we all live in today. If the SAS had been defeated at Mirbat, the Russian and Chinese plan for a communist foothold in the Middle East would have succeeded, with catastrophic consequences for the oil-hungry West. This is a page-turning account of courage and resilience. Mirbat was a battle fought and won by nine SAS soldiers and a similar number of brave local people—some as young as ten years old—outnumbered by at least twenty five to one. Thousands of bullets, rockets, shells, mortars, and grenades were fired in a six hour fire-fight of staggering intensity, the tipping point in a clandestine war which went unreported at the time. Roger Cole, one of the SAS soldiers who took part, and writer Richard Belfield have interviewed every SAS survivor who fought in the battle from the beginning to the end—the first time every single one of them has revealed their experience. The authors have also talked to many other survivors from both sides, including the pilots who flew with the SAS, the SAS soldiers who joined the battle towards the end, and some of the insurgents who fought against them. SAS Operation Storm is a classic story of bravery against impossible odds—minute by minute, bullet by bullet.

History

Belfield, Richard

Middle East

Hodder&Stoughton

"How many are they?" The reply came in the finest traditions of accurate situation reporting, "f***ing hundreds of them!" Mirbat, South Oman, July 19, 1972 is one of the least-known yet most crucial battles of modern times. SAS Operation Storm is the inside story—told by those who took part—of the greatest secret war in SAS history. The tipping point was Mirbat, a secret battle which defines the world we all live in today. If the SAS had been defeated at Mirbat, the Russian and Chinese plan for a communist foothold in the Middle East would have succeeded, with catastrophic consequences for the oil-hungry West. This is a page-turning account of courage and resilience. Mirbat was a battle fought and won by nine SAS soldiers and a similar number of brave local people—some as young as ten years old—outnumbered by at least twenty five to one. Thousands of bullets, rockets, shells, mortars, and grenades were fired in a six hour fire-fight of staggering intensity, the tipping point in a clandestine war which went unreported at the time. Roger Cole, one of the SAS soldiers who took part, and writer Richard Belfield have interviewed every SAS survivor who fought in the battle from the beginning to the end—the first time every single one of them has revealed their experience. The authors have also talked to many other survivors from both sides, including the pilots who flew with the SAS, the SAS soldiers who joined the battle towards the end, and some of the insurgents who fought against them. SAS Operation Storm is a classic story of bravery against impossible odds—minute by minute, bullet by bullet.

SAS Operation Storm: Nine Men Against Four Hundred

Europe

At the height of his career as an oncologist, Dr. Roger Cole realized he needed to reconnect with the passion that first attracted him to medicine. Dr. Cole elected to work exclusively with terminally ill patients to understand the deeply emotional experiences his dying patients were going through, and discovered that talking with them brought comfort to their final days and gave him a sense of enlightenment. In MISSION OF LOVE, Dr. Cole reflects on the remarkable lessons he’s learned, weaving a spiritual tapestry from the lives of his patients, their families, and his own life. Offering knowledge and insight as well as a route to compassion and peace, MISSION OF LOVE will inspire feelings of hope and acceptance, whether you are facing the loss of a loved one or seeking guidance for your own life’s journey.

Mission of Love: A Physician's Spiritual Journey Toward a Life Beyond

Self-Help

Death & Grief

Celestial Arts

Roger Cole presents the unvarnished facts about the brilliant young sculptor killed in the first world war and his friendships.

Gaudier-Brzeska: Artist & Myth

Arts & Photography

Sansom (Acc)

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Books by Cole, Roger