REACH for the SKY

Signed and dated on the front end paper by

Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE DSO DFC
12/10/77

Published by Collins. First edition, 1st impression 1954.  384 pages and illustrated with photographs.

Very Good condition book in a Very Good condition, unclipped dustjacket.  It looks smart in its protective cover. 

This gripping and inspiring story of Douglas Bader is probably the most famous pilot biography of them all.

In 1931 Douglas Bader, then a brilliant 21 year old RAF pilot, crashed in a Bristol Bulldog fighter in a flying accident and lost both legs. At the outbreak of war his relentless persistence saw him re-join the RAF and by 1940 he was leading the famous 242 Sqn in the Battle of Britain. He then went on to command the famous Tangmere Wing and at the time he was shot down and taken POW in August 1941, he was a leading Ace with 24 victories and one of the most famous RAF Fighter pilots. After being interned in a number of prison camps (including Stalag Luft III), his persistent escape attempts saw him finish the war in Colditz.  

After the war, this bestselling book and the film of the same name starring Kenneth More as Bader, ensured that he became a household name and his eponymous Foundation continues to give a huge amount of support and encouragement to other limbless people.

A decent later signed first edition copy of this iconic book with a clear and bold Bader signature on the otherwise blank front end paper.