Author Topic: Research / History books - how much do you spend? (Read 1041 times)

Waffle · « **on:** March 21, 2005, 12:56:13 PM »

I was out this week and ran across a few books that I liked and decided to pick them up.....

Years ago - I would consider a book if it was around $25-35 or under....

Then that moved to $45-55.....

Well now I'm I'm not batting an eye at the $70-90 price range on books....

I need help....lol

Any of you history junkies / Aviation buffs have this problem?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:26:25 PM »

You really don't wanna know Waffle

Dropping $60-$70 on a Group History has gotten fairly regular for me. Probably the most expensive was an original 447th BG history I spent well over $100 for while researching a 447th BG crew.

I've been pretty much buying a book a paycheck since I was 16, and that was in 1976. I used to just head for the libraries but the selection was never good enough, and I do use the stuff over and over again.

The advantage now, is my home library is stocked with all the good stuff, so I've become much more selective with Group Histories having become the priority.

That doesn't stop the impulse buy now and then though

Dan/CorkyJr

Sikboy · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:37:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35

The advantage now, is my home library is stocked with all the good stuff, so I've become much more selective with Group Histories having become the priority.

What's your address?

Also, do you have a dog?

-Sik

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:02:10 PM »

Yeah. Went to Pearl to visit the Missouri and the Bowfin this past weekend, ended up buying books on battleships and one on the efforts to find the carriers lost in the battle of Midway........then bought videos................spent damn near 300 bucks in one trip. It was worth it though (for me lol). Wife is a little sore from all the ladder climbing on the Missouri though.

joeblogs · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:03:29 PM »

I have budget for books which makes me trade off price against time. The books I really want I get sooner, but typically pay more for.

I buy most of my books used. I set up a want list at abe and it regularly sends me emails of books I am interested in with prices requested by book sellers from all over. When I see a bargain, I buy it.

Average purchase price, probably $30. The most expensive are the original engine manuals, which can run into 3 digits.

-Blogs

nirvana · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:07:59 PM »

$15 Fighters of WW2 If anyone has picked this up you have probably noticed a few mistakes that looks like the book never made it to the editor or something got messed up in the printing process, what the heck though I was sick, I was at the mall with my mum, and it was only $15! I thought it was a good deal I usually look at aircraft info not read the paragraphs anyways.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:15:08 PM »

383 reference books.

Over 7168 bucks spent so far.

How do I know?

I put them all in Excell!

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:16:13 PM »

Joe
Were do you get these engine manuals?

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:17:03 PM »

Star
How big is the tour of the mighty Mo?

DO you get inside a 16 Inch turret? What about a 5 inch mount?

DO they take you to the engine rooms etc?

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:40:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GtoRA2
Star
How big is the tour of the mighty Mo?

DO you get inside a 16 Inch turret? What about a 5 inch mount?

DO they take you to the engine rooms etc?

Right now about 10% of the ship is "open". By this I do not mean open to the public, I mean open if you buy a tour. The ship is kept up by private funds (Friends of the Missouri) and sometimes by volunteer labor from the sub base (noobs waiting for their ship to come in and have free time). Some of the ship IS open to the general public for ................ 15 bucks I think ..............

They have the #3 16" gun turret partially done, you can stick your head in but thats it. They are working on restoring #1 turret for people to actually go inside and see how the loading operations worked.

If you go on the "Explorers Tour", #4 Engine room is open and #4 boiler room. Fire control is also open. They show you the Mk8 Fire Control Computer and the targeting switches for which targeting data you accept. They take you briefly through Officers Country and some of the mess rooms. They have bunk areas from both 1940s (steel poles with canvas "bunks" lashed on with ropes) and the 1980s (wood frames with a thin mattress). You also get to go into the Brig. The people in the operation are almost all former or retired navy folks and know their stuff pretty good. They hope to eventually have 70% of the ship open for tours. For anybody that loves ships, you cant beat walking on the deck of an Iowa class Battleship.

They also have a "flight simulator" (more like a movie in a moving capsule) with footage from Iwo Jima. Wasnt as much fun as I expected, but it was still cool.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2005, 07:50:22 PM »

Awsome!

I wonder if they bay area will eventualy get the Iowa? You can see her from the freeway up in the north bay.

I am sure the navy will keep trying to strike her from the books.

I love these ships.

Did you take any pics?

Can you volenteer time aboard to help restore her?

Thanks for the info!

Crumpp · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2005, 08:27:46 PM »

God, I don't even want to think about it.

This month alone I have spent over 700 US dollars. Most of it in acquiring original documentation on the original paper.

Books? I spent about 200 on books this month which is what I have been averaging with a spike like this month every 2-3 months.

That does not include gas, food, hotels, etc.. when traveling to archives/museums for research either.

Expensive to research a book. When you see guys post documentation, like Henning, Guppy, F4UDOA, and others, be sure to thank them. They are niether free nor cheap.

All the best,

Crumpp

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2005, 09:00:59 PM »

Crump.

Guys like you and F4UDOA, should write a how to get research info FAQ lol.

I would love to know the ins and outs of it.

I find many books on WW2 aviation are filled with the same general information over and over, and finding a jewel like Bodies P-38 and P-47 books or a book like Americas Hundred thoasand that has new info or good technical info rare.

Widewing · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2005, 09:06:01 PM »

Gentlemen, save yourself a lot of money. Go to Alibris.com and buy used. I bought one of the original 1000 copies of Pete Bowers' Fortress in The Sky for $70 thru Alibris. Six months later, I saw one go for $370 on Ebay. Alibris is a great place to find out of print material.

My regards,

Widewing

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2005, 09:14:19 PM »

Thanks Widewing,
I try and buy used anytime I can.

Usualy through the used book dealers at amazon.