As a pilot, I enjoyed this aviation experience. The starship seems the perfect magic carpet vehicle for the dream that many of us share - round-the-world on your terms, at your own pace, and by your own hand.
An outstanding journey
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
This book is a great testament to an innovative plane and the spirit of adventure that lurks inside many (all?) of us. Who wouldn't want to vicariously share in travels all over the globe and learn about faraway places? Yeah, there's the occasional factual or syntax error in the first printing that escaped the book's editor. But show me ANY other work as technically or artistically ambitious as this, that appeals to such a wide-ranging technical and non-technical audience, that doesn't have a shortcoming or two. The book inspires me to visit faraway places and celebrates the mystery and geekiness of flight. And that makes it great, in my opinion.
The art & science of flight ... and the joys of travel
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Rare is the writer who can convincingly celebrate both the beauty and science of flight, and the joys of travel. This book clearly appeals to pilots and aviation enthusiasts, yet it also stands up as a legitimate travel and adventure story even for readers without an aviation background. Geeky technical detail is largely relegated to the 150+ footnotes. Kachan is a former journalist, and it shows. His prose is engaging yet economical. The book's unique blend of fact and fiction and real-world developments make The Starship Diaries a unique work of art.
An excellent traveling companion
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I was priviledged to see and go inside a Beech Starship at Oshkosh in July of 2004. I met Mr. Kachan and bought a signed _Starship Diaries_ from him there. My wife and I spend the following two weeks touring around England. I read _The Starship Diaries_ during that trip, especially the ride back to London from Scotland, where we'd been castle hunting. It's a lovely book about travel, with lots of little diversions along the way talking about other things. South sea islands, and fuel problems of remote researchers, mechanical problems in Sibera, and other adventures. It's definitely written from the perspective of someone who sees the Starship as a work of art, but I think that the travel narrative would be interesting to anyone. This is a very nice, relaxing travel tale; an excellent gift for anyone who takes their vacations very seriously. I reccommend it.
A Unique & Wonderful Travelogue
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
It was a distinct pleasure to vicariously share some of Dallas Kachan's round-the-world adventures in The Starship Diaries. His descriptions of what it means to fly are superb and highly informative. So are the explorations of what it is to be a North American traveler in the broad world. Both in the air and on the ground Kachan's describes a facinating journey from a unique perspective. The places visited, timing of the trip and mode of transportation all make for an especially interesting book that is also very well written. The Starship Diaries is a standout contribution to both aviation and travel literature.
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