Fannie's Favorites : May 2016

Fannie's Favorites

This month Fannie has chosen to share an exciting book with her public followers on www.AncestorStuff.com, LLC.  She is fascinated with old and new inventions.  She really likes the ones that have been around a while, but she has never heard about them....until she stumbles upon a book, like this one!

The Flying Submarine, The Story of the Invention of the Reid Flying Submarine, RFS-1, by Bruce Reid.  (2004), 2012, 5½x8½, paper, 178 pp. 
101-R3136 
ISBN: 0788431366

www.heritagebooks.com

A flying aircraft that can be a submarine?  "Come on," said Fannie.  "You have got to me pulling my paw!"  She read the description of the book on the Internet, and she was immediately hooked!

"The Flying Submarine: The Story of the Invention of the Reid Flying Submarine, RFS-1 - Bruce Reid. Is it science fiction? No! This is the true story of the invention of the world's first submersible aircraft. Developed during the Cold War era, the military potential of such a craft was invaluable, and the inventor worked tirelessly to get his flying submarine off the drawing board and into the water. Donald V. Reid, the inventor, was a high-energy person of many interests and talents, as well as a technical genius. This story is told by his son, who helped his father assemble the craft in their Asbury Park, New Jersey back yard, and who was the pilot of the Reid Flying Submarine. Photos and drawings illustrate how the sub was made, and show it being tested in the water and in flight. Don Reid gained minor celebrity status for his novel idea and appeared on the popular television programs, I've Got A Secret, To Tell The Truth, and The Johnny Carson Show. He was an aviation pioneer who was never fully recognized for his innovative contributions. Read this engaging story of invention and experimentation, and find out what ultimately became of the extraordinary Reid Flying Submarine! (2004), 2012, 5½x8½, paper, 178 pp. 
101-R3136 
ISBN: 0788431366" synopsis taken from Heritage Books, www.heritagebooks.com.

Donald Reid, father of the author of this book, designed his single-seat craft in 1961. It had a 65 hp engine for flight, and a 1 hp electric motor to provide the power for underwater propelling.  He first demonstrated his craft on 9 June 1964. Mr. Reid was an engineer at North American Aviation, aircraft manufacturers. He tested model-sized prototypes before building the larger, piloted size aircraft.

Photograph of Reid's Flying Submarine, www.images.google.com

Ancestorstuff.com, LLC has this book listed in their online catalog.  If you are interested in getting of copy of this book for yourself, or someone you know who likes to read about topics on inventions, make it a point to order this book, item number 501-R3036,  at www.ancestorstuff.com. List price for this book is $20,00, but you can order it from us for $18.00.

Fannie's rating for this book is Two Paws Up, and 3 Woofs!  She said that she was very impressed with how this book kept her interest from beginning until the end. Fannie also mentioned that her paws hurt from turning the pages so fast as she read about this exciting invention.  Now, she dreams of entering mechanical and aviation engineering someday in her future.  But first, she has to pass those nasty 8th grade exams this month.

Don't miss the next posting of Fannie's Favorites next month.  Fannie is currently reviewing the AncestorStuff publication catalog for her next favorite read.

For future reference...Fannie's Rating System is as follows :

Engaging/Educational Factor......No Paws UP, One Paw UP, Two Paws UP

Entertainment Value.....No Woofs, One Woof, Two Woofs, Three Woofs

Fannie's Favorites : April 2016

Fannie's Favorites

Fannie has been very excited to post her first favorite book for www.AncestorStuff.com, LLC

This month she has chosen :

J. Wilkes Booth: An Account of His Sojourn in Southern Maryland after the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, His Passage Across the Potomac, and His Death in Virginia,  (1893, 1990), 2016, 5½x8½, paper, 130 pp.  By Thomas A Jones.   ISBN: 1556133022

As a fan of Civil War and historical documents, this book captured Fannie's interest.  How cool that someone who was intimately involved with John Wilkes Booth and his covert plans to make history, actually penned the scenario. Practically a first person account! And, what's more, Thomas Jones was never arrested for his involvement with John Wilkes Booth.  Did you know that there were plans to kidnap President Lincoln?  Fannie was quite surprised to read this. If Robert E. Lee did not surrender his troops, this story could have taken a turn for the worse.  President Lincoln just might have been taken by rebels and used in a way to thwart the victory for the Union.  Fannie awards this book a "Two Paws UP"  and a "Triple Woof" rating (that means she really like it!),

"Southern Maryland was strongly sympathetic towards the Confederacy during the Civil War, which was very convenient for the government in Richmond. The Confederate Secret Service established a corps of agents there who facilitated the movement of mail, supplies, and personnel between Washington City and elsewhere in the North, and Richmond. The author of this volume, Thomas A. Jones, was one of those agents. John Wilkes Booth was also involved in secret transactions for the Confederacy, as evidenced by his associations and actions, although no document has ever been found showing his “appointment” as an agent. In 1865 a plot to capture President Lincoln and carry him to Richmond as a bargaining chip in negotiations for a peace on terms acceptable to the South was orchestrated by Booth, who assembled a colorful band of co-conspirators. The plan called for transporting the captive Lincoln down the Southern Maryland “mail route” across the Potomac and on to Richmond. At least one attempt to capture Lincoln was made, but failed. After Lee surrendered, Booth changed the plan from a simple capture of Lincoln to the simultaneous assassination of Lincoln and key cabinet members which, if it had succeeded, would have paralyzed the government in the North. The outcome of Booth’s effort is well known--Lincoln was assassinated, Secretary Seward was gravely injured, and Booth fled down the Southern Maryland “mail route,” leaving the balance of the plan unfulfilled. Enter Thomas A. Jones and his account of what followed. A most engaging bit of history. Ironically, Jones, who was clearly involved in Booth’s escape in a very significant way, was never charged or tried." excerpt taken from the posting at HeritageBooks.com.

AncestorStuff.com, LLC has added this selection to it's New Item category this month.

The publication is currently at the printer.  If you are interested in getting a copy of this book for yourself, or some Civil War history buff, like Fannie, make a point to order it through www.ancestorstuff.com.  The List Price is posted at $18.50, but you can purchase it from our site for just $16.65 (plus shipping and handling charges).  

Don't miss the next posting of Fannie's Favorites next month.  Fannie is currently reviewing the AncestorStuff publication catalog for her next favorite read.

For future reference...Fannie's Rating System is as follows :

Engaging/Educational Factor......No Paws UP, One Paw UP, Two Paws UP

Entertainment Value.....No Woofs, One Woof, Two Woofs, Three Woofs