Ethel
New Member
Posts: 8
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Post by Ethel on Feb 5, 2002 15:47:28 GMT -5
I'm just about finished and boy do I have a lot to say. This is an excellent book well written. More on that later. Anyone else read this book?
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lennon@earthlink.com
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Post by lennon@earthlink.com on Mar 15, 2002 19:52:41 GMT -5
What is the son's name? Is it Jonathan Bach? If so that's cool that Bach named his son after the bird he wrote about in "Jonathan Seagull," and then that boy grew up to write his own book about being (possibly) beyond the here and now? Do you get my drift??
Maybe he too will shine like his father does.
Win
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Post by myopinion on Mar 22, 2002 20:59:16 GMT -5
I'm started on this one - it's interesting - another side of things.
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Post by ckcalutius@cs.com on Mar 26, 2002 12:34:50 GMT -5
I just got the book "Above the Clouds" yesterday evening, and it couldn't put it down. In fact, I'm almost finished reading it. It is very well written, much like his father but much more 'down to earth' in style. I've loved Richard Bach's writing for years, and it's very interesting to get this biographical view. It humanizes him, and yet shows the strength of his beliefs. I find it interesting, to, because Jonathan and I are the same age, and when I was two, my biological father left and 'cut out the daddy part' as well. And to add to the coincidence, I found out late in life that my biological father, who was also a pilot (see, weird) served with Richard in the Air Force in the 60s. So I feel kind of linked to Jonathan in a way.
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Post by myopinion on Mar 28, 2002 21:12:53 GMT -5
All done - I wonder what the kid is up to now. I wonder if Richard had stayed would he have lived up to the expectations of what Jon's idea of "father" would be. I wonder how he feels about the changes Richard made in his life. I wonder why Betty hasn't written a book. I wonder what Jim's doin. I wonder why Jon got dealt the hand - with the accident. I wonder about the step-father Jon, and his relationship with Jon now. I wonder if Jon will write anymore books. I liked his style. I wonder what it is like to be above the clouds. I wonder who's reading this and I wonder what they're thinking. I wonder if the webmaster knows that the advertisement above this today 3/28 is "tacky" on this page - in my opinion.
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Post by flyboy1 on Apr 14, 2002 13:33:16 GMT -5
The last I heard from Betty in an email is that Jim and Jon are both working in a high tech firm dealing with computer technology. In fact, I got to speak with Jonathan at their business location and asked if I sent my copy of Above The Clouds, would he autograph it for me. He replied that yes he would just send it out. I haven't yet.
When I last saw Jonathan, he was a toddler, Rob was 8 or 9 and Kristelle was a gangly 12 or so. It was very neat to meet Rob a year ago and share with him letters and photos that I have from his father. He was also kind to take my wife and I for a ride in his 1928 Travel Air Biplane. He said to me that now I could say that I have flown with two generations of Bachs. Richard took me flying with him on several occasions in his 1929 Detroit Parks biplane, including an overnight barnstorming trip. Additionally he performed snap rolls, a loop, and wing overs--all of which I loved. He even taught me how to do a wing over in a Cessna 150. I wish that I had thought to have him sign my log book for an hours instruction those many years ago.
I think that a book by Betty would be great to read, or anyone of his other children. Although Richard is rather reclusive these days, he was a very personable person when I knew him in Ottumwa, Iowa.
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Post by ckcalutius@cs.com on Apr 17, 2002 9:37:46 GMT -5
I was playing around on the internet, and found Jim Bach's company web-page, and on it, an article Jonathan wrote when he worked for Microsoft. Had his email at Microsoft, but I tried it and it didn't work. Too bad, cause I would like to tell him how much I enjoyed his book. (Always strange to read a non-fiction book, cause when the real person shows up somewhere, it's like having a character come to life.) Wonder if he plans to write still.
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Post by Jon on Jul 16, 2002 1:28:17 GMT -5
Wow...
...that's it, then. I've decided. Forget the second book. I'm staying stealthy and letting my legend grow! That's easier than admitting to you all that yes, I'm having a bit of writer's block with this one (trying fiction this time).
But Dad says a pro writer is an amateur that didn't quit, and sure enough, I've given up the second book about 5 times now, only to circle back to it like an orbiting moon.
Maybe it's because for most of these years since ATC, I've been a software tester, and that's made me a tough editor. Testing is about finding fault, so if you do that long enough, it's becomes difficult to write a sentence without re-writing it a hundred times!
I do get inspired by great stories (especially great movies like the recent "Road to Perdition"), and won't rest until I've met my standards for a moving, signifcant story that doesn't slam you over the head with its message.
Suffice it to say that reading this thread invigorates and inspires me to bulldoze through the troubles. Thanks much for your interest and encouragement! I hope to repay you with writing that will entertain, surprise, and inspire, as soon as my writing does that for me (and I get a publisher to agree)...
Sincerely,
Jonathan Bach
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Post by Michael Cloyd on Jul 16, 2002 7:21:00 GMT -5
Jonathan,
So nice to hear from you. I remember your father telling me just to write, write, write, even 2,000 words a day (although I think he may have been influenced somewhat by Ray Bradbury here) and the "driftwood would get out." Of course have I followed his advice, alas, no.
I had the great privilege of watching him write Nothing By Chance, or at least some pages of it. And he was just writing, it seemed, as fast as he could, then to go back later and edit, paring down each sentence to to its barest form. And the fantastic thing about it was he would hand me a page, typed on yellow paper, and allow ME to cross of any words that I thought were not needed. And to be mentioned in the book was a real highlight.
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Post by my opinion on Jul 16, 2002 20:50:30 GMT -5
Hey - Jon - I have read tons of books and the ones that make me wonder are the ones that touch me - you made me wonder about things - do it again - someday.
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Post by snowyh on Jul 17, 2002 16:57:07 GMT -5
Thanks, Jon, for dropping by and giving us an update. I selfishly hope that you publish your second novel because I enjoy the way you put words together ("only to circle back to it like an orbiting moon"--cool!). I've read ATC twice... read it the second time because I was trying to figure out if my enjoyment arose more from the subject matter or the writing style. No verdict... likely both... I doubt that it matters.
P.S. - I had put off reading ATC for some time, thinking that it was another "Mommie Dearest." What a pleasant surprise to find that it wasn't about slamming RB--it was about the personal growth experience you've had vis-a-vis your relationship with your father. Thanks for keeping it sincere.
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Post by Hikoushi on Mar 22, 2003 3:56:38 GMT -5
This isn't really Bach related (any of them) but has anyone read the book "Flight of Passage" by Rinker Buck? What did you think of that, it was to me very much like a cross of Nothing by Chance and ATC. If you have yet to read it I can highly reccommend it to you. Excellent story, and all true, no fiction.
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Post by Christian on Sept 7, 2003 5:51:28 GMT -5
I have read all of Richards books,and would very much like to read the book written by his son..Where can I find it ?? ( I live in finland, and it is not available in bookstores here..)
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Post by Michael Cloyd on Sept 11, 2003 9:48:40 GMT -5
If you have access to eBay you might find a used copy. That is what I did and the copy that I received was in mint condition. I wish you the best success. Have you ever eaten Lutefisk?
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Post by Christian on Oct 12, 2003 3:38:47 GMT -5
No I haven´t. Who´s the author?? What is it about? And thank you for the info..
Christian
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