BOOK REVIEW
BILL MCCARTHY As a pilot and yacht navigator I have perhaps too much empathy with this writer to give an unbiased review. Paul Goodwin’s tribute to his Father is well written and researched, as it should be, with his father the major contributor. From a hard childhood in country Queensland, to an eager and curious young man, to a lead navigator in Bomber Command surviving two tours, and finally the last navigator employed by Qantas, is a hell of a story. He manages to explain in layman’s terms what the air war was like for the individual as well as the overall strategies and challenges of the senior command. The chance of surviving unscathed was less than 40 per cent. My father was one of the lucky ones. A wonderful tribute to the bravery and courage of the aircrews.
MARY BARBER This is the story of a Queensland boy who escapes an abusive childhood and makes a meaningful life for himself. It’s also the story of the young men in Bomber Command who put their lives on the line to stop the aggressive German war machine. It is well-written. Paul Goodwin has used his father’s flying logs, written memoirs and conversations to build this insightful book. The descriptions of bombing missions are vivid and fresh. The navigator Gordon Goodwin developed a real love and respect for the mighty Lancaster. I think this is an important book as it’s a first-person account of a significant time in recent history. It shows the remarkable courage and brotherhood people can find when freedom is threatened.
BOOK review JO BOURKE This is a factual account of the courageous men who were part of Bomber Command in World War II. It is not a genre I would normally read but it has stayed with me long after finishing it. The odds of returning to base after a bombing raid were a mere 50 per cent - a stark reality. The author has cleverly used his father’s memoirs and historical accounts to take us along with Gordon Goodwin as he and his fellow airmen helped change the course of the war. Gordon’s story is a life of achievement against the odds! It is an honest portrayal from his harsh early years until an uncle saw his potential and stepped in to encourage his thirst for education and achievement. I imagine that anyone who has a passionate interest in war history will have this book in pride of place on their bookshelf and will refer to it often. For me, I am content to have been immersed in this brave man’s life for a while along with his beloved Mary and his Qantas roles after the war. An interesting read.
THE LAST NAVIGATOR By Paul Goodwin
JOHN KLEINSCHMIDT This biography of Gordon Goodwin is a detailed and meticulous account of his life from difficult childhood days in Montville and Bundaberg through his years in the dangerous World War II service Bomber Command, to better days with Qantas. Gordon’s tough upbringing demanded results under lamentable circumstances, a trait that he exhibited to survive more than 65 bombing missions including the most dangerous missions over Berlin. His time in Bomber Command is a bit repetitive but nonetheless it vividly portrays the sheer scale of Bombing Missions, the loss of air crew and the hit and miss devastation of German cities. It was a relief to reach his Qantas years. A good read about a remarkable life.
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This book is a wellwritten excellent biography with great local flavour about an extraordinary Australian gentleman who grew up in Montville, trained as a sugar boiler in Bundaberg and then joined the RAAF as a navigator during World War II. Gordon rose through the ranks in England to become a master navigator and instructor. This highly decorated airman flew 65 dangerous missions over Nazi-controlled Western Europe with the Pathfinder squadrons. Accurate air navigation, mainly by celestial astrofixes, dead reckoning and intuition on wind speed were necessary to find and pinpoint enemy targets. These bombing raids were a major factor in securing victory. After the war he became the lead navigator for Qantas until computer navigation made redundant the exceptional skills of the last navigator. Some readers may find descriptions of the bombing missions a bit long and tedious but the story is spiced up with Gordon finding the love of his life and a real zest for living. The controversies about killing tens of thousands of civilians in order to win the war is especially relevant given the alleged war crimes in Afghanistan today. An enjoyable and informative read. 8/10
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TONY HARRINGTON
Gordon Goodwin was a decorated airman and an inspired leader. During World War II he served with the Pathfinders as they led bombing raids into Germany. He undertook 32 Pathfinder missions, including nine over Berlin, and 65 missions over enemy territory with Bomber Command. Surviving his childhood was perhaps a greater achievement. Raised in harsh and loveless circumstances outside Brisbane during the Depression, his accomplishments were remarkable. This is the powerful account of Gordon’s dangerous and brave war experiences as recalled for his son Paul. He not only survived the war but went on to a successful career with Qantas, finishing as its chief, and possibly last, navigator.
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