Being there . . . . to begin the new year with two of the most definitive books Schiffer Publishing
ever marketed – -both on rare topics even the most advanced bibliophile, aficionado,
enthusiast, or relaxed reader have never stopped to realize and consider. May God Bless You in
and with hope, if you’re too much of a prig, NOT pig, but prig as defined, “. . .irritatingly self-
sufficient or punctilious in contemptuous know it all”. Thanks 1956 Merriam-Webster. because
you’ll certainly squander hours of genuine blissful reading joy with exceptionally rare
knowledge hitherto unknown, and thus unacknowledged by you. Right? Consider these. . . .
Very, very highly recommended, after reviewing by Don DeNevi
“THE U.S. AIR FORCE AIR RESCUE SERVICE – – An Illustrated History”, by Wayne Mutza. Schiffer
Military Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA. 19310: 2022 copyrighted, republished 2024, 287 pages,
hardbound, photos in color and black and white, too numerous to count, 8 ¾” x 11 ¼”,
exceptional appendices, abbreviations and terminology, and bibliography, $49.99. Visit, WEB:
www.schifferbooks.com; Email: INFO@SCHIFFERBOOKS.COM; Phone (610) 593-1777.
Then, hold your breath, drums please, the nonpareil, unconquerable, illimitable duo in,
“Collecting LAUREL and HARDY – – Autographs, Posters, Toys, Dolls, Games, Trading Cards,
Comic Books, Costumes, Props, and More!”, by (true aficionados) Danny Bacher and Bernie
Hogya, Foreword by Leonard Maltin. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA 19310: 2024
copyrighted and published, 287 pages, hardbound, photos in color and black and white, too
numerous to count; 9 ¼” x 12 ¼”, the bibliography? The only seven titles ever published on
Laurel and Hardy? A single page of almost 500+ Acknowledgments; a near perfect one
paragraph “Conclusion” by Danny and Bernie; and a thoughtful, meaningful, and necessary
Index. Incredibly, all for only $50. (Trust me on this one, cinephile and follower-reader, an
absolute must for your fledgling home library.)
The back cover design and text statement by co-authors Danny and Bernie brilliantly reads,
“Venture into the whimsical, wonderful, and often hilarious world of the collectibles that
celebrate one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedy teams. More than 1,000 full-color photos
of artifacts are combined with film history, fun stories, and painstaking research to create a
veritable encyclopedia of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia – – from Stan’s perpetual desk calendar
and Ollie’s ‘Way Out West’ pants, to rare lobby cards and original scripts, popular figurines and
games.”
“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” Remember Hardy always saying that
to Laurel old fogie?
Filled to the (bowler hat) brim with rare and desirable memorabilia, this near encyclopedia –
encomium, as Danny and Bernie define it, “A museum in print”, offers a tour through the
world’s largest assembly of Laurel and Hardy collectibles in one place. One can only dream their
next project will present with an equal, if not richer, museum and encomium on Bud Abbott
and Lou Costello. If challenged with that project, one senses Danny and Bernie are the only two
together who can masterfully accomplish such a challenge.
“The U.S. Air Force Air Rescue Service”, by Wayne Mutza, is the second definitive work here,
but this one focuses on the air rescue operations of the U.S. Air Force carries and the reader
from the birth of the service during WWII, through the Korean and Vietnam wars, and into
those of Iraq and Afghanistan. Accompanied by hundreds of photos, including many hitherto
unpublished, the excellent narrative details all aspects of air rescue operations from the
service’s founding, their specialized training and equipment, and discussions of such varied
aircraft types as the Stinson L-5, Douglas SC – 47, Douglas HC/SC-540 “Rescuemaster”, and a
host of others. During the Cold War, this air arm expanded greatly and added the new mission
of astronaut recovery through the early years of the U.S. space program, as well as providing
humanitarian aid during natural disasters worldwide. Air rescue came into its own during the
war in Vietnam when it became a highly skilled and effective force, rescuing thousands of fliers
down in combat, along with beleaguered ground troops. To this day, the current USAF Air
Rescue Service continues to live up to its motto, “THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE.”
Author Wayne Mutza provides us with a stimulating thorough book. Himself, the author of
more than 30 texts and numerous articles, he knows how to handle his homework and old-
fashioned leg work. Upon publication of this treatise, the USAF Air Rescue Service declared,
“The light of enthusiasm shines brightly and is reflected in this his latest effort, a devotion to
the history of air rescue.” AGREED! An impressively delightful, erudite, and engrossing work
covering so many acres of ground, every one of which with its own pleasant historical
background will please all readers.
