fledgling

Fledgling: Jason Steed
$13.95
I guess you could basically call me a closet James Bond freak, but I decided to pick up this particular book recently. Boy, was I surprised! I don't guess you could really call Jason a "traditional" spy, but I really really enjoyed this book. And I was quite surpirsed at how engaging it is (being an adult), as it seems it is written for the younger crowd. He seems like an Everyman spy, as he has friends and struggles with teen issues and everything else.

The book is much more than your typical spy novel--its like a spy novel with a few other genres mixed in.

Of course, once the book gets going, you might as well fasten your seatbelt--cuz its a thrill a minute.

Author Mark Cooper crafted this tale quite well--it reads strong and solid throughout, and I think he has the keen writing instincts to make this book appeal to adults and of course to the younger generation as well.

Five stars all the way around--can't wait for the next one.

Fledgling
$6.99
I tend to choose my books from the library mainly based on the strength of the illustrations and only casually flip through the text, checking that the message of the book isn't one I find offensive. I save the really juicy task of reading the books cover to cover for when I get home. This book, both during the flip-through and the first reading alone, didn't really appeal -- but I found when I went to share it with my daughter that in reading aloud this story comes alive! There are only a few words on each page but, since the text is the thoughts inside Fledgling's head as she ventures out into the city on her own, flying for the first time, you really feel that you are taking the flight alongside her. The urban scenery is detailed and realistic although my daughter, never having been on the subway, missed most of the action when the inhabitants of the subway car frantically try to shoo away the confused and frightened bird. The story also has a reassuring message; when Fledgling realizes she doesn't know where home is, she hears the sound of her family calling her and returns safely. This is a fantastic book for any nature lover, or to teach your child about some of the wildlife that has made our cities their home.

The Qualcomm Equation: How a Fledgling Telecom Company Forged a New Path to Big Profits and Market Dominance
$19.95
I used to work for Qualcomm and found this gave a great historical perspective on the company and its culture. If you work there too or if you want to learn some of the practices of a standout company, this one should be on your list.

From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force During the Border War
$39.95
In the southwestern region of Africa from 1966 to 1989 a bloody border war took place in Angola and Namibia. A key aspect of the conflict was the use of military air power. "From Fledgling to Eagle: The South African Air Force During The Border War" by Brigadier General Dick Lord has written a comprehensive and definitive history of the South African Air Force (SAAF) operations as part of every major South African Defence Force (SADF) operation from the outbreak of hostilities to the 'April Fool's Day War' in 1989. Lord writes with a particular expertise drawn from his own personal operational reports and diaries, enhanced with recorded anecdotes of aviators from individual squadrons and flyers from all manner of military aircraft from Mirages to C-160s to helicopters. Of special note is the descriptive information on SAAF coordination with various ground troop units. "From Fledgling to Eagle" is more than a simple recording of battles, but also offers analysis into such aspects of the conflict as Angola as a Soviet proxy in an attempt to weaken South Africa as a regional power. Informed and informative, is a terrific read and a welcome addition to personal and academic library Military History collections in general, and Military Aviation Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.