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Author
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Topic: Come Up and Get Me (Kittinger autobiography)
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Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-20-2009 09:35 AM
   
I talked to University of New Mexico Press today, and they said that they plan to release this in Spring 2010. This should be interesting. Come Up and Get Me: An Autobiography of Colonel Joseph Kittinger
by Joseph W. Kittinger with Craig Ryan
Foreword by Neil ArmstrongA few years after his release from a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp in 1973, Colonel Joseph Kittinger retired from the Air Force. Restless and unchallenged, he turned to ballooning, a lifelong passion as well as a constant diversion for his imagination during his imprisonment. His primary goal was a solitary circumnavigation of the globe, and in its pursuit he set several ballooning distance records, including the first solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1984. But the aeronautical feats that first made him an American hero had occurred a quarter of a century earlier. By the time Kittinger was shot down in Vietnam in 1972, his Air Force career was already legendary. He had made a name for himself at Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo, New Mexico, as a test pilot who helped demonstrate that egress survival for pilots at high altitudes was possible in emergency situations. Ironically, Kittinger and his pre-astronaut colleagues would help propel Americans into space using the world's oldest flying machine—the balloon. Kittinger's work on Project Excelsior--which involved daring high-altitude bailout tests--earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross long before he earned a collection of medals in Vietnam. Despite the many accolades, Kittinger's proudest moment remains his free fall from 102,800 feet during which he achieved a speed of 614 miles per hour. In this long-awaited autobiography, Kittinger joins author Craig Ryan to document an astonishing career. Craig Ryan is the author of Magnificent Failure: Free Fall from the Edge of Space and The Pre-Astronauts: Manned Ballooning on the Threshold of Space. He lives in Portland, Oregon. 6 x 9 288 pages 18 halftones |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-20-2009 09:37 AM
Thanks for the info, Jurg! |
SVaughan
Member Posts: 42
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 11-20-2009 03:18 PM
Fantastic news! Joe Kittinger's 1961 autobiography "The Long, Lonely Leap" is tougher to find than a vintage James McDivitt NASA litho signed in something other than green ink. And although some of his story has been told in good recent books, I have long waited his full autobiography. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 11-20-2009 04:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by SVaughan:
Fantastic news! Joe Kittinger's 1961 autobiography "The Long, Lonely Leap" is tougher to find than a vintage James McDivitt NASA litho signed in something other than green ink.
Not to nitpick, but most of McDivitt's green signatures came after his NASA career...or at least after his active time on flight crew rotations. Most of the truly vintage mid 60s McDivitt signatures I see are not green. Regarding the Kittinger book, I can't wait. A lot of important events in his life occurred after The Long, Lonely Leap was published, so I agree it'll be great to finally get the full story. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-20-2009 08:08 PM
John Masters, my grandson and I had lunch with Joe and his lovely wife Sherry on October 9th (the 9th John? The Friday before the wedding). He even bought. They are both excited about this, as they had originally planned on re-releasing the Long Lonely Leap with updates. However somehow there is an issue with the rights and they opted to simply do a biography instead. Craig Ryan is a very accomplished author and had done as stated "The Pre Astronauts". But now they are moving along. I asked about a booksigning tour, and of course it is up to the publisher. We did speak about helping set something up if the publisher is not going to do it, in Florida. Or maybe at a space autograph show? We discussed that as well, but he is adamant about NOT signing autographs for a fee so it would be a venue he could speak, sign books and not be involved in the show itself. Like a show out west.  I'll be happy to post more as I become aware. The Long Lonely Leap is difficult to obtain. I recently saw a gent offer one up for sale here on cS. I saw it later in the day and emailed him. No one had contacted him, and I bought it for less than $100 and he threw in the shipping. He was also in Florida and felt bad for "feeling like he ripped me off, but the book is so rare". I assured him I was more than pleased with the book, price and everything. So it's not impossible. Joe did sign it that day and it's a personal inscription I am very proud of. |
Kevmac
Member Posts: 267
From: College Station, TX
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 11-21-2009 12:13 AM
Many of us in the aviation-geek community look forward to this book. I appreciate his philosophy of not charging a fee for a signed book. We need to get him to sit in on a space autograph show and see if his doctrine will rub off on the other signees (I'm only half-joking here).One thing I've appreciated in the past is the ability to order a signed book directly from an author, publisher, or dealer at book cost or for a small fee. I hope Col. Kittinger will consider this approach as well. It's not always possible to travel to the shows and book signings or ask someone to get it for you. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-15-2009 09:02 AM
The link in the original post is dead. Here's is the correct one and the amazon.com link. |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 12-24-2009 08:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Kevmac:
One thing I've appreciated in the past is the ability to order a signed book directly from an author, publisher, or dealer at book cost or for a small fee. I hope Col. Kittinger will consider this approach as well.
Joe and Sherry are the nicest couple you would ever want to meet, and certainly the most accommodating. That being said, let's recall Joe is not the spring chicken he used to be. I would think that he'd be up for this though. Payment being the "bug a boo". |
JLR1
Member Posts: 63
From: Cincinnati, OH
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 05-25-2010 07:28 PM
Has anyone received this book yet? I pre-ordered from Amazon and just got notification that they were temporarily out of stock just days after it was supposed to be available (May 15) |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-26-2010 12:05 AM
And the University of New Mexico Press web site says it's on backorder. (?) |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-26-2010 02:32 AM
I too got this from Amazon.com: "We're still trying to obtain the following item[s] you ordered on April 05 2010." Temporarily out of stock, although you can get one "off-Amazon" for $133! Sounds like a ridiculously short print-run. |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 05-26-2010 10:09 AM
I just talked to a lady at UNM Press, they are scheduled to release the book mid-June, I also asked about a book signing here in Albuquerque and am waiting for their response. I'll keep you updated if I find out anything. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 05-26-2010 01:59 PM
Ordered mine today. Thanks for the heads up! |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 06-15-2010 03:41 PM
Today at Hastings I held the book in my hands, I am still hoping for a booksigning here in Albuquerque. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 06-15-2010 07:57 PM
Received my copies from Amazon today. |
BMacKinnon
Member Posts: 230
From: Waterford, MI. USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 06-18-2010 09:47 AM
I just recieved my copy from Amazon yesterday. I am glad Joe put out a new book since his original is almost impossible to find. Started reading it last night and I didn't realize how far back his career went! Next month I plan to get it signed by Joe @ the NAHF dinner. I highly recommend that everyone order a copy while they are still available! |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 07-04-2010 09:22 PM
Anyone with any information on the drogue chute Kittinger used?I know it was about six feet in diameter. Was it a ring slot? Guide surface? Ribless guide surface? Number of gores? |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-08-2010 02:51 AM
The painting used for the cover was available online, even a signed version but I don't remember the dealer... Can someone refresh my memory? |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 07-08-2010 06:25 AM
This is a very enjoyable book and I recommend it highly. Joe's antics with balloons take up about half the book, the rest is about his military service. Joe was a fighter pilot thru and thru and wanted/liked nothing more than flying. The book has an open readable style and is full of interesting anecdotes. I never realized Joe spent nearly a year in the Hanoi Hilton as a POW - this is one tough guy and a real hero.Lou there is no technical information on the drogue chute(s) he used. He gives the name of the person who developed it - Burpe I think. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-08-2010 12:45 PM
I have Joe's new book ordered and am eagerly awaiting its arrival. I'm also fortunate to own a copy of The Long, Lonely Leap which is a great read. |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-09-2010 12:27 PM
Lou, I'm still looking into this. In Kittinger's new book, he describes the Beaupre-developed "Beaupre Multi-Stage Parachute" system as having an 18" diameter pilot chute, a 5-foot diameter stabilization chute, and a main chute (doesn't say how big) for Project Excelsior. I assume it's the stabilization chute you're interested in? |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1306
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 07-09-2010 09:53 PM
Thanks for looking into this guys.I know the main chute was a standard 28' flat (same o&w color pattern that Francis Gary Powers used). I never heard of a description of exactly how the drouge worked. I think (notice I say think) they went with a ribbon chute similar to what was used on Mercury and Gemini. |
kr4mula
Member Posts: 642
From: Cinci, OH
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-12-2010 10:55 AM
Kittinger describes it on page 75, but not in great detail. You can glean a few other bits from the same chapter, like he claims that the 5' diameter stabilization chute is being used by every ejection seat system in the world. |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-23-2010 03:28 PM
I got email today from the friendly lady at UNM press: Joe Kittinger will sign books in Albuquerque, NM: - Fri Oct 8, 1 pm, UNM bookstore
- Sat Oct 9, 2 pm, Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum
- Sun Oct 10, 3 pm, Bookworks.
None of these places have anything on the web right now as far as I can tell. But I did confirm with all 3 of them by phone, and I look forward to meeting him and reading the book. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 09-24-2010 01:45 PM
If someone is going to one of the book signings, would they mind picking one up for me. As I live in Birmingham, it is a bit far to travel. |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 10-11-2010 12:22 PM
I went to the book signing on Friday and had a good time. Let me know if you would like some photos I took of Joe Kittinger and his wife. Send me email, and I'll respond.
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Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 10-12-2010 09:03 AM
I have an extra signed copy for sale, $36 including shipping in the US. Send me email if you are interested.
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