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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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RickA, that's awesome.
Thanks for the enthusiasm, team. I'd be VERY interested in people engaging China's Wings critically, so if you're inclined, go for it.
When I first started working on it, I thought I'd be plagued by a lack of primary material to work with. In the end, I was overwhelmed by it, and it was a problem of reduction, not construction. I'm still haunted by the fabulous details I had to leave out in the interest of maintaining "narrative momentum."
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Greg, found a copy available in Montrose and will get it today so that I can read it before my Grand Canyon float trip- don't want to take a hardbound book down there.
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Peter Haan
Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
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Pilgrims, this book is easily obtainable online, so don't hesitate and fire off an order. Greg deserves the full force of our support!
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TYeary
Social climber
State of decay
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Greg at Vroman's giving his new book "wings".
I am about half way through it, and I must say, it is a rare thing that I have enjoyed a non climbing tome as much as this. My family has some personal history in China, specifically in Shanghai, in the mid 30's to 1940, so it hit squarely home. Beyond that it is a great, little known story of dare-doing and high adventure in a time and place seemingly lost in history, except to those who lived it. Not so anymore. Great job Greg!
TY
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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That was a GREAT event, Tony! Thanks for coming out.
I was thrilled with all of it, but especially to see so many friends in the audience to go with the actual CNAC veterans themselves. Very exciting.
And the best news of all is how much people seem to be enjoying the book -- it was a genuine labor of love on this end. A lot of labor. But worth every second.
And Jim, yes, aside from the fact that China's Wings is right in the wheelhouse of books you generally enjoy, you are required to read it. There will be a quiz, so don't fake it.
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Mar 12, 2012 - 11:33am PT
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My China's Wings San Francisco event is tomorrow, Tuesday, 3/13, at 7:00 pm at Bookshop West Portal, at 80 West Portal Avenue.
As an added bonus, Moon Chin has said he'll attend. Moon is one of China's Wings main supporting characters. He's one of the most fascinating men I've ever met, and I'm absolutely thrilled that he's coming. He'll celebrate his 99th birthday this coming April. It's no exaggeration to call him a living aviation legend. I made a series of posts about him on my website, which are best perused by starting here and working your way forward in time.
I'll be speaking on Wednesday at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara. (Wednesday, 3/14, 7:00 pm). Without Moon, I'm afraid, but I'm hoping for a big hometown crowd, and a fun post-presentation gathering for cocktails at Harry's Plaza Cafe.
Everyone is of course welcome at both events.
Here's a post I just made of 1930s airline luggage labels and a CNAC poster. Colorful stuff! I love all this old aviation history.
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
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Mar 13, 2012 - 02:52pm PT
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I'm going to be at the Santa Barbara gig. Anyone else?
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Mar 19, 2012 - 08:42pm PT
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Incredible week for me and China's Wings:
Hugely successful events at Bookshop West Portal in SF and Chaucer's in Santa Barbara.
Moon Chin, one of the book's main supporting characters attended the Bookshop event:
I did this Three Books piece on golden age aviation books that aired on NPR's All Things Considered last Friday
And best news of all for China's Wings, it hit #9 on the LA Times Bestseller list this past weekend.
My heartfelt gratitude to all of you in the climbing community who have helped make China's Wings launch such a success. Honestly, I don't think it would have happened without you.
Plus, in a post that is actually climbing related: I've got a piece on the AAC/Alpine Club of Iran exchange I participated in last summer in the new issue of The Atlantic.
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Gene
climber
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Apr 10, 2012 - 03:35pm PT
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Greg,
I look forward to reading the book. I am so happy to see that Vroman's is still around. I spent many an hour there back in the 60s and 70s. I wish you (and Vroman's) continued success!
g
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Apr 10, 2012 - 07:15pm PT
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plug for Greg's book signing
Greg Crouch: China Wings Presentation and Book Signing - April 13, 2012
China Wings: Intrigue Romance, and Adventure in the Middle Kingdom During the golden Age of Flight.
Greg's book was published last month to raving reviews and he will be at Garagiste Headsburg in Healdsburg at 6:00 pm on Friday April 13 for a presentation and book signing. Garagiste is a micro-winery with a tasting room and wine lounge.
Garagiste Healdsburg
439 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448.
Phone: 707.431.8023
http://garagistehbg.com/
There's a teaser for Greg's show on the Garagiste events page, and a lot more China's Wings related information on Greg's website: http://gregcrouch.com/ including a link to the Wall Street Journal's review of China's Wings.
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Apr 10, 2012 - 07:25pm PT
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Bought a copy and am looking forward to reading it!
Erik
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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Apr 11, 2012 - 10:16am PT
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I'm super-looking forward to Friday's event at Garagiste... not only is it owned by one of my best friends, but it'll be an interesting twist to be presenting with a glass of wine in my hand. Or two. Should be a fun evening with lots and lots of "aviation porn" splayed across the wall.
And cowpoke, psyched that you heard that NPR interview in the car and were inspired to start a thread.
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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May 15, 2012 - 07:54pm PT
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Forgive me, but I'm very pleased to report that China's Wings gets just got a glowing review in World War II magazine...
Plus, literary-minded climbers might enjoy these entertaining outtakes from China's Wings, relics of where my story intersected with the likes of Emily "Mickey" Hahn, Martha Gellhorn, and Ernest Hemingway.
Emily "Mickey Hahn, Hugh Woods, CNAC and her two pet gibbons, the first of three parts to what is a pretty hilarious story.
Mickey Hahn, Ernest Hemingway, and "The Boxer Uprising" -- which I also find pretty hilarious, at the same time confessing to having more than a little crush on Mickey Hahn.
An adventure in a Chungking brothel... beware, this post is R-rated.
And in case you're motivated to pick up a copy, any of the buttons at the upper right corner of my website should get the job done. (My publisher asks me not to favor any particular bookseller.)
Allow me to stump one more time for Mickey Hahn.... you might enjoy her collection of China-related articles that appeared in The New Yorker in the late 1930s and early '40s: No Hurry to Get Home
Her story "The Big Smoke," about her opium addiction and cure, is worth the price alone. I also enjoyed her book China to Me, but I think you might have to be much more of a China aficionado to appreciate it.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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May 15, 2012 - 09:07pm PT
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Finished the book during my trip to Brazil. I have always been a history buff and I looked forward to Greg's book knowing the amount of effort and research he put into it. I was not disappointed, he brought that era of early air traffic and war in China vividly alive. Some histories are very informative and some are good reads- China's Wings is both.
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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May 15, 2012 - 10:17pm PT
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Jim, you're morally obligated to say you like it.
In this particular case, reviewing your old climbing partner's book, the discount put on your verbage by the climbing world is probably 99 percent.
Fortunately, on other topics you're lent more credibility. ;-)
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Bob_Banks
climber
Santa Barbara, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 15, 2012 - 11:35pm PT
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China’s Wings is a great read, no doubt.
I’m a history geek, but I certainly think that it is more than palatable for the non-history buffs out there. It’s a great story, well told and starring a cast of colorful characters to spark the pages to life.
Thoroughly enjoyed it Greg! Sorry I missed you at Harry’s when you blew through SB, but I heard it was a great turnout.
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Gregory Crouch
Social climber
Walnut Creek, California
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May 16, 2012 - 09:59am PT
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Thanks Bob... that ended up being a pretty fun night. Closed down one of those dives on the other side of State Street. And super great to see so many friends packed into Chaucer's. We'll catch you next time, hopefully.
Cheers, GC
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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May 16, 2012 - 11:18am PT
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Yeah Greg, the obligatory post from your old climbing partner praising your book.....but, damn, I really, really liked it. I was busy in Rio with all of the activities associated with the climbing festival but always looked forward to getting back to my room, often late at night, and digging into your book.
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