Comments
Buehl was highly instrumental in ensuring Chief Anderson earned his Transport/Instructors Pilot License in 1932. To put it more clearly without The Flying Dutchman as young Anderson’s mentor and instructor, Anderson most likely would NOT have received that license.
Anderson’s granddaughter, Christina upon the indiction of Anderson into the National Aviation Hall of Fame
Following the career of one pioneer aviator, Ernest H. Buehl, this book tells a forgotten story of the early history of civilian aviation. After the achievement of the Wright brothers in 1903, the question remained, “What are airplanes good for?” The question was answered sooner in Europe than in the United States. When Buehl arrived in the United States from Germany in 1920, he had already seen the future and his career connects us with seminal developments on two continents.
I recommend this book for readers who are interested in the history of civilian aviation. It brings forward a great deal of information that is not discussed in other histories I have seen, and it sets the events into a straightforward perspective.
–Dan Hargrove, Lt. Col. USAF (ret.), former Deputy Operations Group Commander at Andrews Air Force Base and pilot of Air Force Two, currently Director of Aviation, Rocky Mountain College
When I was the sitting Air and Space Power Journal (ASPJ) chief editor, ASPJ being the professional journal of the United States Air Force, I read the manuscript for this book and provided editorial inputs. As a command pilot, with over 3,000 flight hours in three different airframes, and as an aviation enthusiast, I was more than happy with what I found in this book.
Mr. Taylor takes an individual (Ernest Buehl), and intricately weaves him into aviation history as significant enabler during the early industrialization of aviation. Mr. Taylor’s personal relationship, through marriage, to Buehl’s family provides the reader with an intimate look at not only the legends surrounding Buehl during his lifetime, but the backstory as well. Buried in the stories people told about him is a backstory of contributions more significant to the then-developing world of aviation than the people around him or, perhaps even Buehl himself, realized.
Mr. Taylor’s book is a worthy read in that it captures the flavors of early aviation both abroad and within the United States and touches on a pivotal figure that few have heard of, to include me until I reviewed the manuscript. His down-to-earth style of writing, his depth of research on Buehl and access to Buehl’s family and family records make Ernest H. Buehl, The Flying Dutchman of Philadelphia authoritative and unique. This manuscript will be at home in the collection of aviation or mechanical enthusiasts alike or anyone who craves a deeper understanding of how modern aviation was enabled by pioneers such as Buehl.
Steven J. Drinnon, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
former chief editor Air and Space Power Journal (ASPJ), the professional journal of the United States Air Force
“I just finished your book. It was a fun read, with a lot of interesting characters, which you detailed at the end. Fabulous research.”
Mark Savage has been reviewing cars for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel since 1989 and now WUWM (NPR). He is the founder and lead writer for Savage on Wheels
Because of the many things Buehl did to promote civil aviation we now have the the vast network of airlines today. The book is written in a very comfortable narrative style so that you feel like you are being told a story, a true story about Ernie Buehl. It is filled with photos and maps that help tell the story and it is so well-researched that you have complete faith that you are being told the facts. The author has included facts about other people in Buehl’s life and gave the context of the story at which their lives intersected. The bibliography is extensive and can lead you further into the topic if it catches your interest.
Ann, wiring on Goodreads
I highly recommend this book to anyone, interested in civil aviation or not.
I just finished the book and can’t express strongly enough how impressed I am with your scholarship and your writing!!!!! You are a MOST engaging writer!!!!! It was a pleasure to read this book!!!!!
Louisa
The book was engaging companion, with LOTS of marking up and underlining, so I’ve had to buy a couple more to send out. This copy is staying with me!!
Your skeptical approach to all the hoopla was just perfect, Mark. People can trust your account because of your meticulous research…WELL DONE!!!!!!!
I’m reading Ernest H. Buehl: The Flying Dutchman of Philidelphia, by Mark Taylor. Mark has written a thoughtful, probing, and comprehensive biography of a unique man. It is a reminder that the rich tapestry of history exists because hundreds of people are creating their lives, pursuing their dreams, and using their gifts. This is an important work.
Ken
Ernest Buehl was a pioneer in aviation. He participated in many of the early projects that created civil aviation, from air mail to arctic exploration. He began his career as a mechanic. He ended his career as the owner of an airport, training generations of pilots.
I think most of us take commercial aviation for granted. Civil aviation is a bit of a niche. The whole of aviation developed over the last hundred-plus years. From cloth-covered biplanes to supersonic jets, from grass runways to airports handling hundreds of flights daily, from flying being a novelty to a common experience, there were a few people who contributed from the beginning.
I just finished reading your book & thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very impressed with your writing & your research. I learned so much about Ernest Buehl and the history of aviation.
Arline