By Jove, Biggles!: Life of Captain W.E.Johns - Softcover

Ellis, Peter Berresford & Williams, Piers

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863790542 ISBN 13: 9780863790546

Publisher: W.H.Allen, 1985

Synopsis

This is the first biography of one of the most popular children's authors of the mid-twentieth century, who is probably best known for the creation of the character Biggles - loved by adults and children alike.

Captain W.E. Johns (1893-1968) wrote 168 books, of which 98 were Biggles stories. These have been translated into many languages - at one time, according to UNESCO statistics, Biggles was the most popular juvenile fiction hero in the world. The Biggles stories have been adapted for radio, television and comic strips, and there is currently speculation about a full-length Biggles film.

Johns' many other books written for children include a series of science fiction novels. He also made a serious attempt to establish himself as a writer of adult thrillers and romances. His journalistic output was equally prolific and varied. In addition to writing articles and editorials for Popular Flying and Flying magazines, he was a regular contributor to a gardening magazine.

By Jove, Biggles! looks at the long and active career of the man who has had a major influence on generations of children all over the world. It concentrates particularly on his wartime experiences, on which he based many of the early works, and tells how, after the First World War, Johns played a significant part in the enlisting of A/C Ross (Lawrence of Arabia) into the RAF. There is also a critical analysis of Johns' work, and a discussion of the attack on his books by librarians who objected to Johns' alleged use of racial stereotypes and his jingoistic attitudes. In addition the authors have compiled an extensive and invaluable bibliography of Johns' writings.

A carefully documented and well-researched biography which brings to life not only the man but the years of conflict and change in which he played such an active part.

Edition details

• Publisher: W.H.Allen
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863790542
• ISBN 13: 9780863790546
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304