'I never saw the wires.' Those opening words introduce a potentially-deadly sailplane crash, from which, by a twist of fate, the author escapes unharmed. From that near-death experience to the poignant final farewell scene, Jim Richards' first-person story, with its audacious choices, unswerving determination, and joy in the doing is a page-turner. With vivid descriptions, optimism and wry humor the author traces his lifelong fascination with aircraft, taking the reader behind the scenes in radio, advertising and on high-action commercial film shoots involving refueling tankers, jet fighters, helicopters, Concorde and, of course, sailplanes. For the author, learning to fly sailplanes at Narromine, New South Wales, was at first befuddling, then a challenge, finally an exultation. With an unrivaled eye for detail, he takes us into the cockpit with him; we are there at the controls, rising like a bird, flying great distances at speed, powered only by the sun. Richly textured with anecdotes, memorable characters and pulse-quickening action, The Road To Narromine will lift your spirits, re-awaken belief in a glass half full and change forever the way you view a summer sky. "Loved the descriptions of flying and the sheer joy of it comes through beautifully. Jim Richards makes me want to get up there in the thermals with him." Carl Hoffman-best-selling author of The Lunatic Express and Hunting Warbirds "The Road To Narromine is a love story-a story about a love of flying, told with infectious enthusiasm, in brilliant, evocative prose. This is a book that delights, surprises and enchants the reader with its subject's flame for life." Clinton Smith-award-winning author of The God Game, The Fourth Eye, Exit Alpha, Deep Six and Project Thunder " . . . truly captures the beauty and mystery of silent flight. Full of inside details, vast panoramas and human interest . . . about much more than just the flying. I want to drive that road!" Tony Koester-author, columnist, editor, sailplane pilot, flying instructor.
About the Author: Jim Richards has lived in five countries and four of the world's major cities. He has over 150 international awards for directing television commercials. Born in England just prior to World War 2, he emigrated to Canada with his parents at age 10. After an event-filled teenage life in a small Ontario town, he moved to Bermuda as a radio announcer. From there he leapt to New York and big-time advertising. Then to London as a commercial director. Thence to Sydney, Australia, for 17 years, as head of Challenges Accepted, his award-winning television commercial production company. A lifelong fascination with sailing and with aircraft led him finally to learn to fly sailplanes (combining the best of both), in Australia, at age thirty-nine. He went on to become a cross-country and competition pilot. He has been writing all his life, mostly for film and advertising magazines (and occasionally Model Railroader, the hobby's leading periodical). Now retired, he has written his first full-length book, The Road To Narromine, a first-person life story about flying sailplanes over the Outback, shooting commercials (many involving aircraft) and driving that eponymous road, always 'following the energy' in all things. He lives with his wife, Jean, in a Colorado mountain valley.