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Paul Bellamy
12/20/2007 8:33:03 PM | With the opening up of membership of the 401BG Association to all with an interest, how about a concerted effort to get enough interest for a second print run of the Turner Publishing "401st Bomb Group - The Best Damn Outfit in the USAAF".
I don't know how many people Turners require to have signed up on their waiting list, nor is there any indication of such on their website, but if we could all spread the word, or even put a reminder in PFG it might speed up the process.
For reference, the book's page on the Turner's website, with the facility to "be added to the waiting list" can be found HERE.
Perhaps, especially with the growing interest in the 401st in the UK, aided by the event in September, now is the time to go for a 2nd edition?
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
12/21/2007 6:33:55 AM | Paul,
Just wondering if you have a copy of this book? I obtained a copy in the summer from a place in Gloucestershire for
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
12/21/2007 7:39:27 AM | Sadly no, I've not been able to find a copy for anything like a sensible price so far.
Hence the idea of a 2nd edition, especially as Turners still list it at under $50. 😉
There seem to be far too many of these short-run books falling into the hands of "specialist book dealers" who put them up at hugely inflated prices these days.
On a related note, the last unsold copy of Return from Berlin in the UK should have arrived on my doorstep from Amazon Bedford 40 minutes ago "guaranteed"...... tracking info shows it's gone from Bedford, through Dundee, and is currently in a van trundling around north London....... Terrific.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
12/21/2007 7:54:47 AM | That's bad news Paul, I got "Return from Berlin" from the States in the summer it's only paperback but it is new and only cost me around
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
12/24/2007 6:57:00 AM | "Return from Berlin" arrived safe and sound at 08.30 today.
That's my holiday reading sorted then. 😉
TTFN,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
12/24/2007 11:47:32 AM | That's good news Paul enjoy the book, me and "The Boss" have and have a good Christmas looking forward to meeting you in the new year.
All the best
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Paul Bellamy
10/1/2008 5:42:45 PM | Bumpetty bump.....
With the 2008 reunion only a few days away, for those of us who can't attend, please can we have a big push from attendees who don't have a copy of "The Best Damn Outfit" to get interest in another run...... pleeeeeease.
This is the Association's best chance to get the core interest in reprints, for family and friends. If someone could contact Turner Publishing to see how many names are on the waiting list (I know mine is......) all the better.
This book is virtually unobtainable second hand, anywhere in the world.
So come on guys and gals......let's get this book republished.
All the best,
Paul
Paul Bellamy
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Phoenix
10/2/2008 1:57:50 PM | Paul,
I've re-read this thread, I got my copy last year for £54 and if Turners are still listing it at 50 Dollars, well, with the current exchange rate I don't reckon I did too badly. My copy however has no dust cover just a dark blue and gold bonded leather job, reprint most likely but it is immaculate. 😎 Don't fancy your chances of getting a reprint passed by the board though!!! :shock:
Tallyho
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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donaldbyers
10/2/2008 9:16:25 PM | Dale,
This one has nothing to do with the Board of Directors. This one is a Turner Publishing Co. Book. Have no idea if they have anyone one their waiting list or not.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Phoenix
10/3/2008 9:35:32 AM | Don,
Without wishing to get into full scale conflict with you, I have to disagree and before you launch any medium sized thermo-nuclear devices at me let me explain.
As I understand it to get a book published requires a reasonable financial backing either individual, group or subscription. As I also understand it when the first print of this title was launched it was with the help and backing of the Association. So I think Pauls point and I am being presumptious here, in bringing this up close to the reunion is to gather support and backing for the reprint. In which case I think the board does have a bearing on any movement toward a reprint, are they not there to promote the 401st?
However I also understand that a publisher would need a large minimum order at substantial cost and as it has been pointed out before is the interest really there? With all due respect I think Paul overestimates the renewed interest in the 401st and feel a reprint is something of a pipe dream, unless, of course the board has spare cash burning a hole in its pockect 😂
Tallyho
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/3/2008 11:01:10 AM | This is my second attempt to email today as my first email disappeared.
To answer everyones question about the possibility of Turner Publishing re-publishing this wonderful book for us, I called Turner Publishing today. There are only 14 people on the waiting list at this time. In order for the book to be re-published by Turner Publishing they would usually have to have orders of at least 200-250 books for them to reprint it.
However -- -- that being said they would reprint an amount of 150 books wholesale for the 401st for approximately $30.00 a piece. Obviously the more books you order the less they cost. When I talked to them this morning they gave me several good ideas as to how the 401st could sell the books and if the 401st Association sold them at the same retail amount that Turner Publishing does ($49.99).... they would in fact make a profit.
This idea has gone back and forth for some time and frankly I find there are many people who would love to have this book to pass on to family members as well as others who have never had the chance to own a copy. I myself would like at least 4 copies. Rare book dealers and Air museums would also love to have copies to sell so I think the board does indeed need to consider this as we are supposed to do every thing in our power to keep the 401st memory alive. If they would ok such a venture I would be willing to help in any way I could as I believe the reprint is worth doing.
The reunion is also the perfect place to have people sign a sheet saying they or their family members want copies as well. In fact they could be pre-sold and deposits or payments taken and that money could be placed down on the order or set up Pay Pal and do it that way. Any money collected would be the down payment.
I have all the facts I received in an email and Don I would like to send it to you so you can present it to those attending in DC if you are willing?
Here are suggestions that I was given this morning by Turner:
Consider these ideas for increasing your reprint book order:
1. Contact relevant museums/military groups & offer a 25% bulk discount to those
who commit to buy 50 or more books.
2. Add book reprint information to your association newsletters & website & take
orders to ship at the time the reprinted books are available.
3. Distribute book flyers at all association meetings/events.
4. Urge your members to buy two books and donate one book to their local library.
Offer a 20% discount to all who buy two or more copies.
All of these ideas are good ones and I also think an article in ~~Poop From The Group~~ would help as well. I think it is something worth pursuing as they do currently have the "plates" for the book. If they did not have them a book would have to be taken apart and rescanned.
Don,
Please let me know if you would like the quote I was sent...
Jackie
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donaldbyers
10/3/2008 1:01:56 PM | Jackie you can send me the Quote Thanks.
Dale no device coming your way buddy. Yes the Assn. did back the initial publishing of this book. All I was trying to say was that the Assn. really has no control over getting it reprinted unless as Jackie has stated purchase an amout of books at discount to sell then at profit. Maybe I confused you and others or even myself. It would still be a sizable investment for the Assn. of at least $4,500 to do this. It's like asking someone out for a date you have to be prepaired to accept the answer.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/3/2008 2:35:52 PM | Hi Don,
I am sending you the quote and I hope you will be able to convince those attending the reunion in DC that it is an important item that needs to be discussed. The more I think about them taking orders for the book and using that money as a down payment the better I like it. Turner's suggestions about selling the book are also very good.
You will have the quote this evening.
Jackie
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
10/3/2008 4:13:48 PM | Don,
Just a quick note and thought. You may want to point out to the 401st Association just how much interest there is and has been in this topic.
http://www.401bg.org/401bgweb/401bg_forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=271 1320 views
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=298 401 views
This is extremely high viewing which shows just how many are interested in this subject and I think it is necessary to point this out to others.
Just my humble opinion.
Jackie
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Phoenix
10/4/2008 5:39:27 AM | Well guys,
Lets just hope and pray all the good will gets some results.
Now if there is a reprint could someone get me a dust cover as my copy doesn't have one!!!!!!! 😢
Tallyho
Dale
improvise, adapt, overcome
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