newsWelcome to Yet Another Biggles Site (YABS)
Yet Another Biggles Site (YABS to its friends) is one of many sites for James Bigglesworth, the intrepid pilot hero of Capt W.E. Johns.
YABS' aims are:
- to allow readers to review, rate, and thus rank, all the Biggles adventures
- to provide a complete reference for all characters and craft mentioned in those adventures
- to provide an accessible and modifiable bibliography
As a result, this is most definitely a reader's site. And that's because I'm sure, like me, most of us are readers first, collectors second.
review top 10
| Sergeant Bigglesworth CID |  |   (9) |
| The Camels are Coming |  | (9) |
| Biggles and Co |  |  (8.9) |
| The Black Peril |  | (8.8) |
| Biggles Pioneer Air Fighter |  | (8.8) |
| Biggles Flies East |  |  (8.7) |
| Biggles Foreign Legionnaire |  | (8.7) |
| Biggles Secret Agent |  | (8.7) |
| Biggles Takes Charge |  | (8.6) |
| Biggles of the Camel Squadron |  | (8.6) |
reviewer top 10
random review
From Andrew (Aug 2011):
One of the 'must reads' of the Biggles series, for its uniqueness and the importance of the characters in it. Quite a nostalgic feel to the book. In the end, Johns doesn't seem to be tempted to bring romance back into Biggles life, he is quite happy for Marie to remain old friends. Although it does say that both Biggles and Von Stalhein go to spend weekends at Marie's cottage - hmmm. I have this copy in fine condition, first edition with beautiful dust jacket, so a real collector's item. On one page there is a printing error that has a line in the wrong place, not sure if that is in all book copies or not. There is also a hilarious (ridiculous) illustration of Biggles reminiscing about WW1 days, but showing a WW2 plane! I give this book a 9/10 because it is well-written and interesting, atmospheric and realistic, and of course its subject makes it compelling reading. But I feel Johns could have done a little more with the unique circumstances - added some twists or made Biggles do some trickier stuff.
Can you guess what title is being described?
recent site news
Merry Xmas from Norman
My xmas present from Norman Wright just arrived. Lovely copy of Biggles in the Underworld. Copy #155 in the short print run.
What's rarer than a Norman Wright numbered hardback?
Due to copyright Norman Wright only publishes 300 numbered copies of titles in the glossy hardbacks. Luckily my "pimp" keeps me fed with these rare editions.
However have heard that there is an even rarer instance available. From Stuart:
I have just purchased a copy of Biggles and the Deep Blue Sea (very exciting) but it is NOT a numbered copy, rather it was a 'complimentary' copy of which 25 were produced and given away by Mr Wright - e.g. to those who had proof-read the book and to family etc. In place of a number written in by hand, it reads 'comp' short for complimentary.
As Stuart states, if we assume this is the pattern for all the books, then each title has a bonus 25 copies floating out there. Who'll be the first to collect them all?
Norman brings in the Camel
The wonders of another Norman Wright release have been delivered. This time we've the Camel Squadron. A glorious addition to the shelf, not least for the original illustrations included throughout.