More than 70 people gathered to celebrate the launch of Australian Aviation contributor Owen Zupp’s newest title, Without Precedent.
The book details the life of his father, Phillip Zupp. Phillip not only served as a Commando in World War 2 and post-war Hiroshima, but subsequently trained as a fighter pilot and flew 201 combat sorties during the Korean War with the RAAF.
Invited guests at the July 27 official launch, held at The Bradman Museum in Bowral, were entertained by a continuous slideshow of previously unseen wartime images, set to music from the 1940s and 1950s.
Cabinets held artefacts from Phillip’s military service, ranging from uniform coats and medals to log books and leather flight helmets. The damaged goggles actually worn by Phillip when his aircraft was struck by ground fire were of particular interest. Zupp also made a presentation detailing “the story behind the story” which had the audience captivated.
To date, the biography has already been sold extensively in both digital and print formats and in several countries beyond Australia.
Zupp said he believed the success of the book was partially due to the fact that, “aside from the remarkable life that is portrayed, there is the underlying narrative of a disadvantaged country boy who achieved his dream with little more than courage and tenacity”.
He went onto add that: “The fact that Phillip was the first Australian to win the American Purple Heart has also garnered a great deal of interest.”
“Without Precedent” is available online in all formats and at selected bookstores. http://amzn.to/28ZVn6u
Photographer Robert Brus captured some scenes from the book’s official launch:
T.G. Dennis
says:One of the best books I have ever read about a so called ‘ average +’ pilot. This bloke was way above that and lived to die in bed. My impression of a well above average pilot.