Ripping Yarns (original) (raw)

While looking for information about Thomas Burtis, who wrote four instalments in the Air Combat Stories for Boys series (Daredevils of the Air, Four Aces, Wing for Wing, and Flying Blackbirds), I came across this rather useful website. It provides lists of series fiction for boys and girls as well as links to texts available online. In addition, Violet Books' Fantastic Flight dustwrapper page includes a brief entry on Burtis and a fabulous selection of covers from various early writers of aviation fiction. The Great War in the Air Bibliography Project includes a title by Burtis, but in spite of his being 'one of the leading authors of flight-adventure novels', he's proving elusive and I haven't found anything like a complete list of stories. Yet.

And on an entirely irrelevant note, I like this blurb for the X Bar X Boys series of westerns by 'James Cody Ferris':

Thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces.

The Manly Boys, Roy and Teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. The lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances.

The cowboys of the X Bar X Ranch are real cowboys, on the job when required but full of fun and daring -- a bunch any reader will be delighted to know.

Two manly boys for the price of one. That's what I call a bargain. And oh, look! A Wikipedia entry! The X Bar X Boys With The Secret Rangers? 0_0