[skydriver]

While looking at the F6F Hellcat Paint Scheme thread in this section, I realized that I might have the book that Starman's pictures came from. And after looking in my library which has over 250 books, that I have accumulated over the past 15 years on aviation I realized that those pictures were from Robert Lawson's and Barrett Tilllman's book " Carrier Air War ". It was also in another book I have by Lawson and Tillman titled " World War II U. S. Navy Air Combat". I then did a quick check on amazon and found the same book titled " U.S. Navy Air Combat 1939 - 1946.

Am I right to be a little pissed that these same books feature the same exact pictures and verbage layout with the same exact page numbers. I now realize that I have 2 of the exact same books, and thankfully I did not buy the 3rd book by these authors or I would have THREE of the exact same book.

I mean is this normal practice to publish the exact same book under a different title. I am all for someone getting paid for the work they do, but this seems to be ....I don't want to use the word unethical or low handed... but give me a break.

I apologize for my venting, but I am at a loss for words.

[1250ships]

Yes- that can happen. In some cases the publisher of the first run isn't interested in re-printing and the title is sold to another publisher who will release it under a different name. In other cases there might be a US publisher and a different overseas publisher though in that case they tend to use the same title.

What really sucks is when the version or re-print that you buy is clearly inferior in print quality, especially in the case of a book where photographs are very important.

[Art LeBrun]

You might think how can the title be changed? I guess publishers hold lots of power which I expect for the first printing but because a new publisher
buys a title or is it just the manuscript ? I have several duplicates myself...........

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Art LeBrun

You might think how can the title be changed? I guess publishers hold lots of power which I expect for the first printing but because a new publisher
buys a title or is it just the manuscript ? I have several duplicates myself...........

If the new publisher doesn't change the title how is he going to get you to buy it again?