Four Winds

by David Beaty

Alan Douglas threw down his pen with an impatient exclamation. It was high time his next Sunday's sermon was written, but he could not concentrate his thoughts on his chosen text. For one thing he did not like it and had selected it only because Elder Trewin, in his call of the evening before, had hinted that it was time for a good stiff doctrinal discourse, such as his predecessor in Rexton, the Rev. Jabez Strong, had delighted in. Alan hated doctrines-"the soul's staylaces," he called them-but Elder Trewin was a man to be reckoned with and Alan preached an occasional sermon to please him.

54 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

David Beaty is a British author of fictional and non-fictional works. He got a Master degree in history (1940) at Merton College, Oxford, and a Master degree in psychology (1965) at University College, London. He was trained pilot in the Royal Air Force during the 2nd World War. His works focus on aviation, especially on psychological aspects of aircraft pilots.

Beaty was born in 1919 in Ceylon, married in 1948 to Betty Smith, a writer herself (see Betty Beaty), and is father of three daughters. He died in 1999.

Sources:
- Europa Publications (Editor), International Who's Who of Authors and Writers 2004, Psychology Press, 2003
- Ken Beere, Obituary: David Beaty , Independent, 22.12.1999

Reviews

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was admittedly just a little bit all over the place, from scholarly information about planes and the airplane system during this time period, to illicit romance between married men and beautiful woman they interacted with along their route, to insane action every other "book" that kept me on the edge of my seat. Getting into the book originally was kind of difficult because it was a lot of piloting jargon off the bat that I didn't understand, but by book two it really picked up speed and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. It was pretty well-written with some writing pieces that were typical of the 1950s when it was written that you have to look past because it IS a dated piece, but the plot was exciting and the romance felt timeless. 

The ending though - HOO boy the ending. I don't want to say it was bad because it was well-written and interesting, but it was also the biggest left-turn of every left-turn in this entire book which says a LOT. It was extremely unexpected and shocking, and while it technically stuck with the writing plot-wise from the rest of the story, it was just such a sharp left turn that it left a bad taste in my mouth. Do what you want with that information. 

I don't think I'd read it again because the entire book was an experience from start to finish and reading it a second time after learning all of the twists and turns that it takes would not be the same at all though I'm sure I'd notice things a second time that I didn't through the first pass. Overall, a 3.5/5 for me solely because of the terms I didn't understand, the start was kind of slow and difficult to get past, and it's not really something I would choose to read for myself outside of this circumstance but it really is a good book. This rating is just from my personal perspective, not about the actual writing in the book.

[Marni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an older book - I think published in the mid-80's? The topic is early trans-Atlantic flights in 40-50 seater prop planes and a little love story. The detailed description of the flying is thanks to the author's experience.