Roald Dahl is one of the best storytellers of our time; like a great grandmaster, he leads his aesthetically impeccable games from a seemingly serene opening to a deadly paradoxical finale. We bring to your attention the debut collection of an unsurpassed master of the short form - a collection of stories based mainly on his aviation and military experience, but personal feelings are melted here, with Dalev’s signature grace, into crystal clear, filigree-crafted prose. You will get acquainted with the habits of a poisonous black mamba and breathe the air of a Cairo brothel, rescue a Greek girl from the rubble and feel the thrill of flight... The translation is published in a new edition. (Back cover) Great magician. Spectator This book stirred the deepest feelings that possessed me during during the war and which I was very afraid of losing. Noël Coward This debut collection is the best proof of the fact that the trajectory of a writer is impossible to predict. The Observer These stories are about pilots. Therefore, they are probably especially poignant and exciting. Where, if not in the sky, can you realize the fragility of your life? Livelib.ru One of the most popular and influential writers of our generation. The Times