Monday, 27 April 2026

A Touching Comment


The book….


….and the dedication.

Several posts ago I wrote about my recent acquisition of what was very much a ‘grail’ book for me. North of Gallipoli by the late George Nekrasov (Cmdr, RAN Retd) has the distinction of being probably the only easily available account of the operations of the Russian Black Sea fleet during WW1. The copy I acquired was from an estate sale in Australia and was not signed by the author but was also dedicated to another sadly departed naval historian - Gary Staff, an author of whom I have a couple of titles in my own collection. the book was embossed with the stamp “Library of Gary Staff”.


One of the titles in my collection by Gary Staff. It is a cracking read with plenty of ideas for scenarios

As previously mentioned I was delighted to have acquired North of Gallipoli - and at a very reasonable price - and was even more pleased to receive the following comment to my previous post.

Hi David. I'm very happy to hear that this copy of Dad's book is in good hands and appreciated. Gary Staff was a close friend to him. All the best.

Alex Nekrasov.”

Call me a sentimental old fool, but I was touched by that post and am now even more determined to do something that would honour both the memory of George Nekrasov and of Gary Staff. 

Now, where did I put my copy of the Navwar catalogue?….

14 comments:

Jim said...

Good find...have to track down a copy myself!

Archduke Piccolo said...

It is always nice to see treasured items go to a good home.

Paul O'G said...

How wonderful! Not only did George share my vocation but he was from, and is buried in my hometown

Donnie McGibbon said...

How nice to get a message from his son, lovely touch.

David Crook said...

Hi Jim,

Good luck with that - and be prepared for a long wait unless you have deep pockets! Seriously though, it is a great book and given the paucity of information available in English it is well worth having.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Ion,

Funny thing is I am never usually a fan of signed and dedicated books but in this case it is a worthwhile exception. Having Alex contact me was a lovely touch and makes me determined to honour in some way his father’s work and that of his good friend.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

G’Day Paul,

It was a lovely touch for sure and funnily enough as soon as I heard about the vocational connection I did mean to contact you. To be honest, it was not until I got a copy of the book that I realised he was Australian! From and buried in your hometown? Small world eh?

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Donnie,

It certainly was and it certainly is! I can’t explain why but it feels as though the universe wanted me to have this.

All the best,

DC

WEK 3 said...

As a book collector that is a very worthy find. Nice to get a nod that your understanding of the uniqueness of it's value is recognized.

Rob Young said...

The personal touch is always nice - seems like a good experience all round.

David Crook said...

Hi there WEK 3,

What are the odds of buying a signed copy of a book dedicated by the author to another author and then getting a very nice comment from the first authors son? Pretty slim I should say! It makes for a wonderful story though, and I feel morally obligated to honour both their memories in some way. Methinks I have a plan for this…..

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Rob,

Absolutely! The ironic thing is that I am not usually a fan of inscribed and dedicated books but in this case the uniqueness has struck a chord with me. Along with my signed copy of the Battleline edition of Flat Top - signed by the designer, S. Craig Taylor Jnr - these two will never be leaving my collection, at least while I am still here anyway!

All the best,

DC

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Sounds a great book!

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

PS: Yes - get a game on teh table!