Todays airline pilots probably wouldn't have a clue of the books by Ernest Gann. More's the pity because those were the days of real airmen rather than the flight deck automation managers of today...
I used to recommend a copy of Fate Is The Hunter to every pilot I trained - many friends have Ernie Gann on their shelves. I've recently bought a first edition Flying Circus and have read some of his seaborne adventures in the past.
Anyone remember an article in the American 'Flying' magazine some years ago about him (published shortly after his death I believe). Included pictures of his study in an old chicken shed behind his home if I recall. Would like to get hold of that again.