Purchased this book at a marvelous used book store in Northampton, Massachusetts, so it has had a life even before coming to me. Trying to remember which other Nevil Shute book I have read. Never read "On the Beach" though it was a favorite of some of the English teachers in my high school. The other one was also about aviation: I really enjoy reading about those early years of flying, the gold standard being A. de St. Expert.