What Would You Recommend As A First Biggles Book?

There comes a time in every Biggles (or Algy) lover’s life, that it falls to them to introduce their nearest and dearest to Biggles. This first impression can make or break a Biggles relationship, and therefore the first book must always be chosen with care.

Here are my top three picks for first Biggles book:

#1: Biggles Defies the Swastika

Cover of Biggles Defies the Swastika.
Image links to Amazon.

Find the Kindle version here: Biggles Defies the Swastika

I’m biased about this book. It was the first Biggles book I read, and it was the one that made and cemented my love for Biggles and Algy. It has some fantastic Algy quotes, great Algy action (he is rescued by Biggles, then he rescues Biggles, then Biggles…sort of rescues him again), and some of that trademark Algy daring, dashing and sarcasm. What more could a would-be Algy fan ask for?

Objectively speaking, the plot has some marvelous twists and turns. Biggles gets to be a Gestapo/double spy, is sent out on a mission to look for “Bigglesworth”, has to avoid Von Stalhein, rescue Algy and Ginger from various situations, and report back to Colonel Raymond at regular intervals. Everything that can go wrong goes wrong at all the worst moments. In short, Swastika is a excitement-packed tale from start to finish, but with plenty of lovely friendship moments, patriotic moments, super good luck moments, and just…Biggles moments.

Unfortunately for Bertie fans…there is no Bertie in this one. If you’re a Bertie fan, you might want to try recommending:

#2: Biggles, Flying Detective (also published as Sergeant Bigglesworth, CID)

Cover of Biggles' Dangerous Missions.
Contains Biggles In Australia
Biggles: Secret Agent
Biggles: Flying Detective
Biggles and the Secret Mission.
Image links to Amazon.

This is the very first Air Police book, right after WWII ends. This is a good choice for a first book as it has all the team present, and, unlike many of the later Air Police books, actually seems original and well-plotted. Flying Detective has some elements of mystery in it (not much, though, since Biggles pretty much figures out who the crooks are by the second chapter. After that, it’s just a matter of chasing them down).

Bertie lovers will no doubt remember the scene where Bertie flies all the way across the desert, gets help, and sweeps in to save Biggles, Algy, and Ginger just as a bunch of Arabs are about to get violent. Other notable scenes include Biggles and Ginger nearly getting shot and getting stuck inside a burning house with a corpse; Ginger’s almost death and long walk to meet Algy and Bertie; and Bertie’s brilliant flying that results in his leg injury (and lots of concern from Biggles!!). By the way, Wilks also puts in an appearance in this book as a high-ranking Group Captain.

#3: Biggles Flies East

Cover of Biggles Flies East
Image links to Amazon

Find the Kindle version here: Biggles Flies East

I’ve had people recommend Flies East to me as the perfect Biggles thriller. This book is, of course, the one where Biggles first meets Von Stalhein, his future archenemy (and unknowingly, his love rival). Set in WWI, there are several great passages detailing the great friendship and trust between Biggles and Algy, most notably when Biggles mistakenly thinks that his gunner has shot Algy down.

I don’t normally chose Flies East as a first Biggles book, even though it is undoubtedly a book chock full of Algy scenes, for the reason that WWI Biggles differs quite a lot from post-WWI Biggles, and also because Flies East can be a little confusing to people who have no prior knowledge of Biggles’ methods and his friends and associates. However, if you do happen to know someone who enjoys war thrillers, then by all means lend them a copy of Flies East.

Other good firsts that have been recommended to me include Biggles Flies North, Biggles Goes to War, and Biggles in the Baltic.