Still Here

A Memoir of Craft, Crisis, and the Courage to Keep BuildingWhat does it take to rebuild a life when the blueprints are torn apart?Still Here is the deeply moving autobiography of Achim Engels-an internationally renowned aviation researcher, museum founder, and master craftsman whose life has been defined by an unyielding refusal to let go of dreams.Beginning with an unusually free and adventurous childhood, the book chronicles a journey born from a singular conviction: that visions are not meant to be admired from afar, but built with one's own hands. At just eighteen, he built his first full-scale replica of the legendary Fokker Dr.I triplane. What started as youthful obsession grew into a lifelong dedication to recreating historic aircraft, reviving forgotten manufacturing techniques, and collaborating on major international projects.Yet, beneath the wings and workshops lies a far more universal story.This is not merely a book about airplanes; it is a profound exploration of the human condition. With raw honesty, the author shares a deeply personal narrative of creativity and perseverance, but also of profound loss, severe illness, friendship, failure, and ultimate renewal. It is a testament to how the discipline of working with physical materials can mirror the emotional labor of piecing a broken life back together.Weaved seamlessly into the text are 154 authentic photographs taken by the author, his family, and close companions over decades. Rather than tucked away in a separate insert, these images live inside the narrative, documenting workshops, loved ones, pivotal moments, and the passage of time right where they unfold.Still Here is an intimate, unfiltered memoir for anyone who has ever faced staggering loss, questioned their path, or had to find the strength to pick up the tools and start over.

Hersteller:	tredition GmbH
Anschrift:	Heinz-Beusen-Stieg 5 DE-22926 Ahrensburg
Kontakt:	operations@tredition.com

Deutsch:Achim Engels, geboren 1972, ist passionierter Handwerker, Luftfahrtforscher, Museumsgründer und Autor. Sein Lebensweg ist geprägt von einer unerschütterlichen Überzeugung: Träume sind nicht dazu da, aus der Ferne bewundert, sondern mit eigenen Händen verwirklicht zu werden. Schon früh begann er, sich intensiv der Rekonstruktion historischer Flugzeuge und der Bewahrung vergessener Handwerkstechniken zu widmen, was zu internationalen Projekten und der Gründung des Museums für Flugzeugbau und technische Geschichte in Wäschenbeuren führte.Neben seiner handwerklichen und wissenschaftlichen Arbeit schlägt sein Herz seit jeher für das Erzählen - sei es in historischen Romanen, erzählenden Biografien oder literarischen Projekten. Mit feinem Gespür für menschliche Tiefe, Resilienz und die Geschichten hinter der Geschichte verbindet er in all seinen Werken historische Fakten mit universellen Erfahrungen. Heute lebt und arbeitet er in Wäschenbeuren.English:Achim Engels, born in 1972, is an author, passionate craftsman, researcher, and museum founder whose life has been defined by a singular commitment: building dreams with one's own hands. His lifelong dedication to historic aircraft reconstruction, the revival of lost manufacturing techniques, and heritage preservation has led to major international collaborations and the establishment of his museum in Wäschenbeuren, Germany.Beyond his technical and historical work, storytelling has always been at the core of his creative expression. Whether writing historical novels, biographical narratives, or non-fiction, he bridges the gap between meticulous research and deep human experiences-exploring themes of resilience, perseverance, and the stories that define us. Today, he lives and works in Wäschenbeuren, continuing to build, research, and write.