Readers' Feedback
“A great book and a good read. Enjoyed the photos immensely, well done!” – Charles (M0OXO), 01/01/2022
“I received my copy of "Dream Big and Dare to Fail". It's quite a book. Fantastic book to read. Brings back memories of those IOTA operations. There is much more of the story behind the story with details of Cezar's pursuits through situations IOTA enthusiasts can appreciate. Included are beautiful pictures of each activation. A true masterpiece! […] Worth the price which includes shipping.” – Bob (WB2YQH), 09/01/2022
“What a great job you did my Friend!! A real collectors’ item and I love the color pictures. After reading it, probably twice, I'll put it with my special ham radio treasures which include books back 50 years ago and long out of print but what memories for an old guy like me!!” – Chuck (N6FX), 14/01/2022
“I admire hams like you who have the right spirit, the skillfulness as operators, and the courage to pursue their dreams and activate those extremely hard -to-get-on-IOTAs.” – Frank (DL8FL), 24/01/2022
“Friends do not have countries as their last names. A friend is a friend! Good luck with the book. Thanks for the excitement, the energy, and the fun you have placed into amateur radio.[…] Keep pounding the Brass, Sir. I will treasure your book!” – Jim (WA3HIC), 24/01/2022
“I'm looking forward to reading about your travels. I'm not a big IOTA guy, but I do enjoy your adventures. I remember answering your SOS from up north somewhere :-) And I do remember our meeting at Visalia years ago. Good luck on where ever you're going next.” – Ralph (VE7XF), 24/01/2022
“I ordered Cezar's book on 4th January and was very pleased to receive my copy today. I have read the first couple of chapters and have found that this is a very readable book with excellent photographs. Highly recommended.” – Pete (EI7CC), 25/01/2022
“I received my copy a couple weeks ago and I've already read through it. Great stories and great pictures. Cezar has had quite the adventures! Thanks for a great book.” – Tom (KM4VI), 25/01/2022
“Many thanks for all your dangerous expeditions. I am very thankful, and hope for another new one after pandemic.” – Gus (OE3SGA), 26/01/2022
“Many thanks for your contribution to the IOTA world!!” – Charles (W5VFO), 26/01/2022
“Well done!! You've always been great. Thanks to your examples, I began to participate and organize expeditions to the islands here in Russia. Your perseverance, patience and determination were for me an example and admiration. […] I'm proud to be friends with you!” – Valery (UA0ZC), 26/01/2022
“Just finished reading your book and have come to the conclusion that you are absolutely insane! What fun adventures, but you are very lucky to have survived all of them. Very interesting about Cooper Island (NA-172), maybe still belonging to Canada. […] Thanks for a very enjoyable book.” – Mike (W0VTT), 27/01/2022
“[…] beautiful book in elegant and really de-luxe guise. When I learned that there would be so many (516!) illustrations, I feared that the text to be read was very small, that is, that it was limited only --or not much more-- to the captions of the images. Instead, I’m now glad to see that the text is fortunately very extensive and that there is a lot to read and enjoy the description of the numerous IOTA adventures, and more. So, it will be a real pleasure to sip it.” – Mario (I5BZ), 01/29/2022
“I just received your book! Magnificent! I will relive each expedition! It's amazing what you have done for our passion! It's exciting, congratulations!” – Phil (F6FHO), 01/02/2022
“I am in the middle of reading your book as we speak, just finished the chapter on your CE9 DXpedition. I am thoroughly enjoying this excellent piece of work!!! Your writing is superb, the pictures are incredible and with every page I feel like I’m there with you on the islands. It also brings back memories of making QSOs with you on just about every one of your trips. I haven’t gotten there yet in the book but my most memorable QSO was working you on NA-150. Being one of the 52 NA stations that worked you, and from the east coast no less, was one of most exciting contacts of my ham career, and I am on the top of the DXCC Honor Roll so there have been many! Congrats on this book, truly something special, a reflection of all the good you’ve done for the hobby, for IOTA, for us serious island chasers. I wouldn’t be sitting at IOTA 1100 right now if it weren’t for you and your skill, passion and risk taking.” – Scott (K1OA), 01/02/2022
“Dream Big and Dare to Fail… looks fantastic! The printing quality and picture quality are superb and I cannot wait to become completely engrossed in reading, and experiencing your IOTA adventures…” – Garry (VE3XN), 02/02/2022
“What great reading! I knew that the IOTA community owed you immensely, but now even more!” – Kurt (HB9AFI), 02/02/2022
“Looking forward to the next trip. An IOTA and a DXCC all in one big ice block HI HI 73” [upon ordering the book] – Dick (W4PID), 02/02/2022
“I’m slowly, discontinuously and without haste (I’ve just read up to page 37 only, so far!) reading your book, even if the fascinating and engaging stories would invite to continue reading and reading by quickly moving from a page to the next one. In fact, the descriptions are so detailed and realistic that it seems to be there in person and also with the help of the numerous, beautiful and eloquent illustrations, it seems to be living and taking part to the various situations together with you and the other people involved in the different adventures. Great job, really!” – Mario (I5BZ), 05/02/2022
“I believe you are a leading light.” – Barry (ZS1FJ), 06/02/2022
“Today, I received "Dream Big and Dare to Fail" from M0OXO, Charles. What a nice many pictures in the book. I will read your excellent and difficult IOTA petitions record with a dictionary, hi. Thank you so much.” – Yoshi (JJ8DEN), 07/02/2022
“I received my copy at the end of last week. What a Magnum Opus! I have browsed through it and from what I have seen have found it a very good read, and one that will inspire readers to venture forth themselves. […] I fully endorse the book, that it is inspirational in encouraging fellow amateurs to follow their dreams and that, in short, it is a really good read for those who enjoy the charm of island DXpeditioning.” – Roger (G3KMA), 08/02/2022
“Thank you so much for the book, got it yesterday, beautiful pictures, now I have the spring to read it, exciting...! You did a heck of a job to put all together…!! NICE…!” – Leif (SM5FWW), 11/02/2022
“[…] very informative text, the pace and rhythm is very good for me anyways... I´m a slow reader, taking in all... it´s good Cezar, stay calm stay safe, you did a good job.” – Leif (SM5FWW), 14/02/2022
“I received the book. I love it already!” – Edmondo (VA3ITA), 17/02/2022
“Really nice to browse already through the many stories and start reading. As you mentioned, this is the first dedicated IOTA book and this is exactly what I like 😊. Great achievement.” - Gerben (PG5M), 18/02/2022
“I’m slowly proceeding to read your beautiful book (current page 161, Black Guillemots) and I’m really realizing that all of us Island Hunters, comfortably seated inside our air-conditioned shacks, have no idea of the difficulties encountered, of the necessary sacrifices and the problems faced and --with great spirit of adaptation-- to be solved by whoever goes to activate a rare Entity and/or a remote IOTA Reference, also taking often serious risks.” – Mario (I5BZ), 22/02/2022
“I received you book and I’m impressed. Big Thanks! What can I say: All we need is love to all what we’re doing... I will be happy, if we can do a nice activation somewhere together. Just give me sign :-)” – Emil (DL8JJ), 22/02/2022
“Received your FB book just recently, thank you! Only had time to glance through it so far, but looks like it should be an interesting read. Glad you included lots of photos, as I always like to see what other places look like (as well as contacting them too, of course!).” – Wayne (VE3JV), 22/02/2022
“I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your book and I'm so glad you decided to publish it. I love the IOTA program and your book is now an important part of the program's history. Also, I certainly have appreciated all of your IOTA activations.” – Rob (KD7H), 28/02/2022
“I received the book and it’s wonderful!” – Gheorghe (YO8CLN), 02/03/2022
“Cezar, your book sounds like a big success. I have received my copy, it's ideal reading during my recuperation. It captures the true spirit of IOTA DXing very well, so thank you for a great addition to my library.” – Alan (5B4AHJ), 03/03/2022
“I have really enjoyed your book, a perfect bed time read, so my dreams are filled with those adventures, and to think I have worked you on many of these trips.J” – Steve (VK3KTT), 03/03/2022
“Mate, I just finished your book today. I will admit that I am not one for reading books, and when it first arrived I thought, I will get to it one day, but the night that it arrived I started reading and found it hard to put it down. I enjoyed turning over every page and reading about your adventures, and it brought back the joy for me also and made me think about when I worked you on these Dxpeditions over the years, remembering the times when I had to fight the pileup to get thru and put my call in your log. What fun it’s been chasing you around the planet from island to island. I look forward to you activating more for the chasers around the World […]. Congratulations on the book, and I thank you for your efforts in the IOTA program over the years, as its people like yourself that have kept me in the program and this fantastic hobby of ours all these years.” – Stu (VK8NSB), 12/03/2022
“The book arrived a couple days ago, and I have read maybe just under half so far -- it is everything I expected Cezar - a blast to read... the only bad part has been how many of your early activations I missed. Anyway, your book is really well done Cezar... you must of made very detailed documented information about each trip as you did them... I could not imagine remembering all those details, ha ha. Anyway, it is amazing and fun! Cezar thanks for publishing your book, I like it a lot!” – Rod (WI8A), 12/03/2022
“I don’t know if you remember that a while ago I told you that for me you are not only a very good operator, but also and above all a great Man. Well, now I do confirm this and I also add: very brave, tenacious, one who never gives up even in very critical, dangerous and very demanding situations. So, very please, go back to using, to exploiting these very valid and precious personal characteristics of yours, by starting over --as soon as possible-- with your always exciting IOTA activations.” – Mario (I5BZ), 13/03/2022
“You are welcome to add my call sign as DL5XL/DP1POL. I have been using the DP1POL call sign from Antarctica for the last twenty years now, and I might even take the book there once I have read it. We have a small but very special library at our research station, and most books have been donated by staff members. As we usually have one or two hams as members of our team, they might enjoy it... but first of all, I am looking forward to reading it myself!” – Felix (DL5XL/DP1POL), 24/03/2022
“I have received and finished reading your book, and have a renewed appreciation for the tremendous effort you have put out for the benefit of all of us island chasers. Thank you for sharing your adventures and tribulations.” – Bill (K0DEQ), 25/03/2022
“Received your book today. Very quick mailing and packaged extremely well. I picked it up at the post office and had it at work. Nice quality! I noticed a coworker (non ham woman) picked it up and was reading it. Thought you might like to know it has interest outside the hobby!” – Jim (AA0MZ), 28/03/2022
“Just a brief note to inform you that I received your 'masterpiece' […]. I only had time for a brief glance through the pages, but I'm sincere in saying that the overall quality is impressive!! Every page with gloss-finish, lots of photos and an incredible amount of detail describing events - you must have a very good memory or an enviable habit of keeping notes. More comments to follow... Congratulations and best 73.” – Frank (VE7DP), 29/03/2022
“Your GREAT book arrived yesterday. It's beautiful. The amount of info was extraordinary. You must have kept copious notes! Likewise the photos. I don't think I've ever seen so many photos in any trip report and of such high quality. I doubt there is a page without at least one and up to four or more photos. I'm sure you have great photographic talents and a good camera as well as a big filing system for same. They are beautiful. Also great statistics and charts. Again, you have done a great job. I hope to get through the book soon. It's a masterpiece of IOTA info. Thanks again.” – Joe (W1JR), 30/03/2022
“Just a quick note to let you know that [I received] my copy of 'Dream Big...'. It was in pristine condition […]. I think Hobbs did a superb job with the printing […]. Also, I like the paper quality - good choice! Overall the impression is of a quality publication and I think you can be proud of your book.” – Steve (PJ4DX), 30/03/2022
“[…] yesterday I received your book. I have to say that the quality is splendid. In the next few weeks I will read it and I hope to be able to give you my impressions, but it seems to me to be an excellent piece of work and very well documented. Fantastic. Chapeau!!!” – Ed (EA8EXT), 31/03/2022
“I just finished reading your book "Dream Big and Dare to Fail". Whoever took the picture for your front cover is a real professional for sure! I was really surprised at how many IOTA Islands you have operated on, unbelievable! […] The comments on the back cover say it all! […] hearty congratulations to you and your teams, you have made Ham Radio History. I am sure that the DXpedition groups of yesteryear would be proud of you and your teams.” – Bob (VE6RI), 31/03/2022
“[…] I read the story of VY0O with an adrenaline rush, seeing myself in your position, in limit situations that had to be resolved without delay. Then, after breathing relaxed upon reading various funny segments introduced in the narration, I got tensed again, when the suspense returned! I bow in front of the quality of your story-telling.” – Alex (YO9HP), 01/04/2022
“I have received your book […] and it was indeed a pleasure to read it. The content and detailed reviews of your DX expeditions (especially solo ones) were very exciting and interesting reading. This was especially so as many little things that you have outlined are also known to me and are very similar with some of the experience from my expeditions. That made it even more interesting to do a bit of a cross check and find out that many things and observations (both good and bad) are common for all.” – Vic (R6AF), 09/04/2022
“I have finished your magnificent book and congratulations again on all these magnificent expeditions. It was not always easy, on the contrary. I discovered many islands that I didn't even know [existed] and I was able to increase my IOTA score.” – Daniel (HB9IIO), 10/04/2022
I got your book "Dream Big and Dare to Fail" few days ago. I'm impressed about the quality of everything, tale of adventures, photos and paper. So congratulations for your work, I relived all the emotions I felt when I connected you from those rare places. Grazie Cezar, hope to see you from other rare ones.” – Maurizio (I4MKN), 13/04/2022
“Last night I finished reading your book. A great piece of work and admirably presented.” – Roger (G3KMA), 17/04/2022
“I have recently finished reading your excellent book. I’m not an avid reader but I must say you checked ALL of the boxes for me. An absolutely wonderful book that is a KEEPER! Thank you for sharing!!!!!!” – Tony (W4FOA), 22/04/2022
“Today I have been in my post office and I had your beautiful and fantastic book. Thank you so much, because I worked these islands thanks to you, and all IOTA fans will always be grateful to you.” – Victor (EA3JL), 22/04/2022
“While just about everyone else was busy lamenting their inability to travel to islands and the lack of any islands to work on the air, you were busy using the time to such wonderful advantage by preparing your book. You found a wonderful project which benefited the entire IOTA community - as if a new island had suddenly appeared. Your book put a smile on everyone's face and transported them around the world as if sitting next to you. Your book served to provide a wonderful IOTA respite from the pandemic. Sure, the stories you tell are well written with lots of photos and very gripping and keep the reader turning the pages. However, the genius behind your work is the very fact that you did it and offered it to the IOTA community when they really needed it. Well done!” – Joe (W8JRK), 22/04/2022
“Your beautiful book is now here, great reading and nice pictures! I hope that you can have as many more DXpeditions in the coming years...” – Antoine (3D2AG), 24/04/2022
“You have very interesting stories to tell. They inspire me for more activities. I will give you more feedback later. But you can be sure that I will recommend that book to my friends.” – Bodo (DF8DX), 26/04/2022
“It is fascinating to see the process you have carried out over the years, you really are an example of what a radio amateur can do, if he puts his mind to it.” – Ricardo (XE1SY), 06/05/2022
“I just finished reading your book. What shall I say? It is like a criminal story. You start reading and can't stop. Yesterday evening I decided to go to bed a bit earlier to read some new chapters. Suddenly I saw sunlight in my bedroom. I was reading all night! So much interesting background information on islands I will never see in my live, amazing. Thank you very much for the booklet, now I know what I would have miss had I not gotten it.” – Helmut (HS0ZIV), 16/06/22
“I have finalized reading your book and it was such a pleasure to read about your exceptional travels and operations. Obviously, I’m most interested to look at it from the DXpedition side, what went well and what didn't well – learning from it 😊. Very interesting all those stories covering the hot regions and the very cold regions.” – Gerben (PG5M), 20/06/22
“If you have not already purchased and read Cezar's book, I encourage you to do so before this second publication run expires. I'm not a voracious reader but once I started Cezar's book, I just couldn't put it down. Meticulous in detail, fascinating and educational too, from a Geographic perspective. I have no reason to encourage you to buy except I feel you will come away feeling the same way I did. Congratulations Cezar on a job well done.” – Tony (W4FOA), 02/10/2022
“I highly recommend you absolutely not to miss this providential new run. I’m sure you will thank me.” – Mario (I5BZ), 03/10/2022
“I cannot wait to read it, you are my IOTA DXpedition idol.” – Jean (VE2FDJ), 12/10/2022
“Great book. Great effort.” – Barry (ZS1FJ), 02/11/2022
“The book arrived in excellent condition. Many thanks for the detail to packing. It's a great book with many color photos, and I like the glossy paper. The book is a keeper. I hope more hams buy their own copy.” – Tom (K3TW), 08/12/2022
“Very good presentation and beautiful photos. Will start reading it!” – Luis (CT4NH), 15/12/2022
“Interesting reading, Cezar. Seem to remember that you did do some write-ups for QST and/or TCA in the past, but far more details here You're a braver man than most, that's for sure, the planning must be a formidable task not to mention the execution.” – Mike (VE3VHB), 19/12/2022
“Your book […] has been incredibly interesting reading, where you talk about the problems you have gone through in preparing the expeditions you have been on, and also what problems have arisen along the way. I understand that you are doing a great job to make it as good as possible, even with the challenges that may appear along the way. It must have cost you an incredible amount of resources […]. I hope you want to continue this work for the benefit of us radio amateurs.” – Lars (OZ1HPS), 23/12/2022
“Book Review: “Dream Big and Dare to Fail” By Scott Ginsburg K1OA
Cezar Trifu, VE3LYC has been activating islands in the Islands On The Air (IOTA) program for over 14 years. He’s been to several IOTAs from all over the world, many in inhospitable climates and dangerous locations, with the main purpose of providing a new IOTA for the many island chasers who crave that all time new island (ATNi). Cezar has compiled stories from each of his DXpeditions into a wonderful book that chronicles his travels to each location, with vivid descriptions of each adventure and the sometimes life threatening situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat.” See full review at https://www.w1hh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jan2023BARSNewsletter_Web.pdf – Scott (K1OA), 31/12/2022
“Great photos and stories printed on high quality paper. I was especially interested in your operations from VY0 and northern Canada first and saw many of my own experiences in your text. […] You have a diplomatic way expressing what the situation was there, and reading between the lines made me think of those days.” – Peter (VA3DXA), 31/12/2022
“Finally, I was remiss in not writing earlier to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. You carry the reader along from one page to the next and from one adventure to the next.” – Dave (K1HT), 15/05/2023
“I finished the book last night. I tried to time it for one expedition per night. I’m amazed that you pulled this off. It was vary inspirational for my small POTA trips where something occasionally goes awry. […] Thanks again for a great book.” – Lou (NO2C), 05/06/2023
“I have read your book [...], it was very interesting reading. Anyone trying to work the operators who go out on these sometimes difficult operations should read your book, they will surely get a better understanding of the difficulties you as operators are exposed to. I could understand that at times it was next to life-threatening to come forward and operate from a certain island. Either because of the wild animals or the whims of nature. Just getting the equipment out could be nearly impossible. I want to thank you for all your great work for the radio amateurs. Be it DX hunters, IOTA hunters, and everyone else who needs a contact with you regardless of where in the world you are.” – Lars (OH1HPS), 12/05/2023