Book Description
During the course of his military career, Bud Day won every available combat medal, escaped death on no less than seven occasions, and spent 67 months as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, along with John McCain. Despite sustained torture, Day would not break. He became a hero to POWs everywhere--a man who fought without pause, not a prisoner of war, but a prisoner at war.Upon his return, passed over for promotion to Brigadier General, Day retired. But years later, with his children grown and a lifetime of service to his country behind him, he would engage in another battle, this one against an opponent he never had expected: his own country. On his side would be the hundreds of thousands of veterans who had fought for America only to be betrayed. And what would happen next would make Bud Day an even greater legend.
Customer Reviews:
Heroes, not losers.......2007-10-01
This will help you remember how this country was founded by heroes, not losers. The beginning was a little slow, but the time in Hanoi was just riveting, and I had to stop to cry more than once. It should be required reading for liberals, so that they can remember how the peace movement is seen by enemy nations.
American Patriot Stands Tall.......2007-08-13
As a former Misty FAC I thought I knew Bud Day, but after reading American Patriot I realized I was dead wrong. Robert Coram's book profiles a man with a seemingly inexhaustible reservoir of courage and an unimpeachable sense of honor---all of which he gladly placed at the disposal of his country throughout his life. The book is carefully detailed and written in a manner that even the "great unwashed" who were not fighter pilots can understand. The descriptive scenes involving his torture as a POW are painful to read at times, yet I know that they were not exaggerated---and that's what makes them all the more disturbing.
The words "honor", "integrity" and "heroes" have been trivialized in our society to the extent that few people know or care what they mean any more. In an ideal world these subjects would be addressed in school, or at least discussed at home. But we do not live in a perfect world, therefore, I suggest that American Hero be required reading in every high school and college in America. A profound and moving book.
Viet Nam veteran and book lover.......2007-07-24
This book belongs in a catagory by itself. It confirms what I aready suspected about the main stream media. It introduced me to a new Americian hero. God Bless Colonel Bud Day, his wife, and God Bless America
American Patriot.......2007-07-17
Superb...this book should be required reading for all those in high schools and Military Academies. The book really details the character of this wonderful American and shows how a man ... with God's help...can endure and prevail under the most trying of circumstances.
Thank You Mr. Coram.......2007-07-07
This book should be required reading for all Americans. A copy is ready for my 3 year old son to read when he's able to.
Why didn't I know about Bud Day before this book? The man is a hero and legend and yet I've never seen a glowing profile of this man in our mainstream media. Children in this country should learn about Bud Day and men like him as part of their curriculum.
I hope Mr. Coram is inspiring writers to follow in his footsteps. I also hope Mr. Coram has some books left in his clip. "Boyd" is a tremendous book in its own right and this book just has me wanting to read more about the people who have done far more for their country than ever imagined.
While some may point to the fact that Mr. Coram does not get into macro-political issues that overshadowed Col Day's life I think most readers understand that is not the point of this book. This book is about educating all of us about what a hero looks like, talks like and acts like.
This book will grab you and demand your attention. Thank you Colonel Day. You are an inspiration Sir.
Book Description
It is not often that a remarkable gem of a manuscript is uncovered and published. Geoffrey Wellum's First Light was one example. The memoir of Timothy Ashmead Vigors is another. Born in Hatfield but raised in Eire and educated at Eton and Cranwell, early 1940 found Tim Vigors in France flying Fairey Battle bombers. After the Fall he converted to fighters joining 222 Squadron with whom he saw frantic and distinguished service over Dunkirk and then during the dangerous days of The Battle of Britain, when he became an ace. Transferred to the Far East in January 1941 as a flight commander with 243, thence to 453 Squadron RAAF, on 10th December he led a flight of Buffaloes to cover the sinking Prince of Wales and Repulse. Dramatically shot down, burnt and attacked on his parachute, he was evacuated to Java, and from there to India. And this is where his hand-written account ends. Throughout, the author describes his experiences in an honest, refreshing way. It is a fascinating and valuable record, one destined to be seen as a classic. Postwar, Tim was no less active primarily in the horse world, in Ireland and England, selling, breeding and consulting; but also in aviation, with his own company Vigors Aviation.
Customer Reviews:
Life's Too Short to Cry - Tim Vigors.......2007-06-07
With memories of Geoffrey Wellum's recent book 'First Light', I was excited to find that a new Second World War RAF pilot's autobiography had been published so recently as 2006. I found the facts of the book most interesting, but it lacks tension and literary style, and I never found myself wanting to read on and on, as with Wellum and many other authors. As a keen student of the great Douglas Bader, I was fascinated by Vigors' references to their flying together, at a time when Bader was developing his ideas on tactics and leadership. To be fair, Tim's death came before his book could be properly edited, and it is well worth reading for the history surrounding the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse, and the Royal Navy's lack of understanding of air power, despite the lessons learned in Europe.
A Delightful Story with Unique Insights.......2007-03-01
This memoir of a fighter pilot in World War II left me with several thoughts.
First was the thought that no matter how good you were, fate or luck or whatever had a lot to do with your survival. One time with almost no warning the Germans were bombing their air field. They were emergency scrambling to get airborne. Some of the Spitfires were hit by German bombs. They paid no attention as to how good a pilot you were. In another instance Vigors was scheduled to fly somewhere on a transport aircraft. He got bumped off the flight by a general. The plane was shot down, no survivors.
Second there's an interesting insight to the loss of the 'Prince of Wales' and 'Repulse.' Vigors was the commander of the squadron that was to provide them with continuous dawn to dusk air cover. Admiral Phillips took his two ships to sea without telling the Air Force. You have to presume that he was one of the Battleship Admirals who refused to believe that his majestic, powerful ship could be hurt by those pesky little aircraft. He went down with his ship.
Finally I find myself wondering about his love life. In England he was in love with the beautiful Jil. In Singapore there is a comment that he married Jan. The manuscript for the book was found after his death and submitted for publication by his widow Diana. Way to go flyboy.
Book Description
This biography completes a trilogy on the three Navy fighter pilots-Jimmie Thach, Butch O'Hare, and Jimmy Flatley-who developed sweeping changes in aerial combat tactics during World War II. While O'Hare and Flatley were instrumental in making the "weave" a success, Thach was its theoretical innovator, and his use of the tactic in combat at Midway documented its practical application. This portrait of the famous pilot provides a memorable account of how Thach, convinced that his Wildcat was no match for Japan's formidable Zero, found a way to give his squadron a fighting chance. Using matchsticks on his kitchen table, he devised a solution that came to be called the Thach Weave. But as Steve Ewing is quick to point out, this was not Thach's sole contribution to the Navy. Throughout his forty-year career, Thach provided answers to multiple challenges facing the Navy, and his ideas were implemented service wide.
A highly decorated ace, Thach was an early test pilot, a creative task force operations officer in the last year of World War II, and an outstanding carrier commander in the Korean War. During the Cold War, he contributed to advances in antisubmarine warfare. This biography shows him to be a charismatic leader interested in everyone around him, regardless of rank or status. His dry sense of humor and constant smile attracted people from all walks of life, and he was a popular figure in Hollywood. Thach remains a hero among naval aviators, his most famous combat tactic still used by today's pilots. 384 pages. 30 photographs. 5 line drawings. Hardcover. 6 x 9 inches.
Customer Reviews:
How the thin blue line was held in 1942.......2006-11-02
Pacifists and cheeseparers in the 1920s and '30s left Hawaii without adequate defenses when the Japanese attacked in 1941.
As the aircraft carrier Saratoga rushed from California to still smoking Pearl Harbor, the planes of Fighting Squadron 3 had only 24 rounds per gun for their Wildcat fighters -- not even enough to "charge" the guns in preparation for combat.
Within a year, 12 of the 19 pilots in VF 3 were dead, killed partly by Japanese aggressors, partly by American politicians and moralizers.
That more young Americans' lives were not lost in the early days was due in large part to three remarkable Navy aviators, Butch O'Hare, Jimmy Flatley and the commander of VF 3 in December 1941, Jimmie Thach.
Of the three, all subjects of biographies by Steve Ewing, curator at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, Thach may have been the most remarkable.
O'Hare was the matchless marksman in battle, and Flatley was a superior teacher and lobbyist for new tactics. Thach was the originator of those tactics, a man who figured out how to substitute technique for technology.
His solution, worked out over a kitchen table with matchsticks, was put to the test at the Battle of Midway, and with it a few Wildcats were able to hold off four times as many Japanese Zeros, though they were unable to fulfill their mission of protecting American attack planes.
The maneuver, the "Thach Weave," was a lifesaver in the next year of ceaseless combat in the South Pacific, until newer, better planes were delivered.
The weave was not wholly original with Thach; but his version was superior to the technique adopted shortly before by British pilots fighting the Luftwaffe.
As a staff officer, Thach distinguished himself in the western Pacific, becoming part of still debated controversies about how the war was fought. Ewing dives into this fight with relish, as he has before.
In a long career, Thach rose to the highest position in naval aviation, but possibly even more important, he was the leading tactician as the Navy struggled to adapt antisubmarine warfare to the challenges of fast, nuclear opponents.
During years at Pearl Harbor in the 1960s, his antisub planes and ships tracked Russian opponents as if war might break out any second. He, at least, never forgot the surprise at Pearl Harbor.
But the lessons Thach learned in a long, arduous career have too often been forgotten; and still are. Recalling the early days of the war in the Pacific, he wrote, "Early in the last war it was brought home to me that it is the untrained who are needlessly lost in combat, and who contribute little or nothing to the cause in which they are lost. I would rather have 12 properly trained aviators with me to fight 20 planes of an enemy than to have twice or three times that number of half trained or poorly trained pilots."
Biography falls short of expectations, but still essential.......2006-05-19
Since I was a child, John Thach was my hero. He is only sparsely mentioned in survey history books on World War II. Finding articles about him, or detailed accounts on his history, was always challenging. At age 8, I actually tried calling his house in Coronado, California (he wasn't home).
As I grew older and read more in-depth histories on Midway and other battles, I learned much more of the significant role Thach played - what a master tactician - but there was no biography on him or any information on his early life or life after World War II.
Finally, there is a biography - sort of. While finally getting detail on the full life and history of this Hero, in every sense of the word, is great, there is a lot missing.
This book, along with Reaper Leader (on Jimmy Flatley) and Fateful Rondezvous (on Butch O'Hare) completes a trilogy on the great Navy fighter pilots in early World War II. Ewing's prime interest is clearly with Flatley, but the three men were good friends and worked closely together so that the research lent itself to creating biographies on each man.
To Ewing's credit, he did help discover a treasure trove of Thach's personal papers, adding a wealth of information to the key role that Thach played in saving Naval Aviation (revolt of the Admirals in response to the USAF takeover of military aviation) and in advancing anti-submarine warfare to counter the serious nuclear threat of soviet submarines. In fact, those who know of Thach from his fighter pilot fame, will be surprised to find how much more he did for naval aviation and the US security AFTER the second world war.
The author traces Thach from his childhood in Arkansas, the son of professional teachers, to his time at the Naval Academy, and solves the mystery of why John Thach was called "Jimmie Thach" when his older brother, who also attended the Naval Academy was named James Thach. Ewing describes his early service and wartime career in detail, and then goes on to describe the 20 plus years of service to the Navy after World War II.
Unfortunately, the book seems stale, almost like a high school report summarizing an entry from an encyclopedia. Stories that should be vivid and memorable, seem remote and cold - like when as a young pilot, Thach exited the cockpit in flight because he didn't have time to go to the bathroom before leaving the field. After reading numerous exploits of young pilots from both world wars, and the fraternity type antics, a reader expects the story to be told as if an old joke or `war story' from somebody who lived it - not as a dry legal brief.
While some of this might be from the author's style, it is more likely due to the challenge of describing an anecdote heard third or fourth person. Both Thach and his wife died in the early 80's, and they were only infrequently interviewed prior to their death. Few of their contemporaries are still around to impart the true and full color of the events.
Therein lies the tragedy of this history and many more - as the "greatest generation" passes, we are loosing a wealth of history told by the people who lived it. This is a tragedy, but there is no government program or agency to `fix' the problem (nore should there be) - it is life.
Still, the book is very worthwhile and thoroughly readable even if somewhat disappointing in the attenuation of the stories that you expect to bring the history to life. History buffs and fans of naval aviation will enjoy the book, or regret not getting it once printing ceases. Ewing justly deserves credit for this book which gives a wealth of otherwise unavailable information on a great American that gave 100% effort and his entire adult life to the security of America.
By the way, as a cordial response to a comment by a fellow reviewer about the Wildcat being "vastly inferior" - inferior, yes, but not vastly so.
It still remained in front-line service well into 1943, equited itself well when in sufficient number with the right tactics (i.e. Thach Weave), Joe Foss thought very highly of it, had a career kill to loss ratio of 7 to 1, and was one of the few pre-war fighters at the beginning of the war still in combat service at the end (the Hurricane and the P-40 were long gone). Give me a break, it wasn't like the Brewster Buffalo, Chance Vought Vindicator, Boulton Paul Defiant, Fairey Swordfish, Douglas Devastator, most of the French and Russian planes, or Bell Aircobra - now those were "vastly" outdated and inferior machines that should never had been put in combat!
Surviving in Inferior Aircraft.......2004-11-02
At the beginning of World War II, the allies were in very poor condition to face the Germans or Japanese. Due to years of neglect, the American fighting forces, generally speaking, had vastly inferior equipment, and in many cases even worse tactics.
Against the Japanese Zero fighter, the Americans fielded the vastly inferior Grumman F4F Wildcat. The Wildcat suffered in three vital areas to the Zero: climb, maneuverability and speed. The Wildcat did have advantages in firepower, due to the excellent .50 caliber Brownings, and in overall toughness. Jimmy Thach was able to come up with a flying mode to take advantage of those points in favor of the Wildcat while minimizing its disadvantages. This was called the Thach Weave after the inventor and the way he conceives of having two planes each fly a serpentine path that brought the planes together facing each other at frequent intervals. Thus any Japanese pilot falling in behind one of the planes would soon be facing the nose, and the machine guns of his partner. This enabled the American pilots to survive in the years it took to get more capable aircraft into service. The Thach Weave continues today, with todays far more capable aircraft but with the same basic principles and the same name.
Mr. Thach survived the war and went on to ever higher positions within the Navy. This book uses just about half of its 338 pages on The World War II era, and the rest on his work at improving the Navy's aircraft afterward.
Awesome.......2004-09-11
To start with I will admit that I am only half way through this book but wanted to rate what I have read so far and I can say that what I have read is very interesting. For those who are interested in Naval history and its heroes in particular will enjoy this book. Its nice to be able to learn more about Jimmie Thach because there aren't may books on the guy and he has a fascinating life that needs to be told. I would also highly recommend Steve Ewing's book on Butch O'Hare titled "Fateful Rendezvous". I do know that I will soon be ordering the third book in this trilogy on the Reaper leader Jimmie Flatley.
Average customer rating:
- A true look at a childhood hero
- A truly epic study of a tragic hero
- Boyington...a tactician way ahead of his time..
- This may be the only biography I have ever finished.
- Before, during and after the fall.
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Black Sheep One: The Life of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington
Bruce Gamble
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0891418016
Release Date: 2003-03-04 |
Book Description
Black Sheep One is the first biography of legendary warrior and World War II hero Gregory Boyington. In 1936, Boyington became an aviation cadet and earned the “wings of gold” of a naval aviator. After only a short period on active duty, however, he was “encouraged” to resign from the Marine Corps due to his unconventional behavior. Remarkably, this inauspicious beginning was just the prologue to a heroic career as an American fighter pilot and innovative combat leader. With the onset of World War II, when skilled pilots were in demand, he became the commander of an ad hoc squadron of flying leathernecks. Led by Medal of Honor winner Boyington, the legendary Black Sheep set a blistering pace of aerial victories against the enemy.
Though many have observed that when the shooting stops, combat heroes typically just fade away, nothing could be further from the truth for Boyington. Blessed with inveterate luck, the stubbornly independent Boyington lived a life that went beyond what even the most imaginative might expect. Exhaustively researched and richly detailed, here is the complete story of this American original.
Customer Reviews:
A true look at a childhood hero.......2005-08-16
First off let me say that I really enjoyed reading this book. Pappy has always been a child hood hero of mine. Having grown up watching "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and reading the autobiography of the same title. It was a very well researched and well-written biography. That opened this reader's eyes to the real story behind LtCol Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
A truly epic study of a tragic hero.......2003-01-06
Bruce Gamble deserves great credit for dealing with a mythic and controversial hero who laid claim to be the leading USMC ace in World War II and won the highest award in the country. His introduction to combat and first claims came from his stint as a member of the famed American Volunteer Group (AVG) known to most as the "Flying Tigers". He was summarily dismissed from the AVG for his abuse of alcohol and disrepect for authority (both of had which led him to abandon his USMC flying career to join the AVG along with chronic financial woes). World War II offered him an opportunity for another chance to fly and serve his country that he might not have gotten in peacetime. Arriving in the Solomon Islands, he continued to abuse alcohol and raise a ruckus, but he eventually got his own squadron, the "Black Sheep" which he led to great success against the Japanese. There is no doubt that he was a gifted aviator despite flying under the influence or at least hung over. Some of the aerial victory claims may be disputed (certainly his AVG claims are), but these type claims have been controversial by antagonists in all conflicts since aerial combat began. Gamble deals with all of this in great detail particularly the virtual clinical examination of Boyington's alcoholism so many years after the event. Gamble's research could have yielded a good book, among the best written, on the Black Sheep and Boyington, but he superbly wrote the Black Sheep story as its own subject and then dealt with Boyington as a biography andproduced a truly unique study of a tragic hero, flawed on several levels, but just as laudable on others. The author deserves great credit for deep research, sensitive and accurate writing and weaving a very readable treatment of Boyington, truly the best on any shelf.
Boyington...a tactician way ahead of his time.........2002-05-16
Being a military history buff and a Boyington fan, this book was a "must read" for me. This book shows the human side of Boyington. While Boyington may have seemed a larger-than-life war hero (which in many ways he was) he was an ordinary man with his own demons. His worst enemy was himself.. and his addiction to alcohol...an addiction he never totally defeated. One wonders what Boyington may have accomplished had he not have been an alcoholic. His alcohalism cost him a lot.. several divorces, alienation from his family, and quite possibly a polital career.
Boyington was way ahead of his time in the area of air combat tactics. Sometimes his propensity to deviate from regulation got him into trouble with superiors, but no one can deny the combat victories the Blacksheep attained under his leadership. No Marine Squadron has ever attained the success VMF 214 had in those two combat tours then or since. His military combat record speaks for itself. Boyington's tactics were unconventional, in the sense he never employed the same tactics for long. He was constantly evolving, a theory that never allowed the Japanese to catch on to his tactics.
This is an excellent book to learn about Boyington the man, how he thought, and what made him tick. In spite of his faults, he will forever be remembered as the greatest Marine Ace of all time. This book does him justice. I highly recommend it.
This may be the only biography I have ever finished........2002-04-20
I hate biographies with their authoritarian tones, time lines, dates and obscure facts, and get bored before finishing them. I do, however, prefer to be historically accurate rather than politically correct, so when my children started watching Black Sheep Squadron on the History Channel, I figured I had better learn more about Greg Boyington.
Having seen Mr. Gamble's commentaries during breaks from the show, I expected the typical pompous biography with a military cadence to match the author and subject. When I began to read it, I was floored: I couldn't put it down and I finished it. Mr. Gamble's prose was lyrical, and his treatment of Boyington was fair and meticulously researched.
Heroes aren't necessarily bums, and biographies aren't necessarily dull, boring and omnipresent.
Before, during and after the fall........2001-09-11
Gamble's biography of Boyington begins with his dysfunctional upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. Raised by a troubled mother and a ...stepfather, the deck was stacked early against this man of great potential. This good time Charlie, devil-may-care college boy became one of the leading Aces of WWII, with twenty-nine kills, if he is to be believed. And Gamble apparently does not believe all that Boyington has to say on this subject. Never drinking until his twenties, Boyington became the cliched drunk. Often he flew loaded or badly hung over.
In this frank look at the life of the Black Sheep Squadronýs leader, Gamble strips away much of the lies, myths and Hollywood trappings to present the man as he was; the tragic hero.
From his brief time spent with Claire Chennaultýs Flying Tigers to his rejoining the Maine Aviators to his being awarded the Medal of Honor, the bottle was never far from armýs reach. After spending almost two years as a POW and upon his triumphant return to the states at warýs end, he is told by his intelligence officer, Frank Walton, he could be anything he chose but he had to leave booze alone or it would kill him. Needless to say, his life spiraled out of control until it was much too late. From a series of failed relationships and marriages, to repeated job changes and financial ruin he became a mere curiosity hustling his former valor for a few dollars. In Waltonýs own book, "Once They Were Eagles", he compares him unkindly to a dancing circus bear pushing his autographs at air shows and conventions.
Throughout the book there are more than a few glimmers of the man beneath the booze and the greatness that awaited Boyington were it not for his illness. A college wrestling champion, a fine college student, a natural leader and above all, a bold and fearless fighter pilot. If Gamble destroys some myths, he also lets Boyingtonýs greatness stand without the tinsel. And in 1943 he was a giant.
Book Description
If ever a man has earned his place in the annals of military history, that man is Francis "Gabby" Gabreski. His exploits as a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea are legendary; his rise from humble beginnings to success in military and business careers is inspiring. This is the full story of Gabby Gabreski, told in his own words. Gabreski's life is a classic American success story. Born to Polish immigrant parents in 1919, he nearly washed out of Notre Dame and then flight school. He was down to his last chance, and he made the most of it. A witness to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Gabby had his own first taste of air combat flying with a Polish RAF squadron. Shortly thereafter he joined the 56th Fighter Group of the U.S. 8th Air Force, and in seventeen months he shot down twenty-eight German planes, the highest total of any 8th Air Force pilot in Europe. He became a hero whose name was splashed across newspaper headlines from coast to coast. And then, on the very day he was to fly home to his fiancee and a hero's welcome, he took one last combat mission, crashed and, after a daring attempt to avoid capture, finished the war in a POW camp. Gabreski returned to combat in 1951, flying F-86 Sabrejets over Korea. He scored 6.5 more victories there, making him one of the few pilots ever to achieve ace status in two wars and in both propeller and jet aircraft. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1967 and spent the next twenty years working in the aviation industry, sustained, as always, by his devout religious faith and his deep love for his family. Now, drawing on his private documents and photographs, Gabby, along with writer Carl Molesworth, tells his thrilling eyewitness story with a candor and a vivid style that should earn this brave pilot a whole new generation of admirers., over 200 b/w photographs, 8 color aircraft profiles, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
EX`CELLENT!.......2007-03-08
I BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MY HUSBAND AND HE QUICKLY DEVOURED IT AND IMMEDIATELY SHARED IT WITH A FRIEND. THE BEST RECOMMENDATION POSSIBLE.
For many years Gabby was America's living "Ace-of-Aces".......2006-05-02
I read an abridged paperback version of this book many years ago and found it to be both stirring and informative. I particularly enjoyed reading about the more human side of being a fighter pilot. Gabreski, for example, became so excited in his first aerial combat that he didn't even see the German fighter that was in his gun sights even when his flight leader told him to shoot it down. He only saw it much later when they reviewed his gun camera footage. How human can you get?
The smaller paperback excerpted the combat sequences from this autobiography and condensed them into a much smaller more action packed book obviously intended for a broader audience. After reading it, I was anxious to read the whole story; the larger, more comprehensive story of Gabby Gabreski's life. And this book did not disappoint. It tells the story of Gabreski's life from the time of his birth in Oil City, Pennsylvania, through his many actions in both World War II and in Korea, on through the post war years until his final retirement from Grumman Aircraft in 1987.
America has a tendency to forget its heroes all too soon and sadly, except in certain circles, Gabby Gabreski is all but forgotten today. But with 28 aerial victories in World War II, making him America's living "ace-of-aces" for most of his life, and having added another 6 ? MiGs flying jets in Korea, he shouldn't be forgotten. So, if you want to read a good book about a great American and true hero, this is a good place to start.
Gabby Gabreski.......2006-03-25
Un très bon bouquin, très facile d'accès même pour les non anglophiles, pas beaucoup de termes techniques ce qui facilité d'autant la compréhension. A l'inverse, j'ai trouvé que cet ouvrage manquait un peu d'anecdote.
Gabby is what we yearn for--a real American hero!.......1998-10-28
If current events leave your head spinning...if you go to bed at night wondering where have all the heros gone and wake-up in the morning still searching, read "Gabby A Fighter Pilot's Life" by Francis Gabreski.
In this age, when everybody has an excuse for every meaningless thing, it is humbling and skin dingling to unfold the tale of Gabby's life through each chapter. Gabreski, a man of simple elegance, scripts a tale of greatness throughout the book. This is greatness earned by actions. From humble beginnings, Gabreski travels the American dream through a never boring progression of character challenging and character building struggles. Gabby tells his story with the humility and directness only a real honest hero can possess.
If you never want to be bored, always want to be inspired and feel good throughout, then this book is a "must read". Gabreski's story will leave you shaking your head, with a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.
"Gabby" is a primer in character development. If it needs to be said, Gabreski makes the point that determination, faith, morals and hard work combine to pay a big dividend. Yet, he is subtle, entertaining and a real "class act". Thank you Gabby.
Customer Reviews:
An unfortunate personality.......2007-08-27
I was attracted to this book firstly because of the surname (you never know who might be a relative) and the subject as an ex-airforce pilot who flew P51 Mustangs. The author has a lot to say about the negative history of Tommy McGuire and attempts to distance himself from that and be objective. Unfortunately Charles Martin is never-the-less writing about a home town hero and it shows. The truth can hurt but not therefore to be suppressed; heroes mostly have feet of clay somewhere and here the first half is painfully boring! McGuire is a unpreposessing personality: liked by some but certainly not liked by others. His tight formation mania for example would horrify other tacticians going back to the Spanish Civil War (or is he badly reported?). However, you can assess him for yourself. The politics of "acedom" come through clearly (and not confined to the Pacific or USAF) but one wonders how many died in the pursuit of the cult of the individual. McGuire's last flight is well discussed but in the end the book makes clear he flew often well beyond structural and flight limitation of the aircraft - and it finally bit him. But then, how correct is the text when the author gives the most appallingly inaccurate discription of a spin in a training aircraft - pure fantasy (I speak as a flying instructor). I have read practically every western fighter pilot's autobiograph/biography written - this is the bottom of the pile. Interesting and that is about all. And appalling quality photos.
Long Overdo Biography Does Justice to Last Great Ace.......2004-06-14
I have been a student of aviation history since my childhood. Major Tom McGuire was one of my boyhood heroes and one of the aces I enjoyed learning about. To my knowledge this is the first biography dedicated to McGuire. Let me say that Mr. Martin has done a terriffic job with his book. It is well documented and paints a wonderful picture of McGuire's rather complex personality.
"Mac" doesn't live up to the cliched image of ace at all. He was no poor child growing up hunting in the hills or in the plains. Rather, he came from a well to do family and was something of a "geek" in school. He didn't play football, he played the clarinet.
Mr. Martin does a good job of presenting his facts and his documentation and he draws conclusions where appropriate. He finally introduces the world to Marilynn, McGuire's wife and the inspiration for his airplanes to be named "PUDGY". For the record, she wasn't. The book goes into some detail explaining the so called "ace race" between McGuire and Bong (it was perhaps a bit overstated) as well as McGuire's last flight (there was a reason to hold onto those drop tanks).
If you have ever had any interest in the life of Tom McGuire let me recommend The Last Great Ace to you. My impression about McGuire personally is that I am not sure I would have been friends with him, but I sure would've wanted him leading me into combat. Enjoy.
Should Be A Movie.......2003-05-04
I am a flier and I find this to be one of the finest books about flying I have ever read. McGuire was a great flier and a daredevil, but also a leader of men. Big surprise: he was raised by his mother and grandmother--no father in the home. He learned much of his leadership skills from ROTC at Ga. Tech. These factors go against some of our commonly held ideas about where heroes come from. This story would make a great movie. I've corresponded with the author and have found that McGuire will soon be the subject of a Legends of Airpower program on PBS.
An Outstanding Book About a True Hero.......2003-01-24
There is only one word to describe this book; TREMENDOUS! Author Charles A. Martin has written a masterpiece of aviation history. In this book, the reader is given insight into the life of Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. who would end up as America's number two all-time ace with thirty eight confirmed (and many more unconfirmed) victories. This book does a superior job of giving the reader insight into McGuire's life. The first half of the book deals with McGuire from a young age until he entered flight training. Some of the other reviewers of this book thought that the first half was a waste; I highly disagree. Mr. Martin gives us insight into Tommy's youth and his upbringing, which in the end ultimately resulted in the kind of pilot and leader of men he turned out to be. His upbringing had a major impact on the type of commander he was, and I applaud Mr. Martin for including the early years of McGuire's life. Too often, biographers just concentrate on a specific area of a person's life. I'm glad that I found out what type of person Tommy McGuire was when he was younger. It's easy to see from his childhood how he grew to become such an effective leader.
The second half of the book deals with the actual combat life of Tommy. From August 1943 until his untimely death on January 7, 1945, Major McGuire compiled a record which most fighter pilots only dream about. He shot down thirty eight enemy aircraft; second only to his rival and friend Dick Bong's forty. He also grew to be a highly respected leader, tactician, teacher, and friend. Tommy was a fiery individual in combat, but he was a true friend to his comrades in every sense of the word and he always looked out for the well-being of everyone in his squadron.
I've read dozens of books about the Pacific war, but this book rates as one of my all-time favorites. This is a true classic of aviation history. Read it and discover the life of a true American hero.
One of the Best I Have Ever Read About WWII Fighter Aces!.......2002-06-13
Charles Martin has written the definitive account of the life of Tommy McGuire, one of America's greatest fighter aces. It is fascinating, exciting and instructive. The background information that Martin gives us about McGuire makes us privy to the motivation and inspiration that produced America's finest. I have read most of the books on WWII fighter pilots and find "The Last Great Ace" to be one of the best if not the best.
Max D. Isaacson
Book Description
I managed to live through and survive from a most incredible period of time in the History of the World. That was during the Rise, Fall and Aftermath of the Hitler Regime and World War II. Reading this book is like a "Time Capsule." It brings you into my life from 1925 up until the present time. Over my life span, if someone had predicted to me, what I would have to endure, I would have deemed him "insane." I had a beautiful childhood and was raised in an upscalem German home. Later on, all that was meaningless to me and all that was important was to somehow survive and stay "alive." Somehow I overcame the many cruel obstacles and unbearable odds that were set before me. In the end, somehow I survived through it all, and still keep suriving today.
Customer Reviews:
Awsome History lesson from another point of view.......2007-05-02
This is a wonderful book.I have met Gottfried P.Dulias in person. I found him to be a very impressive man. I felt he could still jump in and fly his Me109G-14/AS.I am a history buff and have an extensive collection of WWll items and books. I always enjoy and find it quite informitive to hear what the other side went through.I feel it is very important to understand BOTH sides in these things. My Son who is 30, has also taken a firm interest in the times of WWll. I think this is very important for the younger people to also never forget what WWll was all about, from BOTH sides. Mr. Dulias is a really great person to get to know. I feel I am privileged to have met him. Best regards, enjoy the book Mr. Richard Staley, Lancaster County Pa.
Insightful History.......2006-06-26
I found the book very interesting in that my relatives came from Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gottfried's life gave me an insight into how my relatives would have worked, celebrated Christmas and went about their daily lives. I've read Hartmann and Rall's books and Gottfried's story is just as good. I believe if Gottfried would have gotten into the war at the same time as Hartmann, he may have given the Blond Knight a run at His 352 aerial victories. It is too bad that these fine young men had to suffer under Hitler's folly. We are also fortunate that a lot of Germans, not Nazis let me make that clear, came to the US after the war to help make America better.
Worthwhile read.......2006-06-03
I purchased this book after meeting Mr. Dulias and hearing him speak about his life and experiences in WWII. I found this book to be very interesting and informative. Not only does it give details about the war and the atrocities that were committed in the Russian POW camps, but a unique perspective into the very real life of Gottfried. The true story of his experiences growing up in Germany during that era, becoming a member of the Hitler Youth as well as his personal life history make the reader truly understand the man behind the story. You come away from the book with a better understanding of the lives of many of the people of Nazi Germany who were trying to be patriotic to their country, but were also attempting to live normal lives.
A wonderful book.......2006-05-04
Gottfried Dulias's story is incredibly captivating, and it is defenitely worth a read. It offers up a perspective that is not often heard, which make it even more worthwhile. For the WWII enthusiast, this is a must read.
A story worth telling and a story worth reading.......2006-02-09
I will admit that I wasn't sure about purchasing this book. I had actually waited over a year before I did. And I'm so sorry I waited.
This book was nothing like I expected. It's a history and a story celebrating life. The book begins with a look at events leading up to the war from the view of a young boy growing up in pre-war Germany. It's interesting to learn about what that was like. The book moves on to basic training and then flight training. These are areas that most books on WW2 would not cover.
But the most heart warming and sad part of the book is the part covering the conditions Gottfried endured in the Russian prison camp system. This book gave me such a lift and made me so thankful to be an American.
The rest of the book is the story of opportunity. Powerful and rewarding to the reader. Is it technically the most flowing text? No. In fact parts are even a little corny. But those were some of the best parts because that's how life really is.
Buy this book and read it. I believe you'll be lifted up.
Book Description
This is the first full-length biography ever written on the life and death of the nineteen-year-old Werner Voss, who was a legend in his own lifetime and the youngest recipient of the Pour le Me'rite, Germany's highest award for bravery in WWI. At the time of his death he was considered by many, friend and foe alike, to be Germany's greatest ace and, had he lived, he would almost certainly have overtaken Manfred von Richthofen's victory total by early spring 1918.
Voss is perhaps best remembered for his outstanding courage, his audacity in the air and the prodigious number of victories he achieved before being killed in one of the most swash-buckling and famous dogfights of the Great War; a fight involving James McCudden and 56 Squadron RFC, the most successful Allied scout squadron.
Yet the life of Voss and the events of that fateful day in September are surrounded by mystery and uncertainty and even now aviation enthusiasts continue to ask questions about him almost on a daily basis.
Barry Diggens was determined to find out the truth and his book unearths and analyses every scrap of information concerning this extraordinary young man. His conclusions are sometimes controversial but his evidence persuasive and this study will be welcomed by, and be of great interest to, the aviation fraternity worldwide.
Includes an excellent photographic section.
Customer Reviews:
Very good reading........2006-11-10
This book not only serves its purpose (examining the life of German ace Werner Voss) but serves as a good introductory book for anyone interested in lear something about World War I dofights and aces, because the author talks about a lot of aces, including Richthofen, Ball, Mannock, Collishaw, Lothar Richthofen, etc.
The photos (all in black and white, of course) are also stunning, with great restoration job upon them.
TEENAGE ACE.......2005-10-26
I GOT THIS BOOK AND I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT.FOR THE FIRST TIME ANYWHERE YOU CAN NOW FIND THE REAL STORY OF THE TEENAGE ACE WERNER VOSS.HE WAS THE BETTER PILOT THAN THE RED BARON SOME SAY AND EVEN THE BARON HIMSELF SAID HE WAS THE ONE TO WATCH.THIS BOOK TELLS THE STORY OF A GREAT KID TO HIS LAST BATTLE WITH THE 7 S.E.5A SCOUTS ON THAT SEPTEMBER EVENING.
A Must Read.......2004-02-09
First off, let me say this is a "Must Read" for anyone remotely interested in the aerial campaigns of WW1 and/or the career of Werner Voss. The subtitle of the book: "The Life and Final Combat of the German World War One Ace Werner Voss" neatly describes the organization of the book with 77 pages devoted to his life and wartime career prior to September 23, 1917, while the final 89 recount the climatic dogfight and its aftermath.
I must say that I was a bit disappointed with the depth of coverage dealing with his wartime career. The author explains that much family and archival material was lost during the Second World War and other than an examination of his relationship with von Richthofen, his personal and professional life remains indistinct. What we are left with is a valuable recounting of all the pertinent postings during his service career and thumbnail descriptions of his 48 aerial victories.
In the recounting of Voss' final Dogfight, where he fought nearly single handed against nine British aircraft, the author gives the reader a clear picture of this epic encounter as well doing some first rate detective work examining the numerous controversies surrounding the fight. The appendices which include the after-action reports of the particpants and a fine selection of photographs are a highlight of the book. This will be a valuable addition to every WW1 aviation bookshelf.
Average customer rating:
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Ace of Aces: The Life of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker
H. Paul Jeffers
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the 20th Century
ASIN: 0891417915
Release Date: 2003-09-30 |
Book Description
ACE OF ACES
The Life of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker
H. Paul Jeffers
Author of In the Roughrider’s Shadow
In this important new biography, acclaimed historian H. Paul Jeffers brings to vivid life one of the most daring and dramatic figures of twentieth century America–Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. Born to immigrant parents with humble means at the turn of the century, Edward Rickenbacker was destined to embody the ingenuity, innovation, and courage that would make the United States a world power.
Rickenbacker burst onto the national scene as one of the nation’s first star race car drivers. In an era when tracks were rough and safety precautions virtually unknown, Rickenbacker pushed the fastest machines at terrifying speeds. Later in life, he would own the Indianapolis Speedway and help establish the sport of modern race car driving as we know it.
But Rickenbacker’s lasting fame came as an “Ace of Aces” in World War I, a fearless fighter pilot who would chase the “Flying Circus” of the legendary Red Baron above the battlefields of France. With his “Hat-in-the-Ring” squadron, Eddie was among the first to understand that the new technology of aviation would forever change the face of warfare. Shooting down twenty-six enemy planes in just seven months, he captured the hearts of a nation back home involved in its first Great War.
Even after the war, he remained a national figure as one of the founders of Eastern Airlines. Turning his wartime experience to peacetime industry, Rickenbacker again led American interests in reshaping the world. And in one of the most dramatic chapters of World War II, a plane on which Rickenbacker flew as a civilian crash-landed in the Pacific Ocean. He survived as a castaway for twenty-four days before a rescue that defied the odds.
Ace of Aces is the unparalleled story of a hero and the dramatic events that shaped our country and our history.
Customer Reviews:
Engaging and enjoyable........2007-08-03
This book is an engaging and human view of Eddie Rickenbacker. It includes a lot of personal information, and reveals his weaker side in some regards. The narrative moves well. It was a pleasant read and made me see Rickenbacker as a human being.
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