Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany

Book Description

Masters of the Air is the deeply personal story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler's doorstep. With the narrative power of fiction, Donald Miller takes readers on a harrowing ride through the fire-filled skies over Berlin, Hanover, and Dresden and describes the terrible cost of bombing for the German people.

Fighting at 25,000 feet in thin, freezing air that no warriors had ever encountered before, bomber crews battled new kinds of assaults on body and mind. Air combat was deadly but intermittent: periods of inactivity and anxiety were followed by short bursts of fire and fear. Unlike infantrymen, bomber boys slept on clean sheets, drank beer in local pubs, and danced to the swing music of Glenn Miller's Air Force band, which toured U.S. air bases in England. But they had a much greater chance of dying than ground soldiers. In 1943, an American bomber crewman stood only a one-in-five chance of surviving his tour of duty, twenty-five missions. The Eighth Air Force lost more men in the war than the U.S. Marine Corps.

The bomber crews were an elite group of warriors who were a microcosm of America -- white America, anyway. (African-Americans could not serve in the Eighth Air Force except in a support capacity.) The actor Jimmy Stewart was a bomber boy, and so was the "King of Hollywood," Clark Gable. And the air war was filmed by Oscar-winning director William Wyler and covered by reporters like Andy Rooney and Walter Cronkite, all of whom flew combat missions with the men.

The Anglo-American bombing campaign against Nazi Germany was the longest military campaign of World War II, a war within a war. Until Allied soldiers crossed into Germany in the final months of the war, it was the only battle fought inside the German homeland.

Strategic bombing did not win the war, but the war could not have been won without it. American

airpower destroyed the rail facilities and oil refineries that supplied the German war machine. The bombing campaign was a shared enterprise: the British flew under the cover of night while American bombers attacked by day, a technique that British commanders thought was suicidal.

Masters of the Air is a story, as well, of life in wartime England and in the German prison camps, where tens of thousands of airmen spent part of the war. It ends with a vivid description of the grisly hunger marches captured airmen were forced to make near the end of the war through the country their bombs destroyed.

Drawn from recent interviews, oral histories, and American, British, German, and other archives, Masters of the Air is an authoritative, deeply moving account of the world's first and only bomber war.

Customer Reviews:

A "must read" for all those interested in WW II........2007-10-10

This monumental work covers the bomber war in Europe in a more complete way than any other book I have read including anything the great Martin Caidin has written. Mr. Miller tells the story from the perspectives of the tail gunners, waist gunners, radiomen, bombadiers, navigators, co-pilots and pilots as well as the generals who devised the strategys. All aspects of the war are covered from the original construction of the air bases to airplane maintenance to training to missions to time-off at local village pubs. Unlike other books, this one covers the POWs and their horrendous plight especially as the war is winding down and the Nazis more them from location to location ahead of the advancing Allies. Miller also includes stories about Capt. Tibbets of Hiroshima fame and a fascinating story of Chuck Yeager's escape from occupied Europe through Spain and his subsequent return to combat, something almost never allowed because re-patriated flyers knew too much about the french underground that would jeapordize lives if they were shot down a second time. Also of interest was information about what happened to crewmen who elected to land in "neutral" Switzerland in wounded ships. I recommend this book highly.

Masters of the Air.......2007-09-11

A marvelous story about the WW II air war over Europe. Full of interesting details and descriptions. I have shared it with friends that did their 35 missions, and they concur.

The Story of the "Mighty Eighth".......2007-09-08

This well-written and exhaustively researched book chronicles the rise of the American Eighth Air Force from its early days in England to VE Day in 1945.

At the outset of the war, the British believed that night bombing was the best way to attack German cities and industry. However, once America entered the war, they chose a philosophy different from that of the British. The Americans believed that daylight precision strategic bombing was the only way to defeat the Germans. The British, on the other hand, still favored nighttime area bombing. This difference of opinion between the Americans and British was never really settled, but by combining the "round the clock" attacks of American planes during the day and British planes at night, the Germans faced an unending stream of planes and bombs.

When the Eighth flew their first mission in the fall of 1942, they could barely muster thirty planes, but at the end of the war, they were putting up well over one thousand, with several hundred fighter escorts as well. The German Luftwaffe could not match these incredible numbers of planes, and, despite such tactics as underground production and introducing the world's first jet fighter, there was little they could do to stop the Allied bombing.

Differences also existed between the British and Americans regarding target selection. The British favored carpet bombing Germany's cities with little or no regard for civilian casualties. The Americans favored targeting German industry (synthetic oil production, ball bearings, and transportation hubs). The Americans believed that the systematic destruction of the German economy would bring about surrender quicker than the British belief of "terror attacks" designed to break the will of the German people.

An interesting point made by the author is whether or not strategic bombing was effective against the Germans. A preponderance of the evidence would suggest that the answer to this question is "yes", but there are some compelling counter-points made in the book.

This is a fine work of aviation history. The book is well-researched and is easy to read and understand. Every aspect of the Allied bomber offensive in Europe is covered in great detail. The author also includes many personal testimonials from the men who flew the B-17s and B-24s against the Germans. An interesting chapter is also devoted to the Swiss government and how they treated "captured" Allied fliers. The terrifying incendiary raid on Dresden as well as the horrific destruction of Berlin is also told in vivid detail.

I give this fine book my highest recommendation. If you're looking for information on the Eighth Air Force and the air war over Europe, this is the book to read.

Does anyone at Simon & Schuster proofread?.......2007-09-04

Mr. Miller's book includes not only substantial research into prior publications but very interesting research based on letters and interviews he's found on his own. It's a good book. But if you're a member of the word police you'll be annoyed by the many proofreading errors. Here's a sample: "In the heavily defended Ruhr, with its permanent cloud of industrial smoke, the number was only in ten." (p.54) Should have been "within ten miles." Some errors are so simple a spell checker would have caught them: (p.199) "spining" for spinning. And there are some factual errors as well. Miller attributes contrails to wingtips. They're created by engines. It's much easier to criticize than to write. Still, S&S should have, with the several editors listed in the acknowledgments, caught the errors. I have no idea whether they have been corrected in the paperback.

The Unsung Heroes of The Eighth Air Force.......2007-08-26

This is an overdue tribute to those young men who gave their lives, in great numbers, fighting the air war over Germany in WWII.To those who think WWII was fought without major tatical errors, this book will be a revelation. In tribute to the kids who lost their lives in this bloody effort, everyone should be required to read this story. If you thought that service in the Air Force was a cake walk read this book.

Military Flight Aptitude Tests, 6/e (Arco Military Test Tutor)

Average customer rating:

Good for the AFAST
Good but incomplete for people who struggle in math
Far from perfect, but much better than the Cliffs Notes version.
good book for navy test
Good Book across the board

Military Flight Aptitude Tests, 6/e (Arco Military Test Tutor)
Wiener
Manufacturer: Arco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Officer Candidate, 7th edition (Arco Military Test Tutor)
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ASIN: 076891700X

Book Description

Admission to the military's flight training programs is very competitive. To qualify for a flight training program, candidates must earn a qualifying score on the test that pertains to their chosen branch. Military Flight Aptitude Tests provides the guidance and test preparation to qualify for military flight training with an in-depth review of each question type. Details are included about career opportunities as military pilots, flight officers, and pilots as well as information on becoming an officer. Information is also provided on each of the flight training programs: Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Army, and Navy.

Customer Reviews:

Good for the AFAST.......2007-08-14

This review is for anyone taking the Army's AFAST exam. I'm not sure how good this book is for other exams.

There are two reasons I recommend this book for the Army's AFAST exam;

First of all, you need to really practice the Complex Movements section of the test. It seems to make or break most test takers and is very hard to understand if you are unfamiliar with it. This practice alone makes the book worth it.

Second, the Army AFAST exam isn't really a hard exam, however it's graphics are so poor it makes it a hard exam. Therefore, using this book to teach yourself how the exam expects you to recognize its poor graphics pays off really well during exam time.

For these two reasons, I recommend this book. It's not a great 'review' book, however it will teach you how to take the test...which can be just as important.

Good but incomplete for people who struggle in math.......2007-07-15

Arco's Military Flight Aptitude Tests study guide gives you a good overview of the subjects that you will be tested on. If you have a strong backround in basic physics and math, then you should be able to get by with this book. But if you need extra help relearning math and physics, then I would recomend buying Kaplans GRE study guide, since it will actually teach you the concepts (I stink at math, so I really needed a book that put the concepts in simpler terms, so that I could do well on the math word problems).

Arco's MFAT just has sample questions, but it does teach you some stuff about the flight material you will need to learn. So I recomend you buy it, because you not going to find any book that can teach you some of the unique flight (and natical if your joining the Navy) material that you will find in Arco's book. But if you need a math and physics update, then buy Kaplans GRE study guide.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Far from perfect, but much better than the Cliffs Notes version........2007-01-16

While there are many things wrong with this test prep book, it is much better than the Cliffs Notes MFAT prep book. The Spatial Apperception in this book is slightly different than the corresponding section on the ASTB, but it is much better than the same part of the cliffs book where most of the questions have incorrect answers and are poorly presented. Use this in conjunction with the marine ASTB gouge, and whatever other gouge you can find at the AirWarriors website. And be sure to cram on the math as it is the most important part for your OAR. I got 65 OAR, and 8,7,7 on my first try.

good book for navy test.......2007-01-13

This book is good, but the best study guide is the marine one you can find online. this book also works well for the afoqt, but remember that they changed the test. There is no electric maze.

Good Book across the board.......2006-11-13

I am a recent college grad and was interested in joining the Navy to fly planes. I had no clue on what becoming an officer meant or what to expect on the journey to get there. The book gives you practice test for each branch of the military (navy army air force etc) for their entrance exams. I was studying for the ASVAB. If you have a basic understanding of math and take some time (about a week) to familiarize yourself with the test you'll do fine. The book also gave valuable info on different types of flight paths to go, ex. pilot, NFO. All in all if I had to do it again I'd probably purchase this book. However I found out later in my search online that you can actually download this book. I forgot which site it was but a few minutes to find it will probably save you a little bit of money in the end.

The Fire: The Bombing of Germany, 1940-1945

Average customer rating:

Detailed German Viewpoint of the Air War; Inadequate Contextualization
Interesting WW1 perspective
Astonishing and Riveting
Tom's Review
Recommended, but a Partial Perspective

The Fire: The Bombing of Germany, 1940-1945
Jörg Friedrich
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Among The Dead Cities: The History and Moral Legacy of the WWII Bombing of Civilians in Germany and Japan
The End: Hamburg 1943
After the Reich: The Brutal History of The Allied Occupation
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Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600-1947

ASIN: 0231133804

Book Description

For five years during the Second World War, the Allies launched a trial and error bombing campaign against Germany's historical city landscape. Peaking in the war's final three months, it was the first air attack of its kind. Civilian dwellings were struck by-in today's terms-"weapons of mass destruction," with a total of 600,000 casualties, including 70,000 children.

In The Fire, historian J& ouml;rg Friedrich explores this crucial chapter in military and world history. Combining meticulous research with striking illustrations, Friedrich presents a vivid account of the saturation bombing, rendering in acute detail the annihilation of cities such as Dresden, the jewel of Germany's rich art and architectural heritage. He incorporates the personal stories and firsthand testimony of German civilians into his narrative, creating a macabre portrait of unimaginable suffering, horror, and grief, and he draws on official military documents to unravel the reasoning behind the strikes.

Evolving military technologies made the extermination of whole cities possible, but owing, perhaps, to the Allied victory and what W. G. Sebald noted as "a pre-conscious self-censorship, a way of obscuring a world that could no longer be presented in comprehensible terms," the wisdom of this strategy has never been questioned. The Fire is a rare account of the air raids as they were experienced by the civilians who were their targets.

Customer Reviews:

Detailed German Viewpoint of the Air War; Inadequate Contextualization .......2007-07-19

In this "encyclopedia of pain", Friedrich elaborates on Allied bombing tactics, Nazi countermeasures, civil defense, etc. He goes city-by-city, giving the reader a German-history lesson before discussing its bombing.

Consider the forced laborers: "Poles and Ukrainians were considered the most loyal workers. Poles, marked with a `P' on their clothing, showed great attachment to their farmsteads and the livestock they cared for. Near Cologne, `two Poles rescued the livestock out of burning stalls despite the flames; they had to be protected all the while by the spray of the water hoses.'" (p. 430)

Friedrich includes ironies. He comments: "The Huns returned in modern times as a slang term for the Germans. Emperor Wilhelm II, in his brash manner, even referred to himself as one." (p. 223). The Trawniki (Ukrainian and Baltic collaborators), who earlier burned the bodies of Jews in massive pyres at such places as Treblinka, now put their expertise to use in the mass cremations of German bodies (p. 379). The V2 rockets claimed more lives in their construction than in their explosions (p. 113).

The behaviors of German civilians help the reader understand comparable actions by others under wartime conditions. Much has been made of the Poles' looting of recently-Jewish properties. Yet some 15,000 German civilians were sentenced to death for various antisocial acts, including looting (pp. 392-394).

Friedrich tiptoes around the Germans' choice of Hitler by pointing to all those German children killed by Allied bombing who couldn't even know what a Nazi was (p. 483). Nice try, but it won't fly (pardon the pun). Actions have consequences. When voters go to the polls, they fully understand that they are voting not only for their own future, but also for that of their co-nationals and, of course, their children. In MEIN KAMPF, the Fuhrer-to-be planned a large war against the Slavic east for lebensraum. By voting for Hitler, the Germans were also tacitly voting for the destruction of Slavic children. The German people had a choice about the precipitation of a new war; the Poles and other recipients of German aggression had no such choice.

Friedrich also under-emphasizes the precedent-setting conduct of German aerial warfare. He cites the bombing of Warsaw, including the strategy of using explosive bombs to drive people into their cellars, followed by incendiary bombing to suffocate (or burn) the people now trapped there (p. 50). However, the bombing of Poland dwarfed the subsequent horrors at Rotterdam, Coventry, and London. Already in the predawn hours of September 1, 1939, the Luftwaffe was slaughtering large numbers of Polish civilians in wholesale attacks on obviously nonmilitary targets (including hospitals and cultural shrines). In Warsaw alone tens of thousands of Polish civilians perished in three weeks of furious German overkill. Not until some 3 years into the war did a single Allied air raid cost the lives of 10,000 or more German or Japanese civilians! Friedrich mentions the Allied strafing of Germans (p. 128), but not the fact that the Luftwaffe habitually strafed columns of fleeing Polish civilians already back in 1939.

Friedrich elaborates on the destruction of libraries (pp. 472-479), notably the painful loss of over 2,000 incunabula in Berlin (p. 478), but again without adequate contextualization. After the fall of the Warsaw Uprising, the Germans systematically burned all of the libraries and archives of Warsaw, causing the loss of some 13 million volumes, including some 500,000 irreplaceable ones. That, rather than the destruction of German libraries, was perhaps the greatest book-burning in history. Ditto for architecture: The retreating Germans didn't blow up the militarily-innocent cultural cities of Krakow and Czestochowa only for failing to complete the laying of the explosive charges before the unexpectedly-early advance of the Red Army.

Interesting WW1 perspective.......2007-06-27

Rather lengthy account of the result of Allied bombing in OF Germany during ww2. Graphic and dismal,yet sheds light on the terrible consequences of war.

Astonishing and Riveting.......2007-06-14

I am a WWII buff and have read an awful lot about the war generally and the firebombing campaigns in particular. But this book takes it to a new level, a riveting, highly depressing account of the intentional targeting and slaughtering of tens of thousands of civilians in an explicit effort to "weaken the will" of the German people and thus hasten the end of the war.

Churchill really comes across as the instigator of much of the detailed destruction of historic city centers, ancient churches and steeples, dams, water mains, you just about name it. Roosevelt is described by the author as "more humane" and mostly focused on the targeting of legitimate military and industrial targets.

But according to this book, the British worked for years with fire prevention specialists to devise the best method to destroy old and largely defenseless historic German cities. Careful attention was paid by the British to which buildings would burn fastest, how it would best be spread, which fire walls and water mains to destroy, and how to stop the fire from being put out in order to maximize civilian death and destruction. The author makes no real attempt to justify any of this, other than to say that the British were desperate and being bombed themselves.

Interesting facts - Churchill ordered from the US military a large quantity of anthrax, to be dropped on German cities, but the anthrax was set to arrive after the Allies landed on the continent, so the plan was disbanded.

New facts recounted of the horrific British destruction of the massive dams protecting the Ruhr river valley, leading to massive drowning, drought, and devastation of defenseless women and children living in villages downriver. The technology of firebombing, and the effects on the civilians who retreated to cellars, are all discussed in painful detail. Attention is paid to the great likelihood of dying that the British bombers knew went along with their dangerous missions, but the pilots are hardly described here as "heroes."

The book, however, lacks a narrative structure and could have been more crisply edited. It is simply a collection of death and destruction, intentional and targeted directly at civilians, with account after account of successful bombing raids and their effect on the historic treasures there were destroyed as a result -- along with the many many thousands of civilian dead.

This is a hard read, and I found myself reaching for someone or something to help me understand the moral equivalency of what I had been reading -- something to put it into perspective so you are not left with the sense that war is hell, and many war crimes were committed by the participants with no understanding of the whys or the moral justifications for same. For this book, it is the hows that are itemized in dark deadly detail.

Tom's Review.......2007-06-13

Very comprehensive review of the bombing of Germany during WWII, but not very readable.
I consider it to be a good reference book. Anyone seeking specific information or details about the bombing will probably find it in this book, if they look hard enough. And that's the problem. The wealth of information is not very well organized, making the narration hard to follow and a difficult read, even for this died-in-the-wool WWII buff.

Recommended, but a Partial Perspective.......2007-05-19

A different type of history, not a narrative history but an impressionistic one of the terrible effects of the Allied bombing in Germany on both the German public and cultural treasures. This book must be balanced by books such as Robin Neilland's "The Bomber War" and Donald Miller's "Masters of the Air." The U.S. Eighth Air Force tried daylight precision bombing for the initial period of their operations, but in the Schweinfurt raid they lost 60 bombers (600 air crew). This loss rate could not continue, so they switched to area bombing, following the British Bomber Command example. This is the only possible strategy they could have adopted. Bombing was just not accurate enough in those days (unlike today) to be able to precisely hit military targets. The results were devastating on German civilians and precious cultural treasures like churches and books, but no other means of attack would have worked. This only emphasizes the great tragedy of war and how much it should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Another point the author makes is that at a certain point Germany was beaten, why did the bombing continue? Answer: the government would not surrender, and the fight was brutal until near the very end. After the Germans started the second world war within two generations, the Allies insisted that Germany be totally defeated, unlike the WW I armistice. Even after the WW II surrender there was armed action by the Werewolf organization. Disclosure: my father was career U.S. Air Force and served in WWII, though in the Pacific. I've worked as a civilian for the Air Force for over 20 years. I've never met anyone who hated war more than those who have fought them, the soldiers who bear the brunt of the action. But sometimes the human tragedy of war is the only choice if tyrants are not to rule the world. The author realizes that, he's not a pacifist. We can join him in mourning the loss of life and cultural treasures, but not in his unrealistic view that an alternative course of action could have been taken. Certainly, read this book, but don't stop there if you want the full history on these tragic issues.

Average customer rating:

Very, very interesting.
God Bless You Boys, Every One, For Your Sacrifice to Freedom
It Was Their Last Full Meassure of Devotion
Wow
Th best war history of the year

The Few
Alex Kershaw
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany
The Longest Winter: The Battle of the Bulge and the Epic Story of WWII's Most Decorated Platoon
Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of her Survivors
Untold Valor: Forgotten Stories of American Bomber Crews over Europe in World War II
Sea of Thunder: Four Commanders and the Last Great Naval Campaign 1941-1945

ASIN: 0306813033

Book Description

The never-before-told story of the American pilots--idealists, adventurers, romantics--who joined the RAF before America entered the war in order to fight Hitler and save Britain

By the summer of 1940 World War II had been under way for nearly a year. Hitler was triumphant and planning an invasion of England. But the United States was still a neutral country and, as Winston Churchill later observed, "the British people held the fort alone." A few Americans, however, did not remain neutral. They joined Britain's Royal Air Force to fight Hitler's air aces and help save Britain in its darkest hour.

The Few is the never-before-told story of these thrill-seeking Americans who defied their country's neutrality laws to fly side-by-side with England's finest pilots. They flew the lethal and elegant Spitfire, and became "knights of the air." With minimal training and plenty of guts they dueled the skilled pilots of Germany's Luftwaffe in the blue skies over England. They shot down several of Germany's fearsome aces, and were feted as national heroes in Britain. By October 1940, they had helped England win the greatest air battle in the history of aviation. At war's end, just one of the "Few" would be alive. The others died flying, wearing the RAF's dark blue uniform-each with a shoulder patch depicting an American eagle. As Winston Churchill said, "Never in the fieldof human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."

Customer Reviews:

Very, very interesting........2007-09-03

I learned much about the "Battle of Britain" and the eight Americans (one was listed on the RAF rosters as Canadian) who faught in it. Occuring before the US entered the war, this account is about the people who defended Britain from Hitler's attempt to destroy the RAF and London before invading the island. Hitler almost succeeded but for the heroism of the entire RAF including the eight Americans who, against the laws if the US enlisted and fought. Well written. Battle accounts are riviting. I highly recommend this book.

God Bless You Boys, Every One, For Your Sacrifice to Freedom.......2007-06-23

Well, as I come here to review this awesome book, I see that many have beaten me to it! And that, certainly, is a very good thing! This shows that I am not alone in trumpeting this book to you.

Kershaw is an excellent author, and I shall be seeking out his other books for my library, I'm sure. Through his prose, these sturdy, brave young men come to life again that you may experience their story, and their sacrifice that freedom should still remain throughout the world. Have you ever wondered "I wonder how close Hitler came to taking over the world, really?" Well, this will give you the answer, straight up. Had England lost the Battle of Britain, we would, for sure, be living in a very different world today. Yet, while these eight very brave young Americans were risking life and limb fighting across the Atlantic, we were twiddling our thumbs and looking the other way. What did it take to wake us up? One Sunday morning 9 miles west of Honolulu...that Sunday--December 7, 1941.

I recommend this book so strongly to anyone who is a history lover, or interested in WWII, or The Battle of Britian, or anyone who enjoys the self-affirming "rightness" of those who truly give of themselves, and stand up for what they believe in. Again, "God Bless You Boys, Every One" for standing up and being counted as true heroes against Hitler's Nazi Scourge.

It Was Their Last Full Meassure of Devotion.......2007-06-05

They came from all walks of life. Each with his own personal story and reason for being there; but, the one theme that ran constant throughout. They cherished freedom and love for country even if it was not their own.

Alex Kershaw documents the courage and tenacity of 8 American flyers who defied the odds by circumventing America's neutrality to become " The Few" to serve in the RAF prior to, during, and after the Battle of Britain. Their story has, for the most part, been only a footnote in the titanic struggle that took place in the skies over England. The author, known for his recognition of near-forgotten men in WWII, has once again featured the contributions of men, undistinguished but for the fact that they forsook the safety and security of their country to answer a higher calling, namely to aid in the vanquishing of a world tyrant. The defeat of the German Luftwaffe was the first step in achieving that goal.

The story of the legendary two time olympic gold medalist, William Fiske, was particularly fascinating. The man had everything one could hope for or dream of; but instead, chose to devote his last days to what was then thought of as a losing cause. In addition to his considerable athletic achievements, he is now remembered as the first American airman to die in combat flying for the RAF in Europe.

Prime Minister Winston Churchhill said it most eloqently and appreciatively when he stated: " Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. " This was in marked contrast to the cowardly utterings pacifist Charles Lindbergh and the defeatist ambassador Joseph Kennedy.

Mr. Kershaw keep writing! The noble warriors of WWII deserve the best and you have neither forgotten or forsaken them.

Wow.......2007-04-04

I couldn't put it down! The Battle of Britain was unbelievable and what these pilots did was beyond belief.A book not for the faint of heart. A book for every pilot to read. A wonderful history lesson,all true and not a Hollywood movie.

Th best war history of the year.......2007-03-13

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Both the writing and the storylinewere excellent. My wife, who normally does't read history of any kind, and very little non-fiction, read this book avidly.

Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1992-93 (Jane's All the World's Aircraft)

Average customer rating:

Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1992-93 (Jane's All the World's Aircraft)

Manufacturer: Jane's Information Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Average customer rating:

Nicest aircrafts book I've never seen.
Best of the best...
Must Have for WWII Aviation Enthusiasts
Incredible!
Lots of nostalgia

Great Book of World War II Airplanes
Rh Value Publishing
Manufacturer: Gramercy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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The Great Book Of Modern Warplanes
Graphic War: The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War II

ASIN: 0517160242
Release Date: 1996-06-10

Customer Reviews:

Nicest aircrafts book I've never seen........2007-03-09

I think that everything has been said if you read the other reviews but it was not possible for me not to tell my happiness when I discover it in reality. I was relly surprised about the beautiful illustrations and the size of this book, it's simply HUGE !
A must-have for any aircraft enthusiast.

Best of the best..........2005-02-23

I bought this book new from the Smithsonian Museum bookstore when I was just a kid. Now some 20-odd years later it still sits on the shelf right behind my desk, and I still frequently comb through its pages with the same enthusiasm I had when it was new. I will never let this book out of my possesion.

It's so valuable to me I had to find another copy for my business partner and fellow R/C fanatic so that he wouldn't have to keep borrowing mine! ;D ...that's why I decided to drop my 2-cents in here.

If you are an airplane buff, or more importantly, if you have any passion for the top planes of WWII, this book is not optional. You MUST have it. Period. Once you open it, you will understand what I am saying.

Must Have for WWII Aviation Enthusiasts.......2001-11-08

If you enjoy WWII aircraft, and appreciate the breath taking detail and accuracy of Rikyu Watanabe illustrations, you must have this book. I found my copy 3 years ago at OshKosh, and have been offered (...)for it - no way was I parting with it. It is, without question, the finest piece of reference / art work on these 12 aircraft I have ever seen. Vet, IFR Priv. pilot, R/C aircraft modeler.

Incredible!.......2000-12-15

I'm a WWII airplanes enthsiast, and this book has filled all my expectations. The text, the scaled drawings, the fold-out panels, everithing is exceptional in this complete guide of WWII airplanes. The drawings of this book are incredibly detailed, and if you're meticulous, you'll never find a book like this. My grandfather was a WWII pilot and became nostalgic when he saw the plane he had flown.

Lots of nostalgia.......2000-07-04

In my opinion, the most beautiful book of WWII aircraft which has ever been published.

I have flown the F4U-5NL Bu.No. 124511 found in the picture on page 253 with Ens. Cawley's name on the side. He was one of our squadron mates in VC-4, NAS Atlantic City in the early 'fifties.

Brings back many fond memories. Highly recommended to all aviators and aviation enthusiasts.

Book Description

Now, more than 50 years after its founding, the United States Air Force celebrates its spirit and essence in this deluxe-format book. Essays on Air Force history and today's aviators focus not only on the planes, helicopters, rockets, and technology but also on the special people that make it all work. Hundreds of full-color and vintage photography, portraits, recruiting posters, and historically inspired paintings complement the informative text. Written by a team of qualified historians, specialized authors, and associated experts, The Air Force links pilots past and present to America's first brave flyers, the Wright brothers.

Customer Reviews:

Nice book - for what it is supposed to be........2004-05-10

This book (which you are much better off purchasing here on Amazon than at a retail bookstore) achieves exactly what it was designed to be - a coffee table book. Granted, it is a large, impressive, authoritative, glossy coffee table book, and it is NOT - as lamented by some reviewers - designed to be an exhaustive tome covering every historical nuance down to the color of Hap Arnold's socks on a Saturday morning in 1942. Even the Air Force Historical Foundation describes the book as a "coffee table" book. It has more than enough beautiful full-color photos and depictions to keep a recipient happy, but hardcore history buffs, especially those looking for more informal, off-the-record accounts of Air Force development and evolution, will want to look elsewhere. For the rest of us, this book will provide hours of entertainment, for its sheer mass alone.

Great Book for Air Force Buffs.......2003-04-05

This is a great book for Air Force Buffs. It may not be an exhaustive history but is still a great book. The lavish pictures are great to explore. If you have an interest in "the wild blue yonder" that is based on fact and not fiction, this may be a great choice for you. The book is awesome in appearance also.

Air Force History? Don't think so.......2002-12-11

I saw this book & quite frankly I agree with one of the major editorial groups that evaluated this publication. I am disappointed by this book's authors who fail to mention a background on all who affected the Air Force then & now. No background was ever given to the career histories of the chiefs of staff & civilian secretaries especially Hap Arnold. To some, these histories are boring, but to others they provide a thorough background for how the Air Force organizes, fights, & wins any type of war that may surface. Lousy book & definitely too bulky with no pertinent information.

The Air Force.......2002-12-07

This is an outstanding book. The photos are captivating and the text informative. I went to the company website,... , and read the reviews before I bought this for my brother at the Air Force Academy. I have to agree with Chuck Yeager's analysis of the book when he said, "That is one hell of a book! After sixty years in cockpits, flying every plane in the Air Force, I have seen everything. All of it is captured beautifully in the photos, paintings, and stories of this terrific book."

Average customer rating:

Excellent and revealing
One of the greatest combat books I have ever read
Great Story Highly Recommended
First Rate Military History -- move over Cornelius Ryan
Unbelievable

Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War
Mark Bowden
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

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Black Hawk Down

ASIN: 0140288503
Release Date: 2000-02-28

Amazon.com

Journalist Mark Bowden delivers a strikingly detailed account of the 1993 nightmare operation in Mogadishu that left 18 American soldiers dead and many more wounded. This early foreign-policy disaster for the Clinton administration led to the resignation of Secretary of Defense Les Aspin and a total troop withdrawal from Somalia. Bowden does not spend much time considering the context; instead he provides a moment-by-moment chronicle of what happened in the air and on the ground. His gritty narrative tells of how Rangers and elite Delta Force troops embarked on a mission to capture a pair of high-ranking deputies to warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid only to find themselves surrounded in a hostile African city. Their high-tech MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters had been shot down and a number of other miscues left them trapped through the night. Bowden describes Mogadishu as a place of Mad Max-like anarchy--implying strongly that there was never any peace for the supposed peacekeepers to keep. He makes full use of the defense bureaucracy's extensive paper trail--which includes official reports, investigations, and even radio transcripts--to describe the combat with great accuracy, right down to the actual dialogue. He supplements this with hundreds of his own interviews, turning Black Hawk Down into a completely authentic nonfiction novel, a lively page-turner that will make readers feel like they're standing beside the embattled troops. This will quickly be realized as a modern military classic. --John J. Miller

Book Description

The acclaimed New York Times bestseller Black Hawk Down is "a shocking account of modern warfare . . . gripping and horrifying" (San Francisco Chronicle)

Destined to become a classic of war reporting, Black Hawk Down is Mark Bowden's brilliant account of the longest sustained firefight involving American troops since the Vietnam War. On October 3rd, 1993, about a hundred elite U.S. soldiers were dropped by helicopter into the teeming market in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. Their mission was to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord and return to base. It was supposed to take an hour. Instead they found themselves pinned down through a long and terrible night fighting against thousands of heavily armed Somalis. The following morning, eighteen Americans were dead and more than seventy had been badly injured.

Drawing on interviews from both sides, army records, audiotapes, and videos (some of the material is still classified), Bowden's minute-by-minute narrative is one of the most exciting accounts of modern combat ever written--a riveting story that captures the heroism, courage, and brutality of battle.

"Black Hawk Down ranks among the best books ever written about infantry combat. . . . A descendent of books like The Killer Angels and We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young."-- Bob Shacochis, The New York Observer

"If Black Hawk Down were fiction we'd rank it up there with the best war novels: The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer, or The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien."-- Tom Walker, The Denver Post

"Stands in a league with Shelby Foote's stirring Civil War Diary, Shiloh."-- Jim Haner, The Baltimore Sun

"One of the most gripping and authoritative accounts of combat ever written."-- Kirk Spitzer, USA Today

"Amazing . . . One of the most intense, visceral reading experiences imaginable."-- The Philadelphia Inquirer
A New York Times bestseller for 14 weeks
Bowden's Black Hawk Down series, which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer was awarded the Overseas Press Club's Hal Boyle Award for best foreign reporting

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and revealing.......2007-08-29

The beginning of this book kinda made me want to be a soldier but as it got into the actual horrors of war it seriously scared a strong sense of reality into me. Anyone who is thinking of joining the military should read this book first. Not that I'm trying to discourage people but just that they should take it seriously and not just think of it as an easy way to pay off school loans or something.

Anyway, the book is fantastic. Get it and read it.

One of the greatest combat books I have ever read.......2007-08-16

This book is great. It tells about the Battle of the Black Sea extremly well with several different perspectives. From stories of some of the Delta opperators to the Habr Gidr clan members fighting them, this book tells it very, very well. Only Flags of Our Fathers rivals Black Hawk Down. If you like combat books, I highly recommend this book.

Great Story Highly Recommended .......2007-07-13

Let me incorporate, by reference the many well earned accolades of the other reviews. This is an exceptional book and deserves the praise. However, there are some limitations.

The first is that two men watching the same person do nothing more than walk down the street may have perceptions of the event that would make it appear that they observed two different events, the second is that some of the intimate observations of those who fought there may have been reserved during interviews and the third is that Bowden may have received some politically correct guidance from above. Finally there is something enlightening in the unedited words of some of the experienced participants.

MSG Howe, a legend in the Special Forces community wrote an excellent book , Leadership and Training For the Fight. Deliberately misses the well edited polish as he uses presents personal combat experience to illustrate the key subjects he is discussing. Much of the action is on the ground as a participant in what became knows as Blackhawk Down. Howe discusses the critical differences in between the Rangers and Special Forces as they fought together. The second additional reference are the two books by Durant, In The Company of Heroes and Night Stalkers.

One of the messages of the other books on the subject which directly conflicts with the conclusions of Blackhawk Down is the impact of the removal of the AC-130's from the area had on the operation. The theater commander was denied the AC-130 gunships and American armor. Bowden repeats the Washington spin that the gunships would have been ineffective in the urban environment. However, Durant notes the huge psych impact when the gunships were returned to the fight a fee days later, while he was still held prisoner. It is further reported that the Secy of Defense came down to the SF camp once they were home to apologize for the removal of the gunships and soften the blow that there would be no formal after action report.

The performance of the gunships in several firefights in Afghanistan clearly demonstrated that they could work very closely with troops on the ground who were vastly outnumbered and fighting for survival within stone throwing distance. There also no doubt that the Little Birds and gunships could have been used together.

Durant and Howe provide the framework to understand the tactics and mission of those on the ground and in the air on those fateful days.

All three books leave the reader stunned at the quality, dedication and effectiveness of those who serve our country.

First Rate Military History -- move over Cornelius Ryan.......2007-07-12

This rates as one of the best military histories I have ever read.

Mark Bowden is scrupulously careful, balanced, and thorough. He presents a very complex incident with color, passion, and detail, cataloging the sounds, smells, and visuals of this frightful engagement.

He allows the participants among American and Somali soldiers and noncombatants to tell their own stories in their own words. Occasionally he steps back and presents historical/political background to let the reader see this "Battle of the Black Sea" in context.

The movie version (Ridley Scott directing) was exceptionally well done, fast-paced, fierce, gritty, and like the battle itself, ultimately very sad and leaving a sense of futility, given that the U.S. scampered out of Somalia shortly after the battle. Yet the movie was light and almost careless of many details compared with this book.

Move over, Cornelius Ryan.

Unbelievable.......2007-04-30

I'm so upset that I watched the movie first. In my opinion the book is 100x's better and I'm surprised to see how many story lines that they have changed. The details just make you shake your head in shock. In the movie they didn't really mention (I can't recall) Air Force Combat Controller's. Honestly if it wasn't for them there would have more casualties. It's an amazing modern war story that won't put you to sleep. I enjoyed the pictures at the end of the book. I like to put names and faces together.
A great read from beginning to end.

Average customer rating:

Officer's Guide Review
On Being An Air Force Officer

Air Force Officer's Guide
Jeffrey C. Benton
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Aviation | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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Airman's Guide, 7th Edition (Airman's Guide)

ASIN: 0811731944

Book Description

Professional materials needed for a successful career as an Air Force officer from cadet to general, both active duty and reserves. Some of the topics covered: * U.S. Air Force organizations and types of assignments * Duties and responsibilities * Privileges, benefits, restrictions * Customs and courtesies * Career development and promotion * Pay and allowances * Command and leadership * Uniforms and insignia * Complete data on Air Force installations worldwide * Extensive references to regulations and other information

Customer Reviews:

Officer's Guide Review.......2007-09-22

Excellent source of information, bit of a dry read though... definately a must have for all current/future AF officers.

On Being An Air Force Officer.......2004-09-13

I'll sheepishly admit that I'm not one for dry guidebooks, history texts and the like; they usually put me to sleep. However, I found the "Air Force Officer's Guide" fascinating. The book starts right off with issues of conduct, leadership, and responsibility, beautifully setting the tone for the rest of the material. This is almost certainly idealized to a certain extent, but that's rather the point, I think--this is meant as a guide of behavior to be aspired to.

There's information in here about professional development, training, education, health, fitness, promotion, and the officer evaluation system. I think this material gives a clear picture of what the author believes officers can do to best serve their country as well as themselves. The book stresses that officers must be willing to take every opportunity to advance their education, through personal efforts as well as structured training, and it gives many suggestions for how to go about this.

One of my favorite sections covers "The Air Force Way," delving into AF cultures and traditions and explaining the differences between military courtesies and customs of the service. There's a nifty section explaining all the little details of uniforms and insignia and how to wear them properly, including diagrams and drawings. There's even a section on social life in the AF, and the book discusses the general issue of the AF as a career, and the rights, privileges, and restrictions that go with it. I think the book does get rather dry as it moves onward into issues of pay, leave time, medical benefits, retirement, and so on, but then it would be a miracle if it didn't.

This is a handy multi-purpose book if you have any interest in the Air Force, whether or not you're actually a part of it. Its stated purpose is to help officers in their careers. I think it would be a great way for someone who's thinking of joining up to get a feel for whether or not it's their sort of thing. It's a good way for people to gain a new appreciation for the kind of work, dedication, and discipline it takes to be a part of the armed services. And it's fantastic reference material for a military buff, a writer doing research for a project, or even a roleplayer who wants to be able to get in the right mood (and design a realistic character) for a military-based roleplaying game.

Military Flight Aptitude Tests (CliffsTestPrep)

Average customer rating:

not good at all for AFAST
I hope yuo read these reviews before purchasing
Too many errors!!!
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not as good as the ARCO Military Flight Aptitude Test

Military Flight Aptitude Tests (CliffsTestPrep)
Fred N. Grayson
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 076454103X

Book Description

The CliffsTestPrep series offers full-length practice exams that simulate the real tests; proven test-taking strategies to increase your chances at doing well; and thorough review exercises to help fill in any knowledge gaps.

CliffsTestPrep Military Flight Aptitude Tests offers you a complete guide to test preparation to qualify to become a military aviator. All the military services need pilots and navigators, whether for fixed-wing planes or helicopters. This book offers an in-depth study guide and practice exams for the

Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)
Army Alternate Flight Aptitude Screening Test (AFAST)

This book details all the types of questions on all the exams. It includes a description of the questions you will encounter, an analysis of how to answer them to achieve the highest possible scores, and then offers you samples of each so that you’ll become familiar with the questions. You’ll dive deep into reviews on

Verbal skills
Mathematics
Mechanics
Science
Spatial relations
Aviation

With guidance from the CliffsTestPrep series, you'll feel at home in any standardized-test environment!

Customer Reviews:

not good at all for AFAST.......2007-09-07

If you are studying for the AFAST DO NOT use this book. The instrument and complex movement practice sections contain numerous grievous errors. The AFAST does not contain high level math test like this book indicates, but instead mechanical concepts. It is amazing that this book was published in this apparently unedited and misinformed state. The book the Army gave me to review 15 minutes prior to testing was way better. No one in my family will every buy a cliffs test prep book again for any reason. If someone fails the test because of this crappy book I hope they sue so it gets pulled from the shelves and other don't fall victim.

I hope yuo read these reviews before purchasing.......2007-08-28

Just like everyone else on here I am so pissed off. I will NEVER purchase another book from this publisher. I dont care if its the best book inthe world. Absolutely no excuse. They should refund everyones money and do a massive recall. This should be against the law. Im so pissed right now that all I can really think about is swear words. Thanks for absolutely &^%^%$# nothing.

Too many errors!!!.......2007-03-10

This, like any other study guide, is good to understand what will be on the test, and how to interperet information. However, the practice tests are filled with errors. One question will have a picture and the correct answer. A few questions later, the same exact picture, but a different answer. I bought it for the AFAST, and the "complex movements" section is worse. Again, good for understanding how it works, but terrible practice tests. Two same questions, two different answers...

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-02-15

In preparation for the Army AFAST test I bought this book and two other study guides - I'm so glad I got the other study guides because the CliffsTestPrep is FILLED with errors. In going through one section of a sample test there were two questions with more then one possible answer (i.e. answer A was identical to answer C), and one question with NO correct answer. These types of errors are filled throughout the book; whoever was the editor on this project did a horrible job!

Not as good as the ARCO Military Flight Aptitude Test.......2007-01-03

I got this book as a supplement to the ARCO book, to try to assist me in taking the ASTB. The Cliff book was just like all the other cliff notes I have ever bought, a brief summary, and nothing much else. I would not recommend this book to help you take the test. The ARCO had a much better bank of test questions. Its not like the test is hard, its just the CliffNotes book isnt really helpful in preperation

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