Aviation Books

Having served as a Lead B-17 Radar Navigator/Bombardier (Pathfinder) in the same outfit as Captain Alling, it brought back many memories of my tour in the 34th Bomb Group. I too served in the 4th Squadron on the Knockout Dropper, piloted by Jim Sain who was mentioned in this book. Many of the experiences of the author were similar to mine and I participated in several of the same missions. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in getting an exciting description of serving in a lead plane on many missions.

A matter of fact account of U.S. airraids over Germany in WWII. Not told with bravado or hyperbole, but just plain gripping accounts of hair-raising, almost suicidal bombing runs. You get a feel for conditions in the B-17, and the fear and trepidation the pilot (book's author) and his crew experienced, with the flight back to the States at the end of the European theatre one of the most nerve-wracking. I highly recommend this account, which is just one of several devoted to this part of the war.

Having been reading various WWII books this fall and winter, I rate this as one of the best. If you have any interest in what it was like to fight (and luckily survive) the US air war bombing offensive, grab this book today. You will not be disappointed.

A couple of days ago while I was in the middle of this book I mentioned I was reading it to a fellow across the table from me. He said: 'I flew in B-17's during the war.' He went on to say that he had been the radioman/dorsal gunner. I said something about the guys in this book flying 27 missions. He said that he had only flown seven.

I couldn't help but think that this was kind of puny compared to what these guys did. But then he went on.

On his seventh mission, somewhere over occupied France they were attacked and he was hit. Back in England he was hospitalized and told that it would be unlikely that he would ever walk again. He was still in the hospital when the plane went out on its 9th mission and didn't return.

I said that this sounded pretty rough.

'Everybody had it pretty rough in those days.'

This kind of 'aw shucks' attitude, from my lunch mate to the author of this book is why they are called 'The Greatest Generation.' Even though they would never admit it.

This is the story of one plane, one crew. It's told in a matter of fact way. Perhaps this is the only way that such a story can be told. Mr. Alling waited a lot of years to tell the story. Perhaps that too is the only way. Perhaps the time and the distance are necessary to get a realistic view. Thank you Mr. Alling for sharing the story.

Captain Chuck Alling masterfully recounts his experiences as pilot of the 34th Bomb Group's lead B17G bomber during the last two years of WW2. "A Mighty Fortress" should be required reading for every military officer and is a "must read" for anyone interested in the Mighty Eighth Army Air Force's operations against the Third Reich. As a retired officer and military historian myself, I believe "A Mighty Fortress" is most probably the most inspirational book about WW2 ever written.

Very engaging. Written so well you don't realize you're reading a book about the airline industry.

My Mom flew for Pan Am during the glorious 60's/beginning 70's and she was based in Berlin. As from my childhood on I was fascinated from Airlines/Aircrafts. So one day I thought that it would be nice to read more about 'the' american Airline my Mom worked for - and to learn a little bit more from the time which has passed. So I went into a bookstore and ordered this book. What shall I say - it was very impressive to read so many facts about the airline. I also questioned my mom and she told me that many things were the way as they are written in the book. The book is very easy to read (even for people that can't speak/read english that well) and written in a very interesting way. What I missed in the book is a map with all the destinations Pan Am was flying to on a regular base. It would also be interesting to know what happened to all the employees that stayed with Pan Am till the last day and so on. I can really recommend the book.

A nostalic look at one of the world's premier airlines. During my younger days, I flew Pan Am to several of its world wide destinations such as London, Frankfurt, West Berlin, Montivideo, Buenos Aires, Miami, and New York Kennedy. I always liked this airline because of its exotic destinations, but at that point the planes were really old.

The book is a great read detailing the early starting of Pan Am by Juan Trippe and others. It progresses with Trippe being a visionary in the fifties/sixties with the 707 and 747. These planes really revolutionized the way the public traveled. Along the way, the author tells the story of the Skygods, old flying boat pilots who flew their planes any way they wanted. Sometimes they crashed their planes, and after a series of accidents, Pan Am instituted safety procedures that resulted in the company becoming one of the safest. After Trippe retired,
Pan Am's CEOs became just plain bad, and flew the airline into the ground. The book does answer why Pan Am went Tango Uniform
(bankrupt). Some of the reasons detailed in the book:
1. Purchasing National Airlines at an inflated price and then
moving National's personnel up the pay level to Pan Am's
level.
2. Unfair advantages by foreign carriers for passengers
(landing rights, government assistance, and other fees).
3. No domestic network in the sixties and seventies, even
though the domestics were expanding with international
routes. This is where the Federal Government was
responsible by tying the hands of Pan Am.
4. Poor leadership

The last portion of the book details how Pan Am was sold piecemeal to satisfy the creditors, and then the failure in 1991 after the sale of the remaining European routes to Delta.

Gandt is a former pilot with Pan Am, and throughout the book, he details the fall of the Skygods. His story includes many personal ones which add interest to the story. Pan Am may not fly anymore, but it is not forgotten. This is a great read for anybody interested in the airline business.

Great book for aviation enthusiasts. Fascinating story of the demise of PanAm and the bad management decisions that led to the fall. Also full of stories and anecdotes about PanAm operations from the pilots viewpoint. Follows a group of newly hired pilots from the '60's until the end. I read this book in two days, could not put it down.

I am a pilot for American airlines and think this is a must read for anyone in the airline industry. If you think your company couldn't fold, you need to read what happened to Pan Am.

Its also an entertaining read. I highly recommend this book.

I rad this book 2 years ago. I found it fascinating as I always feard heights and flying (I mean, I used to sweat driving through a bridge). And I had to fly all the time for my job.
But I didn't want to post a review since the ones there were already compelling enough.
But here's my take. I am now a Private Pilot, I fly airplanes in the cockpit and I sleep when I am in the passenger seat.
It was hard, real hard. And I started the training few weeks after I finished the book.
It is a true story, as much as the book's one is fictional.
Thank you Captain Chance.

I had received the book "Wings of Discovery" as a gift from my Mother. Only my family and close friends knew about my intense fear of flying phobia. I have tried many things to overcome my fear, but nothing seemed to do the trick. I started to read "Wings of Discovery" with a half opened mind. I set it in my head that this book would not help me, but I would at least try. I had no idea just how big of an impact this book would have on my life. Once I started to read it however, I simply could not put it down. This 130 page paperback book by Captain Stacey L. Chance fascinated me to no end. It was a non stop journey of how Mark Thomas confronts and conquers his fear of flying. It is a fictional story, however there are many questions that fearful fliers have, that are answered factually. Captain Stacey L. Chance presents us with a quite entertaining and at times humorous story that truly helps people who have this dreadful fear. When I completed the book, I stared off in the distance and actually pictured myself flying my own plane. Now that is something that I would have NEVER EVER imagined myself doing before. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who has the same fear as me. I will read this book from time to time, but I will also read it again before I board my next flight, and take it with me on the plane. Not only was this book a gift from my Mother, but it was a gift from Captain Stacey. Thank you for giving me a gift that will last a lifetime.

Wings of Discovery, by Captain Stacey Chance is a perfect book for anyone who has any fears about flying. This book gives you reassuring facts in the form of a entertaining story. Compared to the books about flying that just give you the facts and nothing else, Wings of Discovery adds human emotion to the facts. This book is perfect for people who want to understand how airplanes can fly, airplanes and weather conditions, and so much more. Captain Chance has given people who are afraid to fly, and also people who just want to know more about aviation, a remarkable gift! It comes highly recommended from me!

from a very anxious flyer i can only recommend this book,it covers all my worries but manages to "calm" them down and made me realise its just my mind fanning my fears!!ive now flown to lanzarote and done a fear of flying course(i thought i was nervous)some people were wrecks!this also helped immensely.im even going to paris soon ,instead of taking the bus 12hrs versus 1.5hrs on plane.Buy this book and you wont be sorry.

Most of us have heard the saying, "There's nothing to fear, but fear itself." This rhetoric sounds good, but to actually put it to use is a completely different story. Fear can stop someone from experimenting with new activities, eating exotic foods, and traveling to foreign lands. But once you overcome the fear, you will most likely discover joy. This joy comes from the accomplishment of breaking the imaginary chains of thought which held you hostage.

Wings of Discovery helps to clip the chains of fear. The premise of the book is about overcoming the fear of flying. Although his father was a pilot, Mark succumbs to a horrendous phobia about flying. Then one day, he spots two ultralight planes having "fun" in the air. While the planes land, Mark tracks them in his car and introduces himself to the pilots. This marks the beginning of his adventure - pursing his passion, following his dream and conquering his fear.

Capt. Stacy L. Chance introduces the reader to a wealth of information about how the Federal Aviation Administration ensures the safety of aircraft. He also entertains by intermingling his vivid descriptions of the landscapes and scenery when his characters take flight. I felt as if I soared through the air, and watched as the coyote ran to keep up with the plane. For anyone really interested in learning to fly, I learned that airplane kits are available. I definitely recommend Wings of Discovery for anyone who wants to learn more about aviation, and to release any fears that hinder them from soaring to new dimensions.

I was stationed on Adak (NSGA) and was sitting on watch the day PD-02 went in the water. I recall the day very well. Later in my career, I flew over 300 missions in EP-3 and modified P-3 aircraft, most under the PARPRO program. Over the years I've wondered many times what happened on PD-02, but I figured I'd never find out. Then I saw that this book had been written. I snapped it up, and I couldn't put it down.

Skipper Jampoler did a simply superb job of describing the plane, the crew, the pre-mission activities, Adak, the North Pacific...you name it. This is an incredibly realistic book. I found myself being reminded of things that I'd long ago forgotten.

Also, weaving the story around the official Findings of Fact was a brilliant idea.

Well done!

A great read for all. Even better for us P-3 guys, gives great insight on many of the "why's" from emergency procedures. If you're not convinced E-handling a pitchlocked prop is a bad idea, you need to read this book.

Having flown in P-3s in the early 70's and knowing all too well the rigors that these crews faced, I found this book to be a very well written and accurate account of what can happen when things go terribly wrong. The details might get a bit daunting for persons without technical knowledge of this aircraft. For us "ex" P-3 types it is an interesting book and I read it in two sittings. It gives a great view into the world of P-3 aircrews and the proceedures that SAR crews use.

A must read for old seadogs like me!

I was a mechanic with VP-9 when PD-02 went down off of the coast of Russia and went on to become a flight engineer with the Golden Eagles and had the opportunity to fly with Ed Caylor on a number of occasions. I knew most of the crew members personally and most all of the other people mentioned in the book. I was very young when we lost 5 of our crew members in the Pacific and the event had a huge impact on me. The book is very accurate and well written. It's great reading for aviation buff's and a must read for anyone that was part of VP-9.

As the son of a Navy P-3 (and sea plane) pilot and former CO of VP-9, this book hit very close to home for me. The story is well-written and extremely emotional, at least to anyone who has ever had a loved one fly in harm's way. When you're a kid, and your Dad flies Navy planes for a living, you never really consider the risks and dangers. This true story demonstrates what these men faced on a daily basis and shows how their endless training and attention to detail was essential to their survival. You wouldn't expect a Navy flyer turned author to write a tear jerker, but that is certainly what Andy Jampoler has done, at least for me. Thinking back on all those flights, all those deployments, all those "close" calls with engine failure, and realizing that it could have been my family welcoming back a box instead of a father, there simply is no way not to shed a tear of both sorrow and thanks. The men of PD-2 were heroes in the traditional sense; they did their jobs in the face of incredible danger, some losing their lives in the process. But for me, what this book really shows is that tragedy doesn't make heroes. For every Jerry Grigsby, Ed Caylor and John Ball, there were thousands of other Navy officers and men who were just a much heroes. In this time of war, it's important to remember that.

This is more of an echo/chorus to the previous reviews. Thus, it is only helpful in the context of reading those first...

If you want technical information overload on U.S. WWII fighters this is the place to find it.

It would be nice to see other writers and publishers be as successful, as this book has, on similar subjects.

I second Dan Fords review in its entirety, except that I do not think the book either too big or heavy. I would have liked even more, at least the P 35A, P 36 and P 43. It is an incredible compilation of data. It is obviously not Mr. Deans fault that some of it is wrong, (e.g. If the data was right, the P-39 would have had enough climbing capacity to perform well over Guadalcanal in 1942.) It is too much to ask to expect him to tell us everything.

This is the best, most-amazing book on US WWII fighter aircraft that I have ever read, and I've read a lot of them. There are other good ones out there, but this one is very special. I didn't even know about it until it was mentioned by a fellow pilot in Aces High. I'm very glad for that chance method by which I learned of this fine work.

Make no mistake, this book isn't for military enthusiasts who want to know about the operational history of the planes mentioned and who shot down what with it, leave that to the hundreds of other books out there on the same subject. The purpose of this book is to give you a true in-depth and technical understanding of each of america's fighter aircraft.

This is a true technical resource book that is also fun to read and will educate you on the true handling characteristics of the aircraft contained in it. It constitutes more of a pilot-related information bible than anything else, this is the book to hit if you ever get lucky enough to be offered to fly a warbird, it also makes an excellent resource to those who want to create simulations or wargames.

In the end, military aviation buffs will find it extremely interesting, but this is truely a pilot's guidebook.

If you need info on how these planes worked, real detail, not the typical picture book fluff, in the average book, this is the book for you.

Nuts and bolts info you can really learn from.

A complete Day to Day timeline for each plane, pilots comments on everything from the cockpits to the ground handling and how good of a gun platform.

Info about all the systems and structures.

Simple the best, short of Warren Bodies Books on the P-38 and P-47.

Don't know the author, don't know the pilot. Simply an easy to read, very entertaining and informative book that, like day old lazagne, was much enjoyed even the second time around.

The book is an accurate account of an unusual pioneer. I knew Andy, back in 1952, and have ridden in the Wien Norseman, with Andy piloting. If there is any fault to be found with his story, it is that it is understated.
Typically reserved, his account does not linger on the incredible cold and loneliness that was his lot on many of his journeys. His willingness to go to the rescue of lost and injured miners and trappers, at great risk to his own life and safety, testify to his own character.
Andy, and the pilots of his time, benefitted from the experience of his friend and mentor, Noel Wien. The pilots of today fly the routes that Andy pioneered.
I recommend the book, "Arctic Bush Pilot" to any who hunger for a taste of how it used to be, in the remote Arctic Circle regions of Alaska.

Excellent book, fast shipping, great packaging. Thank you. Also I might add I received 3 more books from you which I was notified that they might arrive here by the 23rd, they arrived yesterday, the 12th. Super service. Thanks again.

I bought this book expecting it to read about Bush flying. There is a fair bit about bush flying however I was expecting a bit more.

The book is actually a biography of the authors experiences as a bush pilot in the Alaskan wilderness. As such it deals mostly with the authors experiences with the people and environment of northern Alaska. This was still very interesting and I enjoyed reading the book.

This is a FANTASTIC book!! I simply could not put it down!! I bought it on the day I departed on my 4th trip to Alaska...the flight passed so quickly as I read page after page!!

I read with great interest the section about Jules Thibedeau, my First Cousin who was a bush pilot from Barrow, AK in the 50's and 60's...his comments about Jules, "The Walking Pilot" brought back memories of the stories I heard as a child about my cousin who would fly anywhere, at anytime, to help anyone in Alaska...a guy who was truely a "tough-luck, no-money" pilot who cared more for the people he helped than he did his own well-being many times.

Anderson's comments came back to life for me during that trip as I visitied Barrow for the first time...only to have an 80+ year-old Eskimo woman tell me how my cousin had saved her son when he was young kid...Jules had flown out in a blizzard to bring her sick child back to Barrow...

Bravo to Mr. Anderson on a "must read" book!!

When it comes to a true iron horse for the USAF, then that honor goes to the KC-135, it's the kind of aircraft that made all those long range missions possible, wether you fly a fighter, a transport, or bomber, with a KC-135 you could always count on the tankers and the crews that flew them.
If you want to know the history of this fantastic jet, no home aircraft libray should be without this book, depending on the mission needing flown, from the "Plain Jane Tankers" and recon missions of the Raven RC-135's, this book has what you need to appericate what USAF did to fly.
For the aircraft buff like myself, this one book you ought to have!

This extraordinary book deserves a hardcover edition. The available paperback edition is very, very fragile. It's not a problem... but I think you should know that before opening it for the first time ! That being the case, this book is definitely a goldmine, especially for the enthusiast. So buy it, and ... take care of it !

I recently completed reading Dr. Hopkin's excellent book on an unbelievable aircraft. The only thing that the C-135 series of aircraft didn't do was air-to-air combat! The book is an exhaustive, highly-detailed history of every model of aircraft developed from the basic KC-135 Stratotanker, covering the development history of each mission type (tanker, transport, reconnaissance, etc.) and also each specific aircraft modified for its particular purpose. I flew on 3 different models of the RC-135 series for 3 years while in the Air Force and was amazed at how many previous reconnaissance variants preceeded the common types used today. I recommend this book for any military aviation buff, but also for anyone who was privileged to have been a crewmember on such a versatile aircraft over the last 40+ years. The many previously-unpublished photographs nicely compliment the very informative text.

I was a crew member on RC-135s for 7 years and when I saw this book I could not put it down. It gives excellent, well explained descriptions of each variant along with photos making it easy to follow and equally interesting. My compliments to Dr. Hopkins.

As a current aircrew member on the Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft, I am always looking for anything out there with the history of our airframes. This book is EXCELLENT. The data is accurate and even though you might think you have seen or heard of every variant of the 135 out there, after reading this book you'll soon discover there are a lot more. I highly recommend this book as the benchmark 135 book on the market

What a wonderful piece of work! The photographs are stunning and the narrative both informative and interesting. I recently read "From Sea to Shining Sea" a historical novel about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and enjoyed it very much. When I saw this book advertised, I knew it was a "must see". The foresight of Jefferson in purchasing the land West of the Mississippi River was a stroke of genius and is what made our nation the size it is today. This is the best coffeetable book I've ever seen and is one that will be read and enjoyed for years to come. Congratulations to the authors.....a beautiful and fantastic work of art. I've reviewed books for Heritage Books, Inc. of Baltimore, MD, for many years and enjoyed reviewing this one as well.

This is one of the best books I have seen and read in a very long time. The history of the Lewis & Clark Expedition comes alive within the pages of this book.
The ultimate beauty of the aerial shots of the landscape photographs takes your breath away. You are surprised at the untamed beauty of our vast country that most Americans seldom see. These photographs capture your heart and you are in awe at the challenge that the Corp of Discovery undertook and accomplished so many years ago.
The narrative keeps you fascinated with the various types of people the ground crew met while following the trail of Lewis & Clark. Through their eyes we are allowed to see how people today live and how their lives are shaped by the geography of the area.
This book is a feast for your eyes and a treasure trove of interesting facts. It is a book everyone interested in our country should see and read. Geographers, historians, and teachers should use this book in their classrooms.
The authors have done much more than journey in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark, they have touched the hearts of those who have read their book. My sincere congratulations to the authors for taking a 21st century aviation adventure and showing us the beauty of our country. This is a must have, must see and read book that you will return to time after time.

The photography in this book is really amazing! I have never seen so many different aspects of America done so well. I could almost feel like I was in the plane. I was interested in the book to learn more about Lewis and Clark. I found myself going back again and again to study the photos. A lovely book I like to leave out to look at again and again.

Two hundred years ago The Corps of Discovery set out to explore the uncharted West. To mark the bicentennial of this epic journey, Ron Lowery determined to retrace their trail from the air.

The Corps was led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Over a four year period this assignment took the Corps thousands of miles through flatlands, moutains, and rivers that no American had traveled before.

After studying the journals of Lewis and Clark, and doing extensive research studying the photographic possibilities and the topography of the proposed flight, Ron concluded it was feasible.

He recruited co-pilot and co-author, Mary Walker, and a ground crew of four to begin "Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America." The incredible photos Ron captured of the grandeur of America during their three month adventure are published in this book.

Ron's airplane the "Cloud Chaser" is an experimental aircraft made from a kit. It was originally designed for a National Geographic project in Africa's Congo. The design fit perfectly into Ron's plans for aerial photography.

Breath taking views, spectacular country, contrasts of colors, and a voyage of discovery are all word pictures that inadequately describe the photos displayed in the pages of this amazing book.

Mary Walker expresses an experience this way: "The air is cold and pure, and we are alone in this high realm of austere, timeless beauty. We stay as long as we dare...Ron wants to capture the backlit haze gathering in the valleys as the sun slips down. It's been a magical evening at the top of the world."

Whether your interest is in history, aviation, photography, travel, or adventure, you will enjoy your ride in Ron's "flying canoe."

Reviewed by Shaley Melchior for Reader Views (7/06)

It's not often a 'picture' book sticks with me for very long. Most photography books I read leave a mild impression that slides away very quickly. This book is more than simply a work of photography with a few words thrown in; it's truly a work of art. It's a piece of art that has left a lasting impression on me, and is a book I will enjoy for years to come.

In June 2003, a motley crew set off from St. Charles, Missouri with a mission: Photograph the route that Lewis and Clark famously took on the expedition to find the headwaters of the mighty Missouri River, and the Pacific Ocean. Ron Lowery and Mary Walker manned the ultra-light plane, the 'Cloud Chaser'. Ron's wife and son, Sue and Ryan, and the family dog, filed into the RV used for the adventure. They left from St. Charles on a 3 month, 14,000 mile adventure, and documented the resulting photographs and stories for the enjoyment of those of us who can only dream of such an adventure.

The photographs are stunning, and very well taken. No surprise, as Ron Lowery is a professional photographer, who works have been used by Kodak, IBM, CBS, Smith Kline Beecham, Telecom Italia and other corporations worldwide. A few pictures in particular stick with me. A photo of cherry orchards in various stages of development. It looks as if the orchard belongs in a model railroad, and it's an amazing photo. Another is a photo of cottonwoods in the early morning fog. The fog casts a haunting shadow over the ground, and it could never have been spotted from the ground. Haystack Rock along the Oregon coast. Cannon Beach, where Haystack Rock is located, has been one of my favorite spots for as long as I can remember, and the photo brings a new perspective to the ocean. The colors of the tossing waves along with the cragginess of the rock stand in stark contrast to the small Bed and Breakfasts along the coast line.

The writing is flawless as well. Mary Walker is also a highly experienced professional, who has worked as a chemist, founded a magazine, and is a private pilot. She brings life to the photos, the thousand words the photo tells. The book would be only a photo album, but with Mary's words, it becomes a piece of art.

The book is not all serious, either. One of my favorite experiences that were related in the book was a short piece by Mr. Lowery. He tells of a time he landed at a small airport where no one was in site. He spotted the lone caretaker fiddling with his running lawnmower. Mr. Lowery tapped the gentleman on the shoulder; the man jumped up, dropped his screwdriver and yelled "Please don't kill me!" Needless to say, the men got along well after they both recovered, Mr. Lowery from laughing, and the gentleman from fright. I'm still smiling at the remembrance of this!

All around, I feel this book reaches every goal Mr. Lowery and Ms. Walker set out to accomplish. It had gorgeous photography, excellent history and background descriptions, well written prose, and even a bit of humor infused into the mix. This is the one coffee table book you will keep at the top of your pile, to read and enjoy for years to come.

My Uncle Robby (Robert Franklin Coady) was a Skyraider pilot, mentioned in this book, in fact. George Marrett's book brought to life for me the bravery and sacrifice of my uncle, the author and the men they served with.

As a general aviation pilot myself, my heroes are the attack, close support and fighter-bomber pilots of A-1s, A-4s, F-105s, P-47s, Typhoons, etc. These guys had to fly/dive INTO (not over or around them) their targets in the face of AAA, SAMs, and small arms fire which was not a job regular jet jocks or most other fighter pilots wanted. This a book that I could not put down, finished it in one day and wanted more! Highly recommended if you want to see through the eyes of an A-1 pilot rescuing other downed pilots. It does seem that the Jollies got more of their share of appreciation than the Sandy and Spad pilots did simply because the A-1 pilots weren't the ones to actually pick them up and bring them back to base while the A-1s flew home to a different base. That just didn't seem fair considering the A-1s made the all the difference in clearing or suppresing enemy activity in the area so the Jollies could do their job. The author does seem to be confused as to who actually made the engines in A-1s he was flying - they were not Pratt and Whitney. They were all made by Wright and called the R-3350-26 series.

I am humbled and appreciate the sacrifice of these men who flew the sandys and jollys made during the secret war in Laos in the 60's. These men put their lives on the line every time they went out to rescue downed fliers in Laos. I first learned about the rescue mission of the A-1 from Stephen Count's book "Flight of the Intruder." And I am glad that someone who actually flew these planes wrote an account of their experiences in these strike and rescue missions.

Captain G.J. Marrett writes an informative and readable account of his experiences during the Vietnam conflict. I was surprised to read about the number of planes shot down. I guess this is a compliment to the tenacity of the NVA and the danger of flying these missions. Capt. Marrett flew 187 missions and throughout the book you learn of his dedication to his fellow warriors and his love for aviation and the A-1.

I have come to love the A-1 and the appreciate the amazing capability of this warplane. I would love to get a ride in a A-1E or A-1G but better yet to fly a A-1J. How about it, Captain?

Sock It to 'Em!

While I was aware that the A-1 Skyraider participated in rescues of downed pilots, I had never read of the use of the A-1 indepth until I read "Cheating Death". Since the A-1 was an old, piston-engine aircraft, it is often overlooked, especially when compared to the F-4, F-105 and B-52 and other jets. George Marrett gives long overdue recognition to the crucial role played by the A-1 and the rescue forces in what is often an overlooked, yet important, role during the Vietnam War.

I flew in the same squadron and on the same ship as one of the Navy pilots George and his fellow warriors risked their lives to rescue. It happened on our first day of combat in 1968 and we were all overwhelmed by seeing their dedication to getting him out over three long days. It was like a bad dream. Now, 37 years later, I get to read a gripping, first-person account of this rescue mission and others like it. I am awed and humbled by reading this book. This is the "real deal" folks! No laser-guided, standoff weapons here. Be warned, you will lose sleep for a few nights as you turn these pages well past the time normal people go to bed.

Perhaps you'd have to be intersted in flying to fully appreciate this book--There is lots and lots of intersting stuff about flying under adversse conditions. However, I was attracted to this book primarily because of my interst in the history of modern China, and the transition from rule by the Guomindang to the Communist Party.

As history, it is absolutely fascinating and very helpful. The story concerns CAT (Civil Air Transport), a small (at that time) airline started as a civilian business enterprise after World War II by General Claire Chennault, former commander of the Flying Tigers. The company was put together in Mainland China while Chiang Kai-Shek was still in charge. The airline manages to survive the Communist revolution by moving to Taiwan. The author flew for the airline throughout this period, and gives rich insight into the transition.

The book also gives a new insight into the problems of the French in Indochina, and some of the feelings of resentment toward a European country which was clearly intersted in preserving colonialism (with very large amounts of American money) rather than promoting freedom. One of the main characters of the story was killed flying supplies to the French at Dien Bien Phu after CAT became a front for the CIA in the early fifites.

This book would appeal most directly to flying buffs, and to those (like myself) who are intersted in finding alternative sources for the history of this very important period. The book is very readable, and contains a number of pictures, as well as many, many intersting anecdotes, and key historical information that cannot be obtained from other sources.

Claire Chennault's legend just keeps on growing. Here is a feast for readers who can't get enough of the man who led the Flying Tigers, the 14th Air Force, and the cargo line that became Air America.

Felix Smith isn't a historian. He's a pilot--a good one, since he survived 23 years with Civil Air Transport, organized to carry relief supplies around postwar China, only to become a paramilitary arm of Chiang Kai-shek's campaign against communism.

To our great good fortune, Smith also turns out to be a gifted reporter. Better than anyone else, he evokes the sights, smells, and sounds of China in 1945, along with an economy so weak that U.S. dollars were precious enough to be washed and ironed after use, and a government so depraved that it's a wonder it lasted until 1949.

China Pilot is a a wonderful book. It belongs on the shelf of every admirer of Chennault and his unorthodox air forces.

Felix Smith is a gifted writer, who is able to describe a scene or an incident with carefully selected, compact, beautiful prose. There are plenty of flying stories for the aviation enthusiast in this book, but the writing is never too technical to confuse the uninitiated. His story of China in turmoil, and a shoestring airline staffed with unusual characters, is compelling indeed, and is thoroughly recommended.

My one criticism is the lack of historical thread of the airline after its ejection from China. The book breaks down to a series of interesting anecdotes, but the background on how CAT evolved, how it acquired jets, how Smith himself transitioned to sophisticated jet transports, is missing. I found many of the later anecdotes, though well written and compelling, oddly out of context, and wondered how they fitted into the big picture. This wasn't helped by Smith's technique of sometimes mentioning a character, and only introducing him in later pages, which has you thumbing back through the book seeing if perhaps you'd missed a passage.

But these are small criticisms indeed, and the book is a very enjoyable read of a turbulent and, frankly, romantic era of aviation.

Having spent an appreciable amount of time in Asia myself, and being an admirer of the exploits of the famed Flying Tigers (AVG), I ordered four books at one time. I saved this book for last, since Mr. Smith was not an original member of the Flying Tigers. After reading, and enjoying the others, I began Mr. Smith's CHINA PILOT. I don't know what I thought I would get out of this book, but I loved it! Felix Smith was obviously one of the very best pilots working in an Asia in turmoil at that time. His narration of the many adventures he was involved in draw the reader right into the cockpit with him. I could SEE Earthquake Magoon! I could SMELL the warm night air through the open cockpit window while flying over some jungle in Vietnam or Laos. I wholeheartedly recommend this fine book to those interested in the Far East and the many roles the AVG-CAT-Air America played during those decades of turbulence. Mr. Smith, if you happen to read this: excellent job! Both on the book, and particularly your interesting life.

Mike McCaffrey
Department of State/Foreign Service - Retired

This book is about aviation during the pioneer days in Asia - before the days of navigational beacons and proper runway lighting. More importantly, and misleadingly from the title, it is probably one of the best "on the ground" histories of Air America's operations written from a pilot's point of view. It is written with heart, soul and compassion by a man who cared (and obviously still does) for his companions, both living and deceased, as well as the people in the places where he flew.

The stories, in civil aviation terms, are amazing and while some of them are terribly sad they keep alive the memory of many good men who would otherwise be forgotten. Aside from the narrative, this is a tremendously well written book, and one that if you love aviation and are interested in and care about Asia, you will not want to put down. If the Author, (Felix Smith) writes another book, I sincerely hope that he finds a ready publisher and many readers, as in this day and age this genre of literature and narrative quality of real life experience is truly rare.