I just finished reading James bradley’s second book, Flyboys. This is his second book and his first was Flag Of Our Fathers. I don’t know if any of you have read it, but I highly recommend it.
It is a very gripping and moving book that pays homage to the Pacific pilots. It also paints a pretty grim picture of the mindset of the Japanese during that time. How they treated their American and Chinese POW"s as well as their own people is very eye opening!
It gives accounts of actual pilots and their circumstances during the Pacific war with information just recently released to the ‘public’. I was very moved by this book and gained even more respect for our WWII veterans. Thought I would share…
You are right about the book I highly recommend to anyone who like WW2 Aviation History. Out of the pilots that jump out of there burning airplanes only one survived; George W Bush. Gumiflex
I agree. I have read it and have a greater apreciation of these men and what they did. Be warned ,this is not a book for the weak stomach. It can be quite graphic and descriptive at times.
The book also gives a good historical AND cultural perspective of the world at that time, as well as the build up to the war. As gruesome as it gets in parts, Mr. Bradley does a great job of keeping it a factual. In fact I think he does a great job to not point the finger at Japan, but rather explain the rational behind their behaviour.
Not only will it change how you look at today’s serviemen, but when you consider how George Bush was rescued…defended by straffing U.S. planes, picked up by a sub…I am downright awe-struck.
It made me hurry out and buy the Accurate Miniatures George H.W. Bush Avenger!
I read it, and I too highly recommend it. It gives a great perspective of the world not only during the WWII period but also the pacific region and touching on the Japanese empire from the mid-1800s up to the start of WWII. It can be very gruesome, but that’s history and I think Bradley did a great job of presenting it.
Now for my shameless plug: check out my pics of the George H.W. Bush Avenger just posted. Incidentally, I read the book while working on the Avenger.