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This book tells a story about events in the European air war during world war II. It will certainly appeal to people who are interested in that history. However, it also is a hugely fascinating story of the human side of events during that period that transcends war. The author tells how he started on the investigation for what was to become the book and was completely surprised by what he found. The reader will also find that the narrative is unexpected, but riveting. It is an easy read. Most enjoyable!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It would be difficult to recommend this excellent book too highly. I first read it as a book in my town's library. I liked it so much that I bought one, and recommend it to everyone I know that might - even remotely - be interested in reading it. It is a true page-turner. I hated to put it down for the night, and could not wait to pick it up again to see what would happen next. The focus is on the German Pilot, Franz Steigler, and covers his life from boyhood to his eventual death at age 92, with most of the coverage being during the war years. What emerges is a portrait of a very human man, someone we can easily relate to, someone who strongly believes in doing the best he can regardless of the situation. What also emerges is a man whose life is strongly influenced, even guided, by the 'higher call' of the title, that there is something - and ultimately Someone - beyond what we experience on this earth. Think or say what you will, there is a third major player in the story whose picture is not on the cover. The roughly 1/3 of the book devoted to the American pilot and crew is in much the same vein, though covering a smaller period of time. In the process we get glimpses of what life was like for the bomber crews who flew over Europe, a life so tough that they could go home if they made it past 25 missions. The book also has a lot of eye-opening revelations of life in Germany from 1933 to 1945, civilian and military, revelations that have me re-thinking my perceptions of the periond, the people involved, and what happened. Among other things. If your taste in 'war stories' is flag-waving rah-rah, beat the 'bad guys', this is not that kind of book. If you want something that is thoughtful, insightful, and thoroughly human and relateable to, pick it up and pass it on. It is well worth the trip.Read full review
An excellent, meticulously researched, and deeply thought-provoking work. What happens during the combatants' encounter, and the agonizing decision(s) veteran Bf-109 Luftwaffe ace Franz Stigler must make regarding the crippled B-17F Ye Olde Pub, is worth the price of the book. But it is more. One intriguing point made in the book notes that Luftwaffe pilots were not only usually not members of Hitler's National Socialist Party, but actually prohibited from joining it and actively resisted Nazi efforts to undermine the basic integrity of the Luftwaffe. Another related to Luftwaffe debate, as late as early to mid-1943, over how to attack USAAF B-17s in the most effective manner, including whether to attack them head-on. Yet Saburo Sakai's classic book "Samurai!" chronicles how Japanese Naval Air Force Zero fighter pilots developed an effective overhead pass against "F" model Flying Fortresses as early as Summer, 1942; it is extraordinary that despite the undisputed coordination between the two Axis powers and their superb intelligence services, if both accounts are correct then Luftwaffe pilots were unaware of the successes achieved by their Japanese counterparts nearly a year before -- and, eerily, the vertical downward spiral technique used by Stigler toward the end of the book while flying not just 109s but also Me-262s was exactly that practiced by Sakai against B-17s and B-25s before the U. S. invasion of Guadalcanal in August, 1942. There is still much left to be told of this tragic conflict. Otherwise, in all aspects WORTH THE READ.Read full review
I purchased this book as a potential gift for my son who is a WWII and military buff. I decided to read it because it is a personal approach rather than a technical approach to this war, since he is more into the technical weapons and war strategy. This book is amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone. The author spent 8 years gathering information and personally interviewed both pilots before their deaths. It gives an equal and nonjudgemental portrayal to both sides of the war. I can totally see why it was on the NY bestseller list!
This well written story takes you from Franz and Charlie's hometowns to the war torn skies of Europe and across several decades to a reunion on happier terms. I was once at an airshow in Minnesota and saw these two great men. When he was asked "why he didn't kill Charlie that day" Franz responded: "Many people have asked me that and tell them all the same thing - it is because I did not know him then as I do now!" After which with tears in his eyes he said I love you Charlie... Read the book and get to know these great men.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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