Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

Well, what can I say, after reading Donald Millers fantastic 600+ page book titled "Eighth Air Force" (the American Bomber Crews in Britain), I couldnt wait to recieve this other book, again by Donald Miller, "Masters of the Air". What a dissapointment, its the same damm book, albeit a different title, same chapter headings, same photographs, same text etc; etc,
I felt cheated. Both books have the same year of publication but are sold under different titles.
That said, if you have not got either book, take your pick, if you are interested in this subject,you will find this an absolute Gem. It is very well written and researched and provides a very interesting insight into the workings of the wartime Eighth Airforce both operationaly, and behind the scenes.
From the beginning of their tour of duty in the UK, to the end, the book is filled with stories relating to the lowest and the highest ranking officers including recounts of the political and sometimes controversial descision making process that ultimately had an effect on the lives of thousands of people.
As a stand alone publication, it is a must, just dont be fooled into purchasing the other title thinking they are different books

This book is awesome.

It is awesome because of its balanced and thorough analysis of the air war that pulverized Germany, a war now sentimentally known as "the good war" when Americans pulverized their enemies with the ease of comic book heroes.

"'Tain't so, Magee." Comic book heroes never had such courage.

Instead, think of the 80 percent casualty rate of the US Eighth Air Force in its early years as book theory met killing reality in conditions that stagger modern imaginations. I've flown in a B-17; it is huge on the outside, inside it is a tiny tube filled with equipment, supplies and hundreds of sharp objects that hurt when you are bumped, slip or are thrown about. Think of riding inside your computer on a truck bouncing down a bumpy mountain road and having to write an A-plus story en route.

So much for creature comfort. Put it all in air colder than Antarctica. Paint a big star on the side as a target, then send it into the sky for hours at a time. Soldiers on the ground sheltered in foxholes and bunkers; the skin of a B-17 was beer-can-thin aluminum. The plane is like a vast Tinkertoy riveted into an amazingly strong and yet frightfully vulnerable structure. It is a mighty aircraft, yet thin enough that a pigeon could penetrate it and injure crewmen.

This is the reality of the bomber offensive. Miller presents it in awesome, chilling detail. Unlike most histories, it isn't a lone portrait of some brave men; instead, it includes chilling accounts from all. One account is of an American pilot flying with his elbows because his hands were blown off, another is of German children who roasted to death in their flaming cities.

He spares neither the folly of American planners who thought their aircraft and tactics would be invincible and quickly effective, and the terrible folly of Germans who had worse delusions. The air war was a battle in which neither side surrendered; both fought until only one was left flying.

Miller offers a convincing argument that victory in World War II was not inevitable, it was based on pure courage. No wonder World War II veterans are 'The Greatest Generation". Without their courage, far and above all expectations, orders or threats, the vast production of war material would have become a vast junkpile.

There are many great books about the air war. This one has an advantage over most if not all because it draws many disparate facts, threads, ideas, opinions and follies into a comprehensive portrait. It is awesome, because it is a story of awesome courage.