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violet97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
robbynjreeve's review
2.0
Genre(s): non-fiction, biography
Theme(s): WWII, military aviation
Award(s): Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History & Biography
Recommended for ages: 15+
Summary: This is the story of how a German air force pilot, Franz Stigler, saved the life of an American air force pilot, Charlie Brown. Both stories are shared in this biography and come together in the end.
Review: I don't enjoy non-fiction too much. There was a little too much detail and not enough story for me to really enjoy this book. But I really liked learning about a different part of World War II that I'm not familiar with. I'm embarrassed to admit it had never occurred to me that some of the soldiers on the German side of the war joined not because they supported the Nazi party, but because they were trying to protect their country and their families who lived there. I also didn't realize that a lot of what was happening with the Holocaust was not broadcast nationally and that not everyone really realized all the terrible things that were being done.
Recommended for fans of: Unbroken
If you loved this book then you should try.... Three Against Hitler
Theme(s): WWII, military aviation
Award(s): Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for History & Biography
Recommended for ages: 15+
Summary: This is the story of how a German air force pilot, Franz Stigler, saved the life of an American air force pilot, Charlie Brown. Both stories are shared in this biography and come together in the end.
Review: I don't enjoy non-fiction too much. There was a little too much detail and not enough story for me to really enjoy this book. But I really liked learning about a different part of World War II that I'm not familiar with. I'm embarrassed to admit it had never occurred to me that some of the soldiers on the German side of the war joined not because they supported the Nazi party, but because they were trying to protect their country and their families who lived there. I also didn't realize that a lot of what was happening with the Holocaust was not broadcast nationally and that not everyone really realized all the terrible things that were being done.
Recommended for fans of: Unbroken
If you loved this book then you should try.... Three Against Hitler
sara_toone's review
4.0
It was really cool to read a WWII book from the perspective of a German soldier. Overall, I Iiked the book, but I was also bored in a few parts. Absolutely loved the ending.
suebrownreads's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It is well written, and the reader is very good! I read a lot of WWII non-fiction, but never really anything written from the German perspective. Most of this book is about the life of the the German flier. It was hard to believe, but at times, I found myself rooting for the Germans. This flier was never a member of the Nazi party, and most young men didn't have a lot of choice about fighting for their country. I loved the story, and especially the ending.
rhonifoni's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
lauracatereads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
To be completely honest, I picked this book off the library shelf not truly knowing what it would be about. I understood the premise and was like ooh a great B-17 book, but did not realize it would almost entirely follow Franz’s journey through the war. And I’m so glad I didn’t realize this before I grabbed the book, because there may have been a small chance that I wouldn’t have read it, and I’m so thrilled that I did.
Wow. This book was such a riveting, informative, emotional story of two men who faced impossible odds & honor and faith guided them through it. I learned things I would’ve never know, and had viewpoints that I previously held challenged in a way I never would’ve considered.
What may be one of the craziest, most incredible war stories I’ve ever read or heard, I was riveted from the first page to the final page. Franz & Charlie’s story, but even more so their reconnection after dozens of years, is a testament to humanity & goodness & empathy.
Cannot recommend enough.
Wow. This book was such a riveting, informative, emotional story of two men who faced impossible odds & honor and faith guided them through it. I learned things I would’ve never know, and had viewpoints that I previously held challenged in a way I never would’ve considered.
What may be one of the craziest, most incredible war stories I’ve ever read or heard, I was riveted from the first page to the final page. Franz & Charlie’s story, but even more so their reconnection after dozens of years, is a testament to humanity & goodness & empathy.
Cannot recommend enough.
dtab62's review
5.0
One of the best books about the air war in Europe I've read. The incident that the book is titled after is only a small part of the story. Most of it is the story of a Luftwaffe pilot, Franz Stigler, and provides an excellent look inside the Luftwaffe from the point of view of the average pilot, opposed to the generals.
Charlie Brown is the American pilot who, through his chivalry,Stigler allowed to escape in his bashed and battered B-17. His story is recounted as well, though not as in-depth as Stigler's.
I can't imagine that anyone interested in history, military history, or aviation in general would not like this book. I highly recommend it.
Charlie Brown is the American pilot who, through his chivalry,Stigler allowed to escape in his bashed and battered B-17. His story is recounted as well, though not as in-depth as Stigler's.
I can't imagine that anyone interested in history, military history, or aviation in general would not like this book. I highly recommend it.