Flyboys: A True Story of Courage

Great, well told story that few know about.... and but disturbing on several levels.

The book was referred to me by a retired Air Force pilot. Once I started reading it, I read it in just a couple days.

Highly recommend it to those with an interest in WW II and the brutality of war... any war.

A captivating book which tells a story of unimaginable horror while also giving historical context for the evils that men commit in war. The reader will learn much from this historical recounting of the fates of "the flyboys" and how those whose lives they touched (including the Japanese) were impacted by what transpired. Well researched and written - a must read for all those who want to truly understand the war in the Pacific in particular.

A great tribute to the flying men and their families during the incomprehensible period of WWII, but Bradley describes it so very well. And..a phenomenally balanced description of so many aspects of the War.

James Bradley can relay real life events like no other author. The detail he includes is always relevant, and puts the reader in a frame of mind to appreciate not only the events, but the feelings and emotions of the subjects. This is the 3rd James Bradley book I've read, and I have yet to be disappointed. The man is just a gifted author.

Thoroughly enjoyed the history & personal life stories, but frankly almost put the book down & not finish it due to the graphic nature. The description of the canibalism was excessive in my opinion. Otherwise I would have rated this five stars! Looking to read other Bradley books ... Sons of our Fathers, etc.

The author is very accurate - very readable book. Surprising and shocking facts. I had no idea about cannibalism in the Japanese ranks, and not out of starvation. However, the author inserts too much personal politics, that took some enjoyment away.

Bradley effectively documents Japanese atrocities, but shows virtually no understanding of the planes his "Flyboys" lived and died in. Corsairs, Helldivers, Avengers, Mitchells, and so on played vital roles in their crews' existence, each with its own combination of strengths and weaknesses. Bradley's aseptic descriptions of air combat fail to evoke these dynamic, visceral marriages of man and machine.
Ironically, SBD Dauntless dive bombers appearing in the beautiful photographs on the jacket and flyleaves are identified nowhere in the text and were apparently flown by none of the main characters in this book. The Dauntless dominated most of the crucial Pacific naval battles with its unique combination of range, maneuverability, and toughness, but was being supplanted by the faster (but clumsier and less forgiving) Helldiver by the time Chichi Jima was attacked.
Far better treatments of the Pacific air war exist.

Excellent compressive history of World War II in the Pacific theater, and the contribution in that effort by regular Americans. Worth the read if you want to understand the motives behind this is the wa Worth the read if you want to understand the war in the Pacific. Also, an extremely objective accounting of the actions of all parties.

Some of Bradley's content in this well written and well researched book has been described by some reviewers as being un/anti-American but I disagree totally. In reflecting on the history of war and colonialism in the world Bradley simply calls it as he sees it and has certainly made an exceptional effort here to give us some insight from the Japanese perspective from the mid 1800's to 1941. Tackling the task of trying to help others gain an understanding of Bushido and militarism in prewar Japan could not be a simple task but, in my humble opinion, Mr. Bradley has done an excellent job of it in this book. You won't be any less appalled by some of the actions of the WW2 era Japanese military but you will come away with a better understanding of how & why they occurred.

A good read for those interested in World War Two history of the pacific war. The political climate leading up to the Second World War is explored with the effects of colonialism on the part of Great Britain and the United states very illuminating. Acts of brutality are a product of war and many examples are discussed. All in all a very balanced and informative book .

A good read for those interested in World War Two history of the pacific war. The political climate leading up to the Second World War is explored with the effects of colonialism on the part of Great Britain and the United states very illuminating. Acts of brutality are a product of war and many examples are discussed. All in all a very balanced and informative book .

So much info not previously known!!! Not for the faint of heart....much detail some cannot take. Quite an eye opener. Really intensifies the APPRECIATION for ALL military service personnel. I served in Viet Nam and am ever so grateful I did not encounter such. I'm sure atrocities as these still occur.

Very confronting and interesting story of a not much told about part of the Pacific conflict during WW2 - even though it mentions the wartime actions of former President George Bush and was written by the same guy who wrote Flags of Our Father it still seems to have had very little exposure.

Amazing stories behind what we were all taught and thought led up to and determined outcomes of WWII. Inspiring, brutal and courageous all at once. The point of view that the airforce changed the course of the war and the future of the world is fascinating. This inspite of the other 2 branches of the military trying to bury the emerging airforce. Our freedom would be different today if FDR did not go against conventional military thinking. This is a book I will never forget.

I was surprised to learn about Chichi Jima (and that I had never heard of it before), and of how close President George H.W. Bush nearly didn't become so, and that President George W. Bush almost never came into being.

The book is filled with history and background many do not know. It is a graphic and powerful book that in places is hard to read but in everyword it holds a powerful word about the sacrifice of the FlyBoys!!

If one seeks to understand US Japanese relations from 1853 to 1945, this is the place to start.

More important it creates understanding even empathy for people even when they are doing really repugnant and stupid things.

This was a really good book. I enjoyed reading it. The audio CD's were for my daughter. The only problem was that I missed the info. that the CD's were an abridged version. Some text was missing, so it was difficult to always find your place in the book to match the audio. I think 2 important chapters were completely left out. That would have been helpful to know. Other than that, no problems. Very intense, serious subject matter.

This is a compelling read, well researched, and one of the most even-handed books on the Pacific Theater of WWII I have read. I was shocked more than once by the actions of our own leadership. This does not mean that I for a moment do not support the United States of America. I did and I do!

Nonetheless, we must always remember that men and women from warring nations do what military parties do to one another and that each nation's leadership brainwashes its military and citizens through its press by "wordsmithing." Consequently, we should remember that we (collectively as individuals and nations) can do better than the normative experiences developed in this significant book. Don't judge this book by the information on the first 100 or so pages of it content, but wait until you have read the last page to rest your unspent rage and blame with former president George H. W. Bush on site at Chichi Jima. Otherwise, hate will continue to guide our actions in past and future world events.

A sad commentary of men in war. The propaganda wage by both governments makes you sick. They used peoples lives like pawns on a chess board. Any survivor or this time in history has a different story to tell...I would love for him to write more about it.

My Dad was in the 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. He landed in the 5th wave ashore, on Iwo Jima. I served for 6 years in the Corps. So my background reading this book is a little more personal than some, not better - just more personal.

This book points out the spine and character of Americans, coming out of the Depression. Nothing too hard, nothing that they wouldn't do for their country. It also points out the cruelty of War and that other cultures (in this case the Japanese Empire) do not view human life as we do. Isn't this what is happening today with the Terrorists?

The book is well written with the same personal feelings that I have about the topic. Bradley's Dad served on Iwo (see Flags of Our Fathers, by James Bradley)another excellent book by Bradley.

This book is well worth reading. Once you start it you will not want to put it down.