| Big Show by Pierre Clostermann (Article #433 Page 1) |
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Book
The Big Show
Author : Pierre Clostermann
Pages : 345
Photos : 34
Published : 1951; new unabridged version 2004
This is arguably the best biography and story of a pilot in WW2.
Pierre Clostermann balances narration and description to give a full insight
into this period , the pilots, aircraft and missions they flew.
With such an action packed career it takes only 28 pages to arrive at Biggin
Hill ,just after the Battle of Britain, and from then on Pierre Closterman
takes the reader through the highs and lows of fighter sweeps over France in
Spitfires and then ground support missions in Tempests. In all nearly 400
missions including over 30 kills.
Pierre faithfully kept a diary throughout his career and the book has an
intimacy that really grabs the reader.
He was studying for a degree in aeronautical engineering in America when war
broke out and so is able to bring a fine engineering and analytical
viewpoint to the aircraft he flew, and fought, however at no time does this
get dry or boring; rather it offers added insight into his story.
This book really opened my eyes to the scale of loss of RAF pilots at the
latter part of the war who flew Typhoons and Tempests in ground support
missions and against the remaining pilots in the Luftwaffe. And especially
to the bravery and courage all pilots must have had to show in the face of
continuing losses and death of comrades.
A well balanced viewpoint and strong narration makes this a strong
recommendation. |
|
By Dieg777 -
Amazon US -
Amazon UK |
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| Author | Submissions |
| Date & Time | 25-07-2007 00:00 |
comments
| vtrelut - 20-08-2007 09:35 |
|
Hello Dieg777,
You are absolutely right! This book is a must read for any WWII aircraft enthusiast. I have rarely read so thrilling and intense air combat stories.
The fate of Pierre Clostermann is also unusual: after all, he was a mere lieutenant in the French army, but he finished the war in the RAF in May 1945 as acting Wing Co of the 122nd RAF Tempest wing, taking this job as an interim position in the absence of Ewan Mackie, the official Wing Co, who was not available at that time.
His account of pilot fraternity, whether German, French, American or British is also quite revealing: especially when he mentions the sadness in his RAF group upon the announcement of the death of Walter NOWOTNY, or when he welcomes a German ace in May 1945, landing with his Me-262 at his base to flee from the Soviets.
One of the greatest books about WWII, indeed! |
| Wildcat_drvr - 08-10-2008 05:28 |
|
I had this book years ago(over 20) and then stupidly loaned it to a "friend". He claimed it was stolen  It was an author-signed first edition that my Grandma gave me when I started taking flying lessons.  Rich |
| crucislancer - 08-12-2008 22:55 |
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| Not much else to say except that it's a fantastic book. |
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(20/4) 
