THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: “Beautifully told.”—CNN • “A remarkable story…worth retelling and celebrating.”—USA Today • “Oh, it’s a good one!”—Fox News A “beautiful story of a brotherhood between enemies” emerges from the horrors of World War II in this New York Times bestseller by the author of Spearhead. December, 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. … Spearhead.
December, 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this, their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber’s tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler—and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger…
What happened next would defy imagination and later be called “the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II.”
The U.S. 8th Air Force would later classify what happened between them as “top secret.” It was an act that Franz could never mention for fear of facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search the world for each other, a last mission that could change their lives forever.
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One of the best I’ve ever read! I read this book about three or four years ago so I have to rely on my recollections…
THE NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER…
“December, 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown…. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler—and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger… ”
The sleek and deadly form of the German Fighter pulled up along side the severely damaged American B-17 and the pilot’s stomach dropped. If I recall, only their forward-firing 50 caliber machine guns still functioned… Why hadn’t he shot them down? He circled them inspecting their damages… What was he waiting for?
They were lost and their instrumentation and navigation gear was destroyed. The German Pilot signaled for them to follow him and surrender; Lieutenant Brown shook his head ‘No’. I think they were headed in the wrong direction and he shook his head and pointed them toward the coast. Then he accompanied them through the German Coastal Anti-Aircraft Defenses. The German Gun Crews must have thought he planned to shoot them down over open water but instead he pointed them toward England… It would take 40 years for them to find each other again.
Great war memoir from the perspective of both sides, the German fighter pilot and the American bomber pilot when they came face to face. The act of heroism of both pilots and the compassion of the German pilot toward his vanquished foe by escorting the bomber and crew safely out of the combat zone. A great story and a fascinating read. Blue skies and fair winds to you all.
I am a pilot, so reading this book was much like being in the cockpit, flying with them. For years I flew small single engine planes and an occasional twin. I was never a pilot during Vietnam, but if I had served, I likely would’ve been a helicopter pilot. If you are a pilot or if you just love the feel of flying, you will absolutely love this book. It is very well-written and one that I promise will stay with you for a very long time.
Redemption and forgiveness
The incredible story of a German pilot saving the life of an American pilot during World War II over Germany. They then find each other after the war.
This is one of the best stories ever. A true story of WWII never before told. The story covers the men and the sides they fought for to provide insight into their thoughts. Years later the book reunited these men for a great end
This is a truly remarkable story and very readable given the fact that it is non-fiction and happened more than 50 years ago. Adam Makos did a great job of relating the facts in a most readable way and making you care about the participants (who in this case are characters in the story.) I enjoyed this book very much. It reminded me that there are good people in the world who have a moral compass and listen to the still small voice to do the right thing, even when expectations dictate otherwise. It was truly a miracle that both men not only survived the war but were able to meet each other 46 years later and become friends.
It has always blown my mind me how difficult my Parent’s lives, and those of their peers, were. These people who were born during the Depression and grew up during World War II. Then came the Cold War and the Red Scare. The happiest part of their lives may have been the exuberance of the fifties. I mean, did they ever get to just hang out and enjoy being teenagers? Doubtful.
This story is of two Air Force pilots. A German pilot proficient in shooting down enemy planes, the American pilot on his first bombing mission. How they came to meet, how they never forget that moment, is the essence of this book, with back stories about each man. I never knew, for example, the German Air Force fought to defend Germany, not to defend the Nazis, whom they detested.
Each of their actions left a mark in the minds of the other. That they were able to find each other forty years later, meet, and see each other as brothers rather than former enemies is remarkable. An emotional story that shows humanity can be alive even at the worst of times. A five star experience.
The more I read of the actions of the Greatest Generation, the more I am in awe of and grateful for the sacrifices they made for the world’s freedom. This book is a wonderful recognition that the Greatest Generation wasn’t just American.
I rarely read historical novels but after sampling a few pages, I had to read it from beginning to end. I am so glad I did! Great description of the characters which the author describes their personalities, and strength of each character. A lot of details of planes, places, and characters personalities that a reader can visualize so well.
Very detailed about planes and WW2 but very good read for history buffs
It was a very interesting book of WW2 happenings. And the fact it was a true story made it even better
I can’t recommend this remarkable book enough. It is not just one of the best stories of WWII, it is one of the best stories in history. “Incredible” is so often used that it has lost much of its impact, but this story truly is.
The book is well-written and extremely well-researched. There’s not much I can add without tossing out a spoiler, but one thing I’ll mention pertains to the Nazis.
My expertise is in WWII intelligence (British, German, American), and in my two books (Into the Lions Mouth and CODE NAME: LISE), I make a point to show the reader that “German” and “Nazi” are not synonyms. Only 6-8 percent of Germans were Nazis according to British Intelligence (and noted in the SOE training manual), and to a man, the Abwehr (German military intelligence) DESPISED the Nazis. At one point, they even had a shootout with the S.D. (Nazi party intelligence). And the two top Abwehr leaders, Admiral Canaris and Gen. Oster, were executed by the Nazis for their part in the July 20, 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler.
So it came as no surprise when I read in this book that the Luftwaffe (other than Goering) also despised the Nazis. With both the Abwehr and the Luftwaffe–professional military men–honor and discipline were paramount (largely due to Prussian military heritage).
With that, I’ll just say: “Read this book. Then have your kids read it.”
It’s that good.
A most unusual episode from WWII is turned into an extensive book, perhaps a bit too long in spots, but overall I found it a good read. It presents the German side in a way that was new to me.
I was surprised at the compassion of the German pilot toward his enemy, but so happy to read this account of the two of them later becoming friends.
An amazing bit of WWII history.
True story about compassionate people.
Excellent, wonderful book!
The horrors of war mixed in with two enemy pilots and the one could have killed the others aboard the bomber but he let them go. True story. I loved this book. Read it some time ago so can’t be too detailed in my description but it was beautifully written and a great account of the lives of these men.
Brings history alive
Gave me new insights into how ordinary Germans viewed their participation in the war. Also found the aeronautics interesting.