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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Could not put it down. Never knew the code of honor that many German pilots lived by. The story itself I found fascinating. I definitely recommend this book.
well written, amazing story!
An exhilarating story about two very different heroes on opposite sides during WWII and how courage and strong moral principles can endure.
The ethics that these and other pilots showed even though they were enemies.
It wasn’t the men in the planes that were the bad men…to me it was always the
country leaders who were out of bounds and grasping for more.
Should be required reading in every high school. An enlightening, needed, and much welcomed perspective on WW2.
Well written. A side of wwii that invest knew about. The German fighter side of the war was so intetesting. This book is so informative.
Tells both sides of the story
Charlie Brown a WW II bomber pilot and Franz Stigler a German fighter pilot cross paths during their time serving their countries. Charlie Brown’s plane was shot and crippled badly. When Stigler went to finish the plane off something stopped him. Instead he escorted the plane to the sea. The story is true and the author gives both sides of the story. You will gain a new understanding of what these men went through doing what they were ordered to do.
Good book about a real event. Lots to learn – ages of crews – captain 20 yrs old 50% mortality – incredible. Purely voluntary – flyers could walk away. Too much time spent on life of German pilot.
It made me realize that not all Germans were evil…..just the SS men and Hitler’s henchmen. It also gave me a different perspective on WWII. A lot of those German men were fighting in the war because they were made to, not because they wanted to.
Must read for people that like ww2 stories.
Amazing story of two pilots on opposite sides of the war.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It throws an entirely different light on a lot of the German combatants involved during WWII.
What a great story, what a great book. This is all about the honor and respect between warriors.
Love to learn about history from the pages of a novel how inspiring great writing
The author spends a great deal of time building a profile of the characters and that part is somewhat tedious, until you get to the action and can then identify with the characters you have come to know.
Amazing story, interesting historical perspective, positive overall outcome.
This was one of the most interesting and awe inspiring books I ever read! I learned so much about WWII and fighter pilots. I wish I could have met Franz and Charlie, although I did watch their video on the author’s web page.
Good reading. Informative
It’s not a bad book but It is not one of my favorites.