From breaking wild horses in Colorado to fighting the Red Baron’s squadrons in the skies over France, here in his own words is the true story of a forgotten American hero: the cowboy who became our first ace and the first pilot to fly the American colors over enemy lines. Growing up on a ranch in Sterling, Colorado, Frederick Libby mastered the cowboy arts of roping, punching cattle, and … cattle, and taming horses. As a young man he exercised his skills in the mountains and on the ranges of Arizona and New Mexico as well as the Colorado prairie. When World War I broke out, he found himself in Calgary, Alberta, and joined the Canadian army. In France, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as an “observer,” the gunner in a two-person biplane. Libby shot down an enemy plane on his first day in battle over the Somme, which was also the first day he flew in a plane or fired a machine gun. He went on to become a pilot. He fought against the legendary German aces Oswald Boelcke and Manfred von Richthofen, and became the first American to down five enemy planes. He won the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry in action.
Libby’s memoir of his cowboy days in the last years of the Old West evokes a real-life Cormac McCarthy novel. His description of World War I combines a rattling good account of the air war over France with captivating and sometimes poignant depictions of wartime London, the sorrow for friends lost in combat, and the courage and camaraderie of the Royal Flying Corps. Told in charming, straightforward vernacular, Horses Don’t Fly is an unforgettable piece of Americana.
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As a pilot I appreciated the accurate description of the aircraft and their employment. I think it was an honest portrayal of the times.
Enjoyable read. Different look at the war.
Great read with real history
I am a retired USAF pilot (28 years) and I recognized the rhythm of the squadron in his writing. He captured the feel of the morning brief and the excitement you feel as you advance the throttles for takeoff.
I like historical drama.
This guy lived an interesting life. Almost read like diary exerts at times.
My husband and I both read and loved this book. Loved the style of writing, honest and sincere. A great autobiography of sorts.
A facinating book about a wonderful true American hero. Modestly writtten autobiography with fun characters that the author lets you to know. A privilege to read and learn and be humbled to share the same world with.
Awesome story, a really determined and self assured man.
This is a wonderful autobiography; read it if you have any interest in WW1, horses, planes or people who live in difficult times & proceed to do amazing things. Written from the author’s point of view and in his words. Interesting for all veterans to see that treatment of veterans has not improved much through t he years….
A real look at life in the western US at the turn of the 20th century, and the writers experiences in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the First World War. Well written and interesting.
This guys cowboy exploits were as entertaining as his WW-1 flying experiences. What a good read.
A book about the early days of aerial warfare. I found it to be very enlightening. However it was a little wordy about his earlier life and a short on the war information.
A very interesting book and I learned imfo about WWI.
Fascinating story of both growing up as a cowboy at the turn of the century mixed with a story of wwI fighting and flying.
It was an interesting look at WWI and the pilots that served in it.
A well-written primary source document from the World War I period. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
A true account of the life of a cowboy at the time the wild west era was just ending, who became the first American fighter pilot ace during World War One. Written in his own words, very different from today’s prose. A glance into the thoughts and bravery of those who fought. This really happened, it is not fiction and it made me realize the sacrifices these men and women made so long ago. If nothing else read this to learn a little history and respect those who came before.
Writing style wasn’t as polished, but very realistic. Reminiscent of Will Rogers.
An original, witty and informative … highly entertaining and inspirational TRUE story.