“What an exciting, inspiring, and wonderfully-written book this is….Each page has lessons for today, and it is also a thrilling narrative to read.”—Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Steve Jobs The masterfully told story of the unlikely men who came together to make the Berlin Airlift one of the great military and humanitarian successes of American history.On the sixtieth … of American history.
On the sixtieth anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, Andrei Cherny tells a remarkable story with profound implications for the world today. In the tradition of the best narrative storytellers, he brings together newly unclassified documents, unpublished letters and diaries, and fresh primary interviews to tell the story of the ill-assorted group of castoffs and second-stringers who not only saved millions of desperate people from a dire threat but changed how the world viewed the United States, and set in motion the chain of events that would ultimately lead to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and to America’s victory in the Cold War.
On June 24, 1948, intent on furthering its domination of Europe, the Soviet Union cut off all access to West Berlin, prepared to starve the city into submission unless the Americans abandoned it. Soviet forces hugely outnumbered the Allies’, and most of America’s top officials considered the situation hopeless. But not all of them.
Harry Truman, an accidental president, derided by his own party; Lucius Clay, a frustrated general, denied a combat command and relegated to the home front; Bill Tunner, a logistics expert downsized to a desk job in a corner of the Pentagon; James Forrestal, a secretary of defense beginning to mentally unravel; Hal Halvorsen, a lovesick pilot who had served far from the conflict, flying transport missions in the backwater of a global war—together these unlikely men improvised and stumbled their way into a uniquely American combination of military and moral force unprecedented in its time.
This is the forgotten foundation tale of America in the modern world, the story of when Americans learned, for the first time, how to act at the summit of world power—a masterful and exciting work of historical narrative, and one with strong resonance for our time.
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This is a fascinating account of a critical historical event not often mentioned in history books. The writing is very detailed, so it was slow going as the players in the drama that was the blockade of Berlin were established, but I’m glad I kept reading. How can you not be curious about Candy Bombers?
Just finished reading the book “The Candy Bombers” If you like history this is a story of how the American’s stopped the Russian invasion of Europe after WWII and held fast against the blockade of Berlin. It’s a dynamic read that will introduce you to the heroes that stemmed the tied of communism by doing the impossible against tumultuous odds. It’s interesting how many of the political issues from 70 years ago still fester today.
I did not know how close we were to war with the Soviets in 1948.
A bit of history that everyone needs to read. A story of the aftermath of
WWII that very few people ever knew about.
Highly recomend this book regarding one of the most urgent airlifts in military history.
This is period of history missed in school and college. Very interesting way to fill in holes.
Well written and informative.
I had read bits and pieces about the Berlin Airlift as a young student in High School but this was the first full featured one for me. It offered a solid background of the process leading up to this successful venture by the WW II allies.
I found The Candy Bombers very interesting and informative. That period of history is what has led a to today.
An in depth look at key people who carried out end of war objectives in WWII Germany. The horrors of needless killing to preserve a lost cause. The Germans who feared Americans who demolished cities in a nights bombing raid. Then in stumbles a simple man, raised to do the right thing, be caring of others, who really wanted to fly combat missions. Relegated to the essential backwater of cargo plane piloting. Then he is flying material to besieged Berlin. I won’t go further for those who don’t know the details.
I met Gail Halvorsen decades ago. Heard him describe those fragile days when the Russian allies were bent on controlling Germany. A simple act, magnified by astonished approval of brilliant leaders who never would have thought of such a thing. I had wondered over the years if the comment accompanying a Gail Halvotsen’s story was overstated. Did he really prevent WWIII? Read the book and find your own conclusion. I no longer doubt.
I greatly admire these men and how compassionate they were to the people (children) of their former enemies. It feels good to know that there is such goodness in this world and they should be looked to as an example for all of us.
Amazing story of extraordinary people who faced the Russian threat, & made the world a safer place immediately following WWII
In-depth examination of the unknown authors and actors of the opening Scene of the Cold War. Great Read!
This book shares a magnificent true story, of how good overcame evil but, at a significant financial price. The reward was keeping millions of people free and safe, on this side of the iron curtain; people who did not have the capacity of defending themselves.
Just can’t get going with this book. More of a historical review of post WWII European politics than about flying and the Big Lift. First 1/3 of book is an excruciating detail of post war politics. So far nothing about flying. Not sure I can finish this one.
Great story about the Germans and the Americans heroes after ww2
An eye opening look a part of US history during which the US and Russia were in a daily stare down. Really shows what a great president Truman was. A humble man not afraid to act tough when it was needed. The candy bombers themselves were one of those strange foot notes in history which were very important. In this case it really helped to turn the Germans toward the West! loved the book.
Way too long. Didn’t get to the actual Berlin airlift until over halfway in to the book. Great detail, but more than necessary to tell the story in a compelling way. Too many tangents.
Very inspirational. I always carried cigarettes with me when I went into Berlin because all of the Berlinners looked soo emaciated, hungry and completely upbeat. The whole city of Berlin looked like an earthquake had torn the whole city apart. But what was so amazing was to see everyone of the people I saw were living in tunnels in what was left of the buildings and didn’t look angry at all. The medium of exchange was cigarettes. I don’t smoke but the Berlinners could exchange cigarettes for food and clothings. Most of all, they hated the Russians.
Never have read in the “military” genre before but I did enjoy this book. Very informative of the year or so after our bombings in Berlin. Lots of names to remember and really, at times it is a wonder we ever did what we did for the people of Berlin, what with all the indecisiveness of our government (no different than today) and those in power not caring about a starving people. But cooler and smarter heads did prevail and so it was a magnificent read about what used to constitute what America was all about. Language was good, only a few cuss words but a lot of different words I had to look up to find out what they meant. Good writing.