Book Recommendation

[Baldie88]

I just finished reading "Flyboys" by James Bradley. His first book, "Flag of Our Fathers" is about the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. The author's father was one of these Marines.

In his second book he follows 8 "flyboys" who's mission was to attack Chichi Jima, an island near Iwo. This island was the communications center for the Japanese in the Pacific. These guys did not all fly on the same mission but all but one died there. The book describes their life and how they were treated by the Japanese. The only person to survive was George Bush, the first. The book does not speak of him much however.

While I found some parts kind of dry, once I got past the first 100 pages or so I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The first part deals largely on the Japanese history and how they came to attack America at Pearl Harbor.

I don't want to give anything away but I am amazed at the brutality, beheadings and cannibalism described in the book. I also didn't realize how the decision was reached in dropping the atomic bomb or how much destruction the fire-bombing of Tokyo did. I also didn't understand how or why some of the Japanese leaders responsible for the war were not prosecuted but lower ranking people were hung. The book goes into detail in all these decisions.

The author devoted almost 100 pages at the end of the book to fully document the notes and sources for all his information. It's not a work of fiction.

I think it's a must read for every veteran and American. We owe a lot to those now old men who had to grow up before their time.


Ron
"Baldie88"

[DRTH VTR]

Originally Posted by Baldie88

I just finished reading "Flyboys" by James Bradley. His first book, "Flag of Our Fathers" is about the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. The author's father was one of these Marines.

In his second book he follows 8 "flyboys" who's mission was to attack Chichi Jima, an island near Iwo. This island was the communications center for the Japanese in the Pacific. These guys did not all fly on the same mission but all but one died there. The book describes their life and how they were treated by the Japanese. The only person to survive was George Bush, the first. The book does not speak of him much however.

While I found some parts kind of dry, once I got past the first 100 pages or so I was hooked and couldn't put it down. The first part deals largely on the Japanese history and how they came to attack America at Pearl Harbor.

I don't want to give anything away but I am amazed at the brutality, beheadings and cannibalism described in the book. I also didn't realize how the decision was reached in dropping the atomic bomb or how much destruction the fire-bombing of Tokyo did. I also didn't understand how or why some of the Japanese leaders responsible for the war were not prosecuted but lower ranking people were hung. The book goes into detail in all these decisions.

The author devoted almost 100 pages at the end of the book to fully document the notes and sources for all his information. It's not a work of fiction.

I think it's a must read for every veteran and American. We owe a lot to those now old men who had to grow up before their time.


Ron
"Baldie88"

Flyboys was a very good read. George H W Bush missed being one of them by a very narrow margin.

[65-to-00]

If you like aviation reads, Fate Is The Hunter, by Ernest K. Gann is a favorite of mine.

It is a mix of early days of commercial flying and takes you into WWII flying "The Hump".

It is Gann's book about his experiences .... real stuff.

[67HEAVEN]

The Japanese military was ruthless and extremely determined to have their way, in spite of the human cost.

My knowledge is more to do with how British and Canadian prisoners were treated by them, and it's not a pleasant story.

I continue to be amazed at how many Japanese cars people buy.......but I know, I know..........my memory is too long.