Rating: 
Summary: If Bradley's Father Were Alive, . . .
Review: I think he'd have few words for his son. And they wouldn't be kind words. After having read
"Flags of Our Fathers" and enjoying it immensely, I was expecting something of similar
flavor and feeling with Flyboys.(Disclosure: I've only read the first 10 chapters.) In a book that delves deeply into the background of Japanese and American fighting rather
than focusing on the Flyboys, speaks of the ill-formed ideologies of both countries (he
seems to lump all religions, particularly Christianity, into the same boat with those who
used religion as a cover to their demonic hatred), Bradley tries to speak to both sides of
the Pacific, but ends up winning no one over. He compares Japanese atrocities of war and
all of their barbaric conquests to those made by Americans (YES, there is some truth to
this), but then goes on and on in chapter 10 "Yellow Devils, White Devils" about how we
Americans are nothing like them. The patriotic language and tone in chapters 4, 7 and 8 (Billy Mitchell's prophesying, intro
to the Flyboys, and the Doolittle Raid) contrast sharply with the other of the first ten
chapters. So far, I am left wondering what the real message is. Are we Americans just like them? We
ALL knew about the slaughtering going on during WWII by American Soldiers, didn't we? We
are ALL guilty of the atrocities, or are at least lead to feel guilty. I do feel awful
about how we treated the Native Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, and any others who were "not
like us", but that doesn't mean that the Japanese were justified in THEIR torturing and
killing (and eating) of defenseless POWs. Our soldiers were just like theirs weren't they? The Marines that fought with Bradley's
father on Iwo were just like the Japanese. The men whose motto was "No Man Left Behind"
were the same as the men who killed themselves instead of surrendering. The same as the men
who killed their own wounded comrades so as not to divert resources from the fight. America is just like Japan, isn't it? Or maybe it's worse? I mean, Bradley even goes so far
as to allude to the idea that Abraham Lincoln was a white supremacist. (Uh, remember the
Civil War?) O.K, so we're just like them. We're all murderers, all guilty. But wait.
Chapter 10. We're nothing like them! Which is it? My only guess for why Bradley did this is that while wanting to tell the world what
happened to the Flyboys on Chichi Jimi, he did not want to offend those who had been so
helpful in contributing to the book, namely the Japanese (veterans) whose stories made the
book complete. I'm sure Bradley has made friendships with some of them over the past few
years. There's nothing wrong with that, but what about the perspective of the Flyboys? What
about the Marines on Iwo, Guadalcanal, and everywhere else? What about Bradley's father?
What about their perspective? My message is this. America is a land like no other. The 50 states of which it's comprised
are like no other country in the history of the world and, I can only guess, like no other
country will ever be. America's ends do not justify the means, but the means do not negate
the glorious freedom that we have as a whole. There is still hatred and killing and racism,
but that shouldn't diminish the good we can do and have done. I wish I could re-write some
of America's history. I wish we had been more understanding of differences. I wish we had
been more willing to forgive. But to say that America has no right to be angry over what
happened on December 7th, 1941 or to even elude to that idea, is a slap in the face to all
who so willing joined the cause, without compulsion, and sacrificed their yesterdays, so
that we could have our todays. If it had not been for them -- every single one of them --
we'd probably be reading this in Japanese. Or German. Or, more likely, not at all. I doubt there are many Americans who would gladly give up their citizenship in this country
for that of any other.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliantly Balanced Historical Tome!
Review: This book is a MUST READ for younger generations to understand where we've come from and where we are going in the world, especially the Middle East. If not for the extremely graphic content, this should be required reading for all high school students. For those Neanderthal reviewers who were disappointed that the book didn't fit their myopic worldview that the American military can do no wrong, there's always Soldier of Fortune magazine and John Wayne movies. I, for one, was quite pleasantly surprised that the book was not "Rah-Rah! U-S-A! U-S-A!", especially given the title. It is NOT PC - just very even-handed and captures the HUMANITY of war like no other books I've read by exposing the INHUMANITY from both sides.
Rating:
Summary: Not Politically Correct - It's HISTORY
Review: I am astounded at reviewers claiming this book to be ruined for its Politically Correct content. Bradley manages to do something that is rare in a history book - maintain perspective and balance. There is nothing PC about recounting the atrocities against civilians whether by Japanese or American hands. At no point does he try to equate them. Quite to the contrary, he makes it clear that the fire bombing of civilians in Japan was brought about by the proximity of workers and factories, that the atomic bomb *saved* lives, and that, by the numbers, the Japanese killed far more civilian non-combatants than did the Americans. Where he records American misdeeds, I believe he does so with the integrity of facts, not with some overarching political agenda. This is a book that manages to give you perspective and understanding about *why* things happened as they did. It is not
some left-wing screed or Chomskyesque attack on America (Chomsky doesn't write this well). Read this book for yourself - ignore the politically insecure who did not like it. A solid A+ book
Rating:
Summary: Scriptures from the World of the Politically Correct
Review: There should be a warning on this book that it was written by a religous fanatic. In this case it is the Church of the Politically Correct (is there a more dogmatic or intolerant church?). The first five chapters have nothing to do with WW2 but instead lays the basis for the atrocities of WW2 as being a consequence of the way white, Christian men treated the American Indian. (While the Church of the PC does not belive in evil, they do believe that something very close to it comes from white, Christian men.) By chapter 6, the story picks up a bit except for the continuous moral equivalence of "we were really bad too". For true believers, this book is essential dogma. For the rest of us, it is a task of seperating fact from scripture
Rating:
Summary: Cartoon history for dummies
Review: Childishly framed (the "Flyboys" is always capitalized as if they were a Marvel comic book team or something; President Roosevelt is "The Dutchman"), mind-numbingly padded with repetitive riffs on U.S./Japanese relations, and written in hyperventilating prose with curiously obsessive attention to gore, this is one of the most intelligence-insulting books on the Pacific war yet written. With selective attention to source material, Mr. Bradley cites wayward U.S. atrocities in the Philippines and portrays them as endemic and systematic, leaving his neat sense of moral equivalence intact. Any self-respecting WW2 vet should be outraged. The rest of us should save our money for authors who appreciate the complexity and nuance of history. It is unbelievable this is the same man who wrote Flags of our Fathers. Can it be?
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good read
Review: Lots of mixed reviews actually indicate that an author has written something good enough to attract attention and novel enough to draw flak from those who don't agree with the arguments or conclusions. The reviews below are surely a testament to this book's strengths and controversies, none of which, incidentally, bothered me in the slightest. I found this a thrilling and highly persuasive book. Well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: The Flyboys of Chichi Jima
Review: ¡ÈHonor, Self sacrifice and undaunting courage, James Bradley once again takes you back in time with this very compelling book about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of eight out of nine naval aviators that led bombing raids on the island of Chichi Jima! If you enjoyed his book Flags of our Fathers than you will enjoy this one!
I believe James Bradley¡Çs book titled, FLYBOYS, deserves five stars not only because it is a compelling book and that Mr. James Bradley writes about these nine aviators, but he also gives you his own personal feelings and a very in-depth explanation of the historical events that contributed to bringing two powerful nations to war.
Mr. Bradley tells the tale of the fates of eight naval aviators who were missing in action after partaking in raids on the Japanese Island of Chichi Jima. From George H.W. Bush former president of the United States to the other Aviators that never returned, the author goes to great lengths of uncovering the lives of these men prior to going to war.
From Commodore Perry¡Çs visit to Japan in 1853, to the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo of 1942, this book gives the reader a historical precursor to a war between two great nations.
This book will make the reader re-examine their preconceived ideas of World War II. It will make you realize there truly are no real winners in war, only survivors. Also, how the survivors are left to deal with the aftermath of war. He writes with pride, conviction and emotion to give the reader insight to what could have influenced the hearts and minds of the men on both sides, and what changes took place to change them from being ordinary American and Japanese citizens to becoming Naval Aviators and Japanese soldiers.
The author helps the reader to grasp the severity of war from both sides, and the prejudices that existed in both countries regarding one another. You¡Çll be given a very good perspective of what it was like to serve as a United States Naval Aviator as well as a soldier of Japan. The training, the hardships endured, the feeling of pride are all there.
Mr. Bradley however, goes beyond this story of these pilots. He gives the reader in depth insight to the nature of the soldiers on both sides of this conflict. He explains the differences in personal and general feelings of the people of these two opposing nations in this vast struggle of war in the Pacific. You get a sense of what was the Japanese definition of duty, honor, country and also the Americans view of this and how vastly different the two ideologies of these nations were. Also, how these different ideologies caused these two nations to lend credence to commit atrocities in the fighting of this war.
He extensively researched, visited, and interviewed friends and family of the missing pilots, along with former Japanese soldiers to uncover the mysterious demise of the missing men. He takes you a step further of focusing on the personal side of the survivors to gain an overall view of these events and experiences these men and women endured during this sad and very cruel time in history. He exposes both sides for what they were, how they fought and their treatment of not only soldiers, but also civilians and their very definition of the value of life.
In an amazing way this book will truly make you not only examine yourself and your own personal feelings but possibly re-examine war in general and the dark truths that war tends to hide.
On a personal note from reading this book, I understand the reason behind the thinking that ¡ÈSometimes things are better left unsaid and unbeknownst to a person¡É. For with knowledge of things comes pain. Amazingly over the past years after this Great War, we developed a friendship to unite with one another and live in peace from what we both endured.
Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking Book About War.
Review: If you are looking for a feel good American heroes book this is not it. "Flyboys" is a very worthwhile and thought provoking book. There are times when it causes the reader to feel uncomfortable as it describes large scale and individual atrocities including cannibalism and mass murder performed by the Japanese that are very distressing to read about. Many of the previous patriotic reviewers I believe found it difficult to face the descriptions of the small and large scale violent and destructive American behavior even though it was dwarfed by the Japanese behavior. The author remained remarkably non judgmental in his descriptions. He tries to put in context the violent behavior, although not to excuse it, by supplying relevant cutural and historic background. The book invites us to examine the contrast between war time and peacetime humanity. Which is really us? Is war time meanness just kept below the surface during times of peace? It reminds us that when hundreds of thousands of lives are lost, that these are the lives of valuable individuals whether American or others. It emphasizes the remarkable heroism and perhaps the naivete of our servicemen particularly our "Flyboys." They were heroes especially because they completely understood the risks they were taking and proceeded out of choice because they were needed. George Bush Sr., as one of them , is featured as a sensitive and lucky(to be alive)hero. The Japanese soldiers were brutalized by their officers and were required to follow orders without question. One gets concerned about group think and herd mentality. How independent are human beliefs and actions? Do we actually choose them or are we mostly a product of the society in which we were raised? We must intuitively know that it is wrong to bayonet a restrained man with a sharpened bamboo pole with the purpose of of causing pain, prior to beheading him while still alive, The officers who ordered this behavior earn our contempt. They force soldiers to carry out their orders as if they were slaves. The Japanese "Spirit Warrier" believed that all orders originated with their Emperor who they believed descended from the Sun Goddess. In a way they were following their faith. Is it right to unquestioningly follow a religious leader or a religious belief ie Jihad,or perhaps to believe that followers of our culture are more worthwhile than the followers of other cultures. We must have known as Americans in the 19th century that slavery was wrong and that women should have the right to vote but it took us a long time to correct these injustices. Were we not deserving of contempt for thoughtlessly following the group think? This is a history of WWII in the Pacific told mainly through a small group of people involved with the battle for the island of Chichi Jima by an author who is a truth seeking patriotic American whose father was incidentally a flag raiser at Iwo Jima. It raises our awareness of the horrors of war. It ends with some optimism and descriptions of forgiveness or at least understanding by memebers of both sides. There is even some real humanity displayed as Private Iwatake, who developed a personal relationshop with a subsequently beheaded cannibalized "Flyboy" named Warren Earl Vaughn, when phoned by the author, doing his research, answers the phone with, "Hello, this is Warren." He had changed his name to honor his dead prisoner.
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched, Well Written
Review: Perhaps this book is so riveting because it's true. Bradley has done an excellent job of putting together loose strings of information, from highly reliable sources, to create a truly remarkable view of World War II,and insights to the psyche of all wars.
Rating:
Summary: Flyboys
Review: Flyboys, by James Bradley, was the first book that I've read that showed a somewhat unbiased view towards the war effort. Instead of focusing only on the atrocities done by Japanese soldiers to American POWs and to Chinese POWs and civilians, he also included some of the historical moments that Americans might not be so proud of. Hearing the story told by both the Japanese and American sides was also beneficial. I could easily see how different the views of the Imperial and American Armies were just from reading about it from both sides. To be suicidal for ones country isn't something that I would hear as often in the United States because they could become Prisoners of War without having to worry about dishonor. The Japanese, on the other hand, would much rather kill themselves than ever be taken captive because that was just seen as unacceptable. After learning about each of the main flyboys and their backrounds, it was difficult to read to the end because I didn't want to hear how their lives came to tragic endings. Ironically, the only flyboy that was focused on who lived, later became President to the United States; George Bush. Overall, I thought the book was very interesting and one that anyone interested in WW2 should read.
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