The Blond Knight of Germany

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Summary: Emotions of German pilots on the Eastern Front
Review: A BRIEF NOTE: For anyone interested in learning more about how the German aces scored a gargantuan number of victories, this is the book. But that's not the main point. This book outstandingly expressed the right and human emotions of these German pilots, especially Erich Hartmann, on the Russian front. It tells the terror of losing the war (to the cruel Communist Soviets), of the ordeals men had to go through as a result of a defeat, but most of all, it tells the story of an emotionally strong man going through and defeating his fears and weaknesses, especially torture. Absolutely a must-read for anyone interested in learning about human emotions, especially those of the pilots on the losing side. However, you will find that parts of the book tries to explain the skills and abilities of Erich Hartmann to shoot down Soviet planes, but it mostly coincides about human emotions.

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Summary: Karaya one...
Review: A good biography, well written, historically accurate. I don't know how many are aware of this, but his 350+ victories were all accounted for by checking also the Soviet VVS loses reports.
The book present his childhood, first flights in a glider, a little about his training.
Next, his first fight in which he ends runing away from his "rotte" leader whom he thought was an enemy plane.
The book present the life and missions on the Eastern front, the retreat, his way of "ambushing" the enemy, which was a succes each time.
After the end of the war, he ends up being a POW in russian hands. I don't think the americans knew at that time who was Hartmann thus the ease with which he was given to the russians. Even the russian discovered later who he was.
The book presents in detail his life in "captivity". Here I want to rebuf the guy who wrote that the books is a anti-russian propaganda. Everything in this book is nothing but the truth. I can also add a lot of stories abou the soviet "eliberators", some told by my grand-fathers.
Anyway, back to the book. After captivity he finally rejoin his wife, rebuilds his life, becomes the comander of the first jet squadron of the West Germany.
If you are looking for an easy to read biography, real and to the point, this is the one.

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Summary: An accurate account of a man whose honor kept him alive!
Review: A great book for the Luftwaffe buff or anyone who wants to see that there where men of honor and chivalry during one of mankinds worst periods of barbarism.

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Summary: Very comprehensive story of the greatest fighter ace ever
Review: A very well written and true to life biography.
Replet with hostorical
Shows well the triumphs, the highs, the lows, and the almost impossibly strong bond between the man and his wife..
Evocative descriptions not only of Hartmann but other titans like Barkhorn, Krupinski...
Also shows very clearly how Hartmannwas not able to deal with a 'changed' atmosphere once he was back home after Russia.
That single failure makes his earlier other-worldly achievements all the more real and believable

Rating:
Summary: Blond Knight
Review: At the beginning of the book there is an excess of hero worship and accolades, even for an exceptional soldier, which made me wonder how much of the book I could believe. However, it then got better with the saga of Hartmann's air battles. His strategy was to spot the enemy first and surprise them, waiting to fire until very close, which typically resulted in catastrophic damage to the enemy plane. The second half of the book is about Hartmann's captivity, and is especially interesting. The description of the rape and murder of German civilians by the conquering Russian army was enlightening and serves as a warning to future generations. Hartmann was then a prisoner for 10 years, subject to psychotic mind games of the Russian NKVD. The authors give some interesting psychological analysis of the prison situation. It's a good read and thought provoking.

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Summary: An excellent read
Review: Erich Hartmann is one of the true heroes of WWII. As the highest scoring ace of WWII, and probably forever, he was one of the deadliest pilots the world has ever seen. His score of 352 kills, of which 345 were Soviet aircraft, is absolutely astronomical. Ironically, his war years are not as highly praised as the time he spent in Soviet prison camps. The Soviets were experts at making people crack through mental torture rather than physical torture. Eventually everyone cracked, except for Hartmann. He was thrown in a dark hole (called the "bunker") for days at a time, provided only with water. He once had a period of over six months in the bunker, yet he still refused to work for the Soviets. The sheer will power of Hartmann was enough to resist the torture thrown upon him. It just shows that if you try, you can conquer any barrier.

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Summary: Excellent personal story, yet could have been better.
Review: Having known Ray Toliver (one of the authors) as well as Erich Hartmann personally over the years, it is easy to understand why the book was not as forthcoming in certain areas. Erich's status as a Soviet POW for 10 and a half years had much to do with it. Erich's postwar life was also difficult upon repatriation. His outspokenness in the upper ranks of the Bundesluftwaffe and NATO limited his career, which is not covered in the early edition. However, given this, the biography is a good insight into a young man who performed at the highest level, fighting for his nation, and never abandoning his comrades. This was the reason for his being handed over to the Soviets by his American captors. Hartmann was not only a great pilot, but a great man, who always voiced his dissent, never compromising.

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Summary: The Best War Biography I Have Ever Read
Review: I have read this book three times over the last twenty years and it has been just as exciting each time. It is not a war book. It is a book about Erich Hartmann at war. I don't agree that we should discount his 352 kills just because it was against the Russians. That is the typical American ego at work. Hartmann fought the Americans over the Ploesti Oil Fields and shot down FIVE P-51 Mustangs in one day. What more proof do we need of his flying gifts? The Author is an American Airforce officer. I am sure the accounts are accurate. What a story!!!

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Summary: A hero's story
Review: If you read this type of book, this is a must. I know that many Americans tend to discount kills in the east (Despite the imprssive record of Russian pilots in Korea). But included in Hartman's tally are 5 Mustangs in one day. And unlike Rudel (Who's "Stuka Pilot" is also a great book), Hartman comes across as the boy next door type. I Know it sounds corny, but he'd be great material for a movie if he were on our side.

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Summary: Inspiring
Review: It is unfortunate that Hartmann's achievements are underplayed because he flew against the Soviets: 352 aerial victories, never lost a wingman, survived 10 years in a Soviet prison camp, and created the West German Air Force's first all-jet wing. 'Nuff said.