Baa Baa Black Sheep

Rating:
Summary: FIRST IS ONE OF THE BEST
Review: I first read this book in sixth grade for a book report. It was the first book I read about War, etc. After 30 years or so, and Thousands of books later, I still consider it one of the best. Boyington was not afraid to be honest, even to the point that it made him look bad. I have read hundreds of vietnam books where the authors are so concerned about their image, that the words don't ring true. Not so here. While this is not the quintessential WWII book, it is a study in A hero to zero to redemption. I re-read it every 2 years or so. ps. the teacher was a WWII vet, appreciated that I read a boot about his war and gave me an A.

Rating:
Summary: ok book, not enough info on things around him
Review: I found myself rather disapointed because boyington spent most of the book describing his thoughts and fellings and life and not enough of what was going on around him. It was as if he was trying to make everyone feel sorry for him.

Rating:
Summary: A Facinating Book
Review: I found this book to be a fascinating historical look at the Pacific theater during World War II from the eyes of a marine combat pilot who experienced it first hand. Boyington was indeed in the thick of it during the war, and to his credit he shot down 28 Japanese planes during his time in combat. Once in a single mission, he shot down five planes over Japanese territory. This book is an auto-biography of his time before, during and after the war. It is quite an interesting read. I enjoyed the pilot's viewpoint this book carries from the cockpit of a Corsair during combat. Boyington was an incredibly adept pilot and taught the other pilots in his famous `Black Sheep Squadron' how to beat the Japanese in air combat. Boyington describes first hand aerial dogfights over the Pacific Islands that comprised well over 100 planes at a time with the skies glowing like fire flies filled with tracer fire, a truly remarkable period in aerial combat history. He portrays his experiences as a pilot and later as a 'Special Captive' instead of a prisoner of war, with finesse so as not to make it too heavy of a read, but it leaves the reader with a deep respect for the American service man. During his time in a Japanese prison of war camp, his courage was undaunted and he emerged as a true American hero receiving national recognition after the war was over having won the Navy Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor. This book is relayed by the author in a first person narrative, and is a sincere and down to earth account of his experiences. It is very interesting and enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: A Facinating Book
Review: I found this book to be a fascinating historical look at the Pacific theater during World War II from the eyes of a marine combat pilot who experienced it first hand. Boyington was indeed in the thick of it during the war, and to his credit he shot down 28 Japanese planes during his time in combat. Once in a single mission, he shot down five planes over Japanese territory. This book is an auto-biography of his time before, during and after the war. It is quite an interesting read. I enjoyed the pilot's viewpoint this book carries from the cockpit of a Corsair during combat. Boyington was an incredibly adept pilot and taught the other pilots in his famous 'Black Sheep Squadron' how to beat the Japanese in air combat. Boyington describes first hand aerial dogfights over the Pacific Islands that comprised well over 100 planes at a time with the skies glowing like fire flies filled with tracer fire, a truly remarkable period in aerial combat history. He portrays his experiences as a pilot and later as a 'Special Captive' instead of a prisoner of war, with finesse so as not to make it too heavy of a read, but it leaves the reader with a deep respect for the American service man. During his time in a Japanese prison of war camp, his courage was undaunted and he emerged as a true American hero receiving national recognition after the war was over having won the Navy Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor. This book is relayed by the author in a first person narrative, and is a sincere and down to earth account of his experiences. It is very interesting and enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: a womens point of view..
Review: I'm not a big military/plane history book reader but I found Pappy's book interesting enough to make it through within a few days of buying it.
I enjoyed hearing his view on things that were happening and of not reading so much the technical aspects of the war/planes.
There were times when I felt it needed something. Like a kick in the rear to get it going but decided that this was written by Pappy not Tom Clancy. This was his life, it was not "entertainment" to him.
He put himself down alot about his drinking which, to me seemed like he was trying to make amends with the reader about his problem. I ignored this and concentrated on the story. It had me wanting to hear more and I was never bored with it.
This book shows that heros can be great and still be human.
It showed that people we call enemies are human also.
I mostly liked that it's not blood and guts so I'd recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: In Pappy's own words.
Review: If you're a fan of "Black Sheep Squadron", a WWII: Pacific Theatre buff, or just like interesting stories, read this book. Lt. Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, a multiple Marine Ace and Congressional Medal of Honor Winner, wrote this book about his experiences just prior to, during and just after WWII. His adventures and misadventures make a good read. Some of what he describes may have been embelished, but I defy anyone to tell me which parts are true and which parts aren't. His descriptions of aerial combat, being shotdown and captured, as well as his time as a POW are riveting.

Rating:
Summary: In Pappy's own words.
Review: If you're a fan of "Black Sheep Squadron", a WWII: Pacific Theatre buff, or just like interesting stories, read this book. Lt. Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, a multiple Marine Ace and Congressional Medal of Honor Winner, wrote this book about his experiences just prior to, during and just after WWII. His adventures and misadventures make a good read. Some of what he describes may have been embelished, but I defy anyone to tell me which parts are true and which parts aren't. His descriptions of aerial combat, being shotdown and captured, as well as his time as a POW are riveting.

Rating:
Summary: Great for anyone interested in the real Black Sheep.
Review: Interesting, first person narrative, from Greg Boyington himself. No ghost writer involved. Full of personal anecdotes from his time with the AVG (Flying Tigers), VMF 214 (The Black Sheep), his time as a "Special Captive" (not a POW) of the Japanese (in my opinion the most interesting part of the book), his post-war fall from grace and descent in to acute alchoholism, and finally his redemption. Nothing politically correct about this one folks. Boyington calls them as he sees them. An absorbing first person account of an amazing time in human history. Shows that the Black Sheep weren't the collection of "screwballs & misfits" portrayed in the entertaining, yet highly fictionalized 70's TV show. Also the story of a man trying to make sense of his life. I have owned this one for over 20 years, and re-read it on a regular basis. It never gets boring. A man who's days of combat were over by the age of 31, was considered the 'old man' in his squadron, hence his famous nickname. I find it amazing that a 6 week or so period of time in this man's life defined if thereafter. Well worth having in any WW II buff's collection, or simply for fans of the TV show who are interested in learning a version closer to the truth, at least the truth as seen through the eyes of the man himself.

Rating:
Summary: A classic, but not a truthful one.
Review: Mr. Boyington wrote a great book, but to really know about his squadron, VMF-214, I suggest one to read " Black Sheep-The Definitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214", by Bruce Gamble. The facts quoted by Boyington are often misleading, with incorrect dates or which never took place at all. Much more time is expensed talking about his life as a prisoner in Japanese camps than eith his fellow Squadron mates. Boyington was a compulsive liar and a lousy Squadron commander on the ground, and his book reflects this. It is incoherent and inconsistent from beggining to end. I don't really know how someone may think it is "the best book on air wair in the Pacific" ...

Rating:
Summary: I Shot Down "Pappy"
Review: Ok, I'm not rating "Black Sheep One". I wish to introduce to you "Pappy" researchers the book: "Bye Bye Black Sheep" which was written by the Japanese World War II pilot Masajiro "Mike" Kawato -- who shot down "Pappy" Boyington. This 176-page book was published in 1978 (with at least 7 printings) independently by Mr. Kawato thru "Printing Dynamics Inc." of Phoenix, AZ; its Library of Congress code # is: 78-112803. Mr. Kawato shot down 25-30 U.S. aircraft (I just haven't gone through to count them all). He himself was shot down in early 1945 at sea, and was captured by the Austrailians after floating ashore. The book shows a photograph of Mike & Pappy happily posing together at a WWII veterans reunion dinner. (But Mr. Kawato said that Pappy didn't find much humor to Kawato's book title, a devilish play on Pappy's squadron's name: "Baa Baa Black Sheep.") Mr. Kawato describes his training in becoming a fighter pilot, details his various air battles, how he was shot down, how he was later employed by the Japanese Self-Defense Air Force, JAL, and how in 1976 be flew solo from Japan across the Pacific Ocean to Seattle. I met Mr. Kawato in 1995 in Seattle, where he said that he went to a vanity publisher -- which explains why there are different type sizes throughout the book. As Mr. Kawato spoke fair English, he wrote this book; but he should have asked an English speaker to have edited the book before publishing it -- just a little stilted English at times (but a lot better than my Japanese). A rare book written by a WWII Japanese air "ace", especially from the guy who shot down the U.S. Marines Corps' greatest air ace.