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Rating: 
Summary: A Hero For The Ages
Review: Clostermann is the picture of the warrior: Aggressive, intelligent, courageous, and humble. The story of his exploits as a Free French fighter pilot is a lesson to future generations of just who were the people who fought and won the air war during the Second World War. This is a classic for all times -- Buy it and read it to your kids...They'll thank you for it!
Rating:
Summary: A Hero For The Ages
Review: Clostermann is the picture of the warrior: Aggressive, intelligent, courageous, and humble. The story of his exploits as a Free French fighter pilot is a lesson to future generations of just who were the people who fought and won the air war during the Second World War. This is a classic for all times -- Buy it and read it to your kids...They'll thank you for it!
Rating:
Summary: The most vivid, captivating WWII flying book ever!
Review: I first read "The Big Show" when I was thirteen years old in Norway, 1969. The book was translated into Norwegian (Luftens Oerner), and I was absolutley captivated by the writing style, technical accuracy, and excitement. So much so, that I would read it over and over from cover to cover along with its companion book, "Flames in the Sky." The books were my father's: He bought them at a book sale in Oslo, Norway about 10 years after the war's end. Following the liberation of Norway, the RAF flew a victory air show over downtown Oslo with 4 Tempest fighters. One of those pilots was at this book sale 10 years later, signing his new books. The Norwegian version books I have are both signed by Pierre Clostermann. I still have these books proudly displayed in my bookcase: I read them again just last week, and they're just as exciting as ever. From the inspiration I received from these books, I went on to learn to fly, and have made a career out of aviation/aerospace as a result of the imagination that was sparked from reading these works. I'm now using some of the photos in the books, and descriptions in the books, to assist in the restoration of two ME109's. I now want so much for my own kids to read the books, too, but they don't read Norwegian. I do hope to find a set in English to compliment my original set!
Rating:
Summary: The most vivid, captivating WWII flying book ever!
Review: I first read "The Big Show" when I was thirteen years old in Norway, 1969. The book was translated into Norwegian (Luftens Oerner), and I was absolutley captivated by the writing style, technical accuracy, and excitement. So much so, that I would read it over and over from cover to cover along with its companion book, "Flames in the Sky." The books were my father's: He bought them at a book sale in Oslo, Norway about 10 years after the war's end. Following the liberation of Norway, the RAF flew a victory air show over downtown Oslo with 4 Tempest fighters. One of those pilots was at this book sale 10 years later, signing his new books. The Norwegian version books I have are both signed by Pierre Clostermann. I still have these books proudly displayed in my bookcase: I read them again just last week, and they're just as exciting as ever. From the inspiration I received from these books, I went on to learn to fly, and have made a career out of aviation/aerospace as a result of the imagination that was sparked from reading these works. I'm now using some of the photos in the books, and descriptions in the books, to assist in the restoration of two ME109's. I now want so much for my own kids to read the books, too, but they don't read Norwegian. I do hope to find a set in English to compliment my original set!
Rating:
Summary: "The greatest book on 39-45 Air War" (William Faulkner)
Review: I read the Big Show for the first time in French (the original edition) when I was a boy and still enjoy reading it today. Indeed, this book is not only a great account of a fighter ace's life in WWII, but also a literary masterpiece. Not only dogfights are depicted, but emotions and inner convictions of a free man too. No wonder W. Faulkner himself regarded this book as the greatest he had ever read on 39-45 Air War.As far as the gossip about Clostermann's so-called faked kills is concerned, it is the first time I have ever seen Clostermann's name drawn in the mud. Why the hell was he awarded the DFC with Bar, then the DSO (one of the highest BRITISH awards)? Why was he appointed WING Commander of an ELITE Wing? Only one thing need be said to brush these calomnious allegations aside: Clostermann fighted among BRITISH pilots and his 33 kills (not to mention his probable ones) were officially credited by the RAF on its own free will. Please do not blame him solely for not being an American or English national!
Rating:
Summary: You will smell gas, gunsmoke, vomit & burnt flesh -everytime
Review: I've read this book in french language, then in my own language - portuguese, for more than ten times. It remains the best I ever read in WW2 air battles. It's vivid descriptions, without empty heroism, is inspiring. Pena que não existam mais reedições tanto em português como em ingles. Mas vale a pena conquistá-lo em algum sebo. An estate of art in aerial literature.
Rating: 
Summary: AMAZING BOOK
Review: Literally speaking, this is the best book ever written by a WW II fighter pilot. THere's no question about that. It's emotional, fast-paced, everything in the right proportion. But CLostermann didn't shot down the 33 enemie planes he says he did. RAF's greatest French Ace was Jean Demozay. Clostermann never was recognized by this number (33) of aerial victories. He's very very behind Johnnie Johnson, Ginger Lacey, Beurling, Malan, Robert Stanford Tuck, Wade, Colin Gray, Frank Carey and others, regarding to aerial victories. But his courage and braveness are amazing, flying more than 400 sorties in Spitfires and Tempests. Fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: The Big Show
Review: The most inspiring book of the air battles of WW2. I was given this book by my Father in 1968 then aged nine. I have read it at least twice a year since then! I have Leo 25 Airborne but have never read Flames in the sky. The Big show also inspired me to learn to fly. When in the air I try to imagen the thoughts & feelings of the young fighter pilots of WW2.Be it in a Piper, Cessna, Yak 52 or Jet Provost, I am with them, this book gives the reader the closest insight of a brave, determined, yet scared man 'just doing his job' I once asked Stephen Grey of the Duxford based 'Fighter Colletion' what aircraft would you like, but can't have? "a Tempest V" he replied. He was also inspired.
Rating:
Summary: The best fighter-pilot's book I ever read
Review: The one characteristic that makes this book stand out above all others is its honesty. This is not a "gung ho" story that makes light of the awfulness of war. Clostermann made no secret of his fear, or the toll the experience took on his nerves, but he persevered. This bravery must have been evident to others, as evidenced by his rank at the war's end. This book belongs in the collection of anyone with an interest in flying or aerial warfare. It deserves a reprint.
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