A Mighty Fortress: Lead Bomber over Europe

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Summary: Capturing the Essence of "The Greatest Generation"
Review: A quick--because it's so engrossing--and arresting read. Any airman who has flown in combat since will find Alling's honest and homespun thoughts, feelings and experience about what he and his crew were about similar to his own. Although human nature doesn't change, technology surely does. As a veteran of the air war over Vietnam, my experience dodging SAMs in an F-4, as harrowing as it was, seems almost trivial compared with the German air defenses Alling and his crew encountered day after day on their bombing runs. It made me appreciate him and indeed, "the greatest generation," more than ever. With this book, Alling continues to make valuable contributions to his country.

Rating:
Summary: The ultimate triumph of "the greatest generation"
Review: Candidly written by Charles Alling (a pilot of the 8th Air Force and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters during World War II), A Mighty Fortress: Lead Bomber Over Europe is a personal memoir of the final months of World War II when Alling was flying B-17s in combat over Germany. Harrowing danger, the heroic and strenuous efforts of a coordinated flight crew, the horrors of war, and the ultimate triumph of "the greatest generation" fill this captivating autobiography from beginning to end. A Mighty Fortress is highly recommended reading and a welcome addition to the growing Military History library of World War II eye-witness memoirs and autobiographies.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling chronicle of World War II aviation
Review: Charles Alling has provided us with a unique and totally human view of strength, courage, discipline and compassion. From the first pages we see the depth of character and leadership that so many young men and women were forced to develop in the opening chapters of WWII. I was moved to tears by the poignancy of the delivery, and was fascinated by the extraordinary will, skill and good luck that the crew of the Miss Prudy experienced, while calmly following orders and putting themselves in great peril. A strong sense of spirituality permeates Mr. Alling's prose, as well as devotion to country and to his loved ones. The successful completion of 27 missions over enemy territory, most of which are chronicled, was in itself a huge achievement, and the reader is put directly into the cockpit of a B-17. If you have read Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation," you will see in Alling, his crew and colleagues other examples of sheer greatness. The book is easily read, very hard to put down. (I read it in about four hours) The descriptions put "living color" into impressions which had been, for me, black and white. These guys had, to borrow a phrase, "True Grit."

Rating:
Summary: Puts you in the cockpit and in their minds
Review: Having been reading various WWII books this fall and winter, I rate this as one of the best. If you have any interest in what it was like to fight (and luckily survive) the US air war bombing offensive, grab this book today. You will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A Mighty Fortress
Review: It has been my privilege to have personally known for the last 25 years, the bombardier on this plane, Bill Wright. It was a joy and a thrill to read of the previously unknown heroics of Bill and his crew. The world has been blessed that these men were spared the plight of so many of their comrades. Bill, and I am sure others mentioned in this book, have lived exemplary lives and have positively influenced so many young men and women. Their miraculous survival, so vividly described in this masterpiece, is only surpassed with what God has allowed these men to do with their spared lives. Knowing this should only add to your enjoyment of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Man of Integrity
Review: It has been my privilege to have personally known for the last 25 years, the bombardier on this plane, Bill Wright. It was a joy and a thrill to read of the previously unknown heroics of Bill and his crew. The world has been blessed that these men were spared the plight of so many of their comrades. Bill, and I am sure others mentioned in this book, have lived exemplary lives and have positively influenced so many young men and women. Their miraculous survival, so vividly described in this masterpiece, is only surpassed with what God has allowed these men to do with their spared lives. Knowing this should only add to your enjoyment of this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Mighty Fortress
Review: Not just for men. Women will enjoy it as well.
Great!

Rating:
Summary: A Mighty Fortress is a mighty good book!
Review: Very much worth reading - Charles Alling's A Mighty Fortress gives us unique insights about leadership and bravery during the latter half of World War 2, and how a young lad was thrust into the epicenter of some of the toughest and most dangerous bombing missions flown over Germany. Thoughtul, sensitive, poignant, and very real history.