Rating: 
Summary: A comprehensive biography of one of America's best
Review: George Preddy is best known for two things: being the highest scoring Mustang ace and being killed in a tragic friendly fire incident on Christmas Day 1944. Much of what has been written about Preddy in the history books has been a re-hash of some commonly known information. However,'Top Mustang Ace' tells the full story. Though Joe Noah is George Preddy's cousin, he is an unbiased and dedicated historian. Many of the over 100 photos in the book have never been published before, including rare gun camera footage. The authors have done a thorough job; they interviewed many of Preddy's squadronmates and family, used official combat reports and even Preddy's diary entries to paint a portrait of the man behind the legend. Any WWII aviation buff would be impressed by the amount of work that went into this book.
Rating:
Summary: Important account of America's top P-51 Ace
Review: I first read this story because I was touched by the tragic circumstances of George Preddy's loss - dying by friendly fire on Christmas Day. Learning that George's younger brother Bill followed him into combat, also as a fighter pilot to be killed in action a few months later, made the story doubly sad, as evidenced by the photograph of their two marble crosses side by side in a cemetery in France. An important and well documented account of one of America's premier aces.
Rating: 
Summary: If interested in fighter planes and pilots, should read book
Review: I have read the book and have given or recommended to several persons, and several of these have given unsolicited postive comments about the book. The book tells about George and his brother growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina and first George learning to fly before WW II and doing some barnstorming in the area. After a two or three tries he enlisted in the Army and first went to Australia after flight training. He was shot down by a Japanese plane while there. Later he went to England and flew P-47's and later P-51's. Amoung other things, he flew escorts for B-17's and on one occasion saved a damaged B-17 plane and crew against seemingly overwhelming odds from German fighters. George was scored the highest number of victories of any pilot who flew p-51's. He was tragically killed during the Battle of the Bulge while hot on the tail of a German plane by friendly fire. His younger brother Bill also became a P-51 pilot and was also shot down over eastern Europe and later died.Paul Holt
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book about a man with whom I shared the sky.
Review: I knew George 'Ratsy' Preddy as a fellow-pilot in the 352nd Fighter Group--the Bluenosers. I saw him at briefings and in action, and quickly developed a tremendous respect for him as a dedicated pilot--calm on the ground, aggressive in the air. This book by Joe Noah and Sam Sox is not only a marvelous tribute to his courage and combat achievements, but a mirror of an outstanding person. He inspired those who flew with him. This book brought back many memories. As Editor/Historian of he 352nd FG Association, I recommend it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a tribute to two of the Greatest Generation.
Review: Joe Noah, a first cousin to the Preddy brothers, and friend Sam Sox, have done a magnificent job capturing the essence of the short lives and contributions of both brave and aggressive fighter pilots. The Preddy Memorial Foundation is honored to publish the third edition of this book. This is the first hard cover edition, and the dust cover makes this one stand out.
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Summary: Greatest P-51 Ace
Review: Mr. Noah and Mr. Sox have obviously done a great deal of research and put their hearts into this book. I have always had a fascination for the men and women that serverd during WWII and the planes, ships, and vehicles they used. This book is especially of interest to aviation buffs or those that like biographies. The WWII historical details are well blended with the story of George Preddy's life. I am especially partial to stories about the planes of WWII, and the P-51 most of all. I was impressed with the facts I found regarding the planes, their crews, and the missions. I was surprised how little I knew of the lifes of those serving during WWII. WWII movies are great, but this book will give you much more.
Rating:
Summary: An Ace's Fitting Biography
Review: Reviewer: John Edwards from United States February 29, 2000 These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done. These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.
Rating:
Summary: An Ace's Fitting Biography
Review: These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done. These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.
Rating:
Summary: An ace's fitting biography
Review: These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done. These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.
Rating:
Summary: This book is a must-read for all-especially young Americans
Review: This book is a great story. It typifies the American Family, and moreover, a relationship of two Brothers who both go off to fight in the war. These brothers , George, and William, go off to fight as did millions of others, and this story chronicles both of their lives in splendid detail and candor. When you finish this book you will be feeling woefully sad, feeling very proud to be an American, and ready to give your own Family and friends a group hug underneath the nearest American Flag...READ THIS BOOK...I can't explain it...you will not get the goose bumps by reading my review, but you will by reading Mr. Noahs book, which is a lasting and loving tribute to his Family...
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