Forever Flying

Rating:
Summary: Great Stories, Moderate Book
Review: Bob Hoover has many great stories to tell from his more than fifty years of flying. Unfortunately, this book fails to bring these stories together in a organized, connected manner. The book was so uncohesive that I thought "Forever Flying" must have been written without a 'ghostwriter,' but that is not the case. I fear that the book will lack the amount of detail sought by pilots and others from the aviation field. At the same time, laypeople may not fully appreciate some of Hoover's stories without more background knowledge of the aircraft involved.

Rating:
Summary: Forever flying...forever in Yeager's shadow
Review: Bob Hoover is a great pilot, has led an exciting and great life, and has written a great book here. It would stand out even more if it weren't for a guy named "Yeager". As I read this book, I couldn't help but think, "Yeager did that too, and maybe a smidgen more".

Hoover's WWII experiences, and chances of becoming an ace, were cut short when he was shot down by a FW-190 and a high-deflection lucky shot. Were it not for this, surely he would have become an ace.

His POW stories are excellent and riveting, as is his ultimate escape. His observations of the Russian capturing of Berlin are moving, disturbing, and conveyed without any rose-colored glasses. His post-war test piloting is interesting too, but again, not quite Yeager-esque. I think Hoover senses this too, and I detect a slight competitveness with Yeager...and this makes the book really all that more interesting in it's insight.

If you're an airplane buff, then you should know about Hoover, and this book should be on your bookshelf.

Rating:
Summary: Highly entertaining if poorly written
Review: I found the book to be written very poorly and I believe Shaw was a ghost writer on this one interviewing Hoover and then turning the answers into first person accounts. It doesn't work. But the stories themselves more then make up for the 5th-grade level writing.

Hoover's life is one of the most charmed and exciting that I've ever read about. This man has faced death more times then I'd thought possible both as POV and test pilot. He is a true hero and modern aviation is sure to be in his debt forever.

Some of the stories depicted in this book defy imagination...

Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: R. A. "Bob" Hoover's life is an inspiration to me. What a hero! As a pilot, I wish I had the opportunity to fly the multitude of airplanes he was able to enjoy! If only I was able to fly as well as he! If you are an aviation fan - this is a MUST READ!