Wings over Persia

Rating:
Summary: Minnesota Avition Hall of Fame Award
Review: After learning that the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame (MAHOF) named Lou Martin's book, "Wings Over Persia" The Best Aviation writing by a Minnesotan for 2004, I felt I should obtain a copy. The MAHOF stated that Lou's book is exciting and personal, definitely the type of aviation writing the MAHOF wishes to honor and encourge with its annual award. After statred reading it, I couldn't put it down and totally agree with the MAHOF comments. It's an exciting book that provides an understanding of the problems we face in the Middle East, while at the same time providing an interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: What a way to make a living.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. As a pilot, I enjoy reading about the flying adventures of other pilots. Not only does Lou describe his "real life" and "life threatening" adventures, he also sheds light on the Muslim culture and how it affects aviation. At a time when Iraq and Iran are headline news, Wings Over Persia really is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: What a way to make a living.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. As a pilot, I enjoy reading about the flying adventures of other pilots. Not only does Lou describe his "real life" and "life threatening" adventures, he also sheds light on the Muslim culture and how it affects aviation. At a time when Iraq and Iran are headline news, Wings Over Persia really is a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Timing and interest excellent
Review: I think Wings Over Persia is a very interesting and exciting book. I'm not much of a reader, but when I started reading it I found it very difficult to put down. The author arranged the chapters in a way that the book became more exciting and interesting the furhter into I went.
It is very easy reading and suitable for high school or college students,like myself. It was refreshing to read a book that is not full of four letter words. I would recommend it for all ages.
Especially intriging was the author's epilogue at the end of the book which outlined in stark detail the turmoil that is unfolding in Iran today. He must have had a crystal ball when he wrote the book.

Rating:
Summary: Wings Review
Review: I thought this was a very informative and intersting book. Besides the history aspect of this book it is very timely and gives the reader some insight to all the things that are going on now in the Middle East. While this book is interesting to everyone it is especially interesting to anyone who is intersted in flying.

Rating:
Summary: Wings Review
Review: I thought this was a very informative and intersting book. Besides the history aspect of this book it is very timely and gives the reader some insight to all the things that are going on now in the Middle East. While this book is interesting to everyone it is especially interesting to anyone who is intersted in flying.

Rating:
Summary: Wings Over Persia
Review: If you're interested in flying, cockpit humor, and insight into some of the behavior and thinking in the Middle East, you must read "Wings over Persia." It is both informative and highly entertaining. I give it two thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: Wings Over Persia
Review: If you're interested in flying, cockpit humor, and insight into some of the behavior and thinking in the Middle East, you must read "Wings over Persia." It is both informative and highly entertaining. I give it two thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: Wings Over Persia gave insight to the Shah transition.
Review: Lou was definitely not bright enough to survive in Persia. His life was saved only by the most fortuitous grace of God. One would think that after a few hints, even an idiot would have bailed country. Fortunately for Lou and us, he has survived to tell a pretty informative tale that gives keen insight on the time of the overthrow of the Shah and transition of Persia to the hard line Islamic state of Iran.

If Lou reads this, please drop me a line [e-mail].
Sam

Rating:
Summary: Five stars are not enough
Review: Several weeks ago I rode my bike to the local airport to see why there were so many planes suddenly flying around the small community that I live in, and once there I found that there was a fly-in. Now, I'm not very knowledgeable about aircraft but I have had a life long fascination with aircraft of any sort. I enjoyed walking around inspecting aircraft of various kinds and being mesmerized by some formation flying, but couldn't get answers to some of my questions, especially those having to do with WWII (which were the ones performing low level fly-byes, and higher level formation flying).

Eventually I worked my way over to the hangar where breakfast was being served by the local Boy Scout troupe. Right outside the hangar was a small table with a display of pictures and several books on it, and a man sitting there with aviator style sunglasses on engaged in discussion with another gentleman. As I looked at the display I couldn't help but overhear some of the aviation stories he was telling, and became enthralled with not only the information I was hearing but the manner in which it was being conveyed.

After some time I got into a discussion with Mr. Martin about some of the aircraft that I had seen that day. He answered all of my questions and cleared up those that most intriqued me (the WWII aircraft were T-6 trainers, an aircraft that he had experience with). He then began telling me stories about his adventures as a pilot in an Iranian air taxi company during the last days of the Shah's government and the revolution that brought the Ayatollah to power.

To say that I was hooked on his storytelling is an understatement. I really had no intention of buying the book when I first saw it, but my subsequent conversation with Mr. Martin convinced me that I couldn't pass up this opportunity to delve deeper into his experiences during such an important period in world history. Sitting in front of me was someone with vast experience in aviation who had first hand knowledge of some incredible events that still affect our world today.

Mr. Martin's writing is crisp in its detail and weaves some historical background information to flesh out his stories so that the reader has a better grasp of not only the flavor of the times but of a society and people we Americans (and most Westerners I would imagine) are likely to be unaware of. Not only was I entertained but I learned an awful lot.

Wings Over Persia captivated me from cover to cover, keeping me on the edge of my seat with stories that alternated between high drama, humor, and suspense. Sometimes people who can tell a great story fail miserably when they commit them to paper. Not so in this case. Lou Martin is a storyteller/writer par excellance. It was a lucky day for me when I met him and now I have this jewell of a book to relive some of his fascinating escapades.

This book is suitable for any reader, young or old, as there is no unacceptable language for parents to worry about - just great stories that kids will love and older people will appreciate. It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of young readers will be inspired to persue a career in aviation due to this book.