donaldbyers
4/26/2010 7:40:26 PM | I just received the copy of this book for the purpose of review by James Lee McDonough.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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donaldbyers
4/27/2010 3:40:36 PM | One customers review and catches the essences of the book!!
James Lee McDonough is a respected historian of the Civil War. This time, he turns his attention to the struggles and challenges of one man during and after World War II.
Myron King has had a long, successful career as an artist. Before and during World War II, he was trained as a pilot, eventually becoming the leader of a B-17 bomber squad. His team flow 20 missions over Europe, particularly over Berlin. On one of his missions, his plane was damaged by ground fire and eventually forced to land east of Germany, in Russian-occupied Poland. During the process of his return to the West, he was trapped in political intrigue, accused of harboring a stowaway on a flight, and eventually court martialed. For seven years he fought to clear his name. His story was finally brought to the attention of a member of Congress, and the resulting investigation completely exonerated King.
This is a cracking good story, told by a master of the craft. Regardless of the intensity of one's military interest, the portrait of King as a gifted artist and pilot and as a fun-loving young man who loved to buzz his fiancee's school is just plain enjoyable to read. The details of life as a military pilot are skillfully woven into the narrative, so that the reader is literally in the head of the pilot as well as in the cockpit. The dangers King faced become real and intense as we fly mission after dangerous mission with him. The political aspects of his courtmartial are skillfully presented without being overstated.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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