Masters of the Air: The Untold Story of America's Bomber Boys Who Fought to Defeat Nazi Germany

Kindle Customer r c lush: This is an excellent book with great insights into what the 8th AAF went through both in terms of combat experience and how it came into being. A definite read for those interested in the bomber offensive in WW2

Canada on Nov 03, 2023

Maddog255: My father served in WWII in the OSS. I love reading about the war and its heroes. I look forward to Tom Hanks’ series based on this book. I can see it will be a great series, but realize it can detail all the stories of this book. It’s why I read Stephen Ambrose “Band of Brothers” before the HBO series was shown. I’m glad I was able to read this book before “Masters …” comes out.

EXCELLENT WORK MR. MILLER

United States on Oct 30, 2023

J.W.: Gift- great price, delivered quickly and in perfect condition. Thx!

United States on Oct 11, 2023

Scottsdale dwellers: I could not put it down. The author really conveys what it must have been like to be flying B-17 missions over a strongly defended Germany in WWII. How the crews endured this over and over is unbelievable.

But in addition to this, the book is an incredibly well-researched history of the air war over Germany.

United States on Sep 03, 2023

L. Gonçalves: Highly recommended

Spain on Mar 08, 2023

sixtring: While recognizing Anglo-American cooperation in the strategic bombing of Europe during WWII, "Masters of the Air" is purposely focused on the U.S. Eighth Air Force, which was the centerpiece of epic missions conducted at great risk in broad daylight. Countless books have already been published about the aerial bombardment of Germany and it war-making capacity. But I am not aware of any book that is as comprehensive in its assembly of individual voices - witnesses to the lead-up, conduct, and (to a limited extent) the aftermath of that ferocious campaign. This narrative thankfully avoids the stuffy tone found in older volumes. Here, the reader is treated to virtual, face-to-face episodes relating to the pre-war origins of strategic bombing concepts, developed by maverick thinkers working for skeptical superiors. Sadly, scant attention is paid to the massive training effort that converted young men into aviators, airborne gunners, and radio men. Instead, the narrative moves quickly into the earliest deployment of USAAF assets and personnel in England, which hosted the overnight development of dozens of airfields - each a virtual city unto itself - complete with a staggering array of...

United States on Aug 21, 2021

Steve M. Johnston: Fantastic book. Had a hard time putting it down. Well written and covers all aspects of the war from start to finish. Looking forward to see what Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg do you it. Should be just as great as Band of Brothers.

Canada on Aug 15, 2020

Connie: A great book of true training, experiences and events.

Canada on May 15, 2020

I. A: I have read almost every book written about the air war over Europe, and I can say that this book is a "must".
You will find in it a detailed study of almost every relevant point about the conditions in which some young men put their lives at the stake -and many of them lost it- to freed Europe. From doctrine till major operations, and all without forgetting that little stories about singular people, just like you and me, that makes you understand how so many youngsters turn into old in just the 2-4 months time of their tour of duty.
Don't miss it!

Spain on Nov 19, 2018

RJB: Miller's book is a masterpiece. Without too much effort, one can make the case that American Army Air Force generals were incompetent and reckless. I was appalled of the losses sustained by aircrews and the ineffectiveness of bombing in many cases. Miller points out that little targeting was done for German electric grid, although the RAF bounced some bombs into dams, which was not mentioned in the book. The mistakes made were colossal and include the following:
1. Not engaging in anti-submarine warfare in the Battle of the Atlantic (described as a minority opinion).
2. Not defining "round the clock bombing" -- like, what happens if the bomber force doesn't re-target for days or weeks because of inclement weather or replenishing the wings.
3. Not using fighter escorts to their operational range limits because the slaughter for Regensburg-Schweinfurt ball bearing and Ploesti oil raids were unacceptable without escort. That is, it took Doolittle to improve fighter performance and this should have occurred earlier.
4. Hap Arnold's Aphrodite (new to me) was bizarre to say the least.
5. Not going nighttime adopting the British area bombing approach since daylight results...

United States on Jun 24, 2008