Soaring to Victory: The Inspiring Memoirs of Legendary Fighter Pilot Robin Olds

Sagebrush: This should be required reading for aspiring military leaders. Great lessons in effective leadership that is seldom appreciated (or tolerated) by less capable leaders...
The only part I didn't like while reading this book was that it kept reminding me that real leaders like General Olds are not tolerated by our present day military and civilian higher ups, no matter how well they do their jobs, and the lengths some will go to to get them out of their way.

United States on Aug 25, 2023

Smylin2020: I am halfway through the audio book. It's so good I can't stop listening. I had to order the book so I could see the pictures and just because it's such a great story

United States on Aug 12, 2023

Richard and Linda C. Brown: A well known hero, as featured on Smithsonian and AHA networks, made this book a must read.

United States on Aug 10, 2023

Greg K: It's easy to say that "they just don't make men like this anymore" but it's also true. An outstanding first hand account of the military fighter pilot, from the apex of the prop era in WWII to the beginning and advancements of the jet age of Korea and Vietnam. Highest recommendation.

So many things have changed about America and her character since The Greatest Generation was born, and now sadly mostly passed, and it's difficult not to feel that many if not most of those changes have been for the worse. I was fortunate to have met some of these types of individuals as a young man. As the years pass, the fondness of their memory increases along with the pain of their absence.

God Bless Robin Olds

United States on Jun 15, 2023

IanM: This biography on Robyn Olds is easy to read and engaging. I knew of his status as a legend in the USAF based on his exploits in the Vietnam War. What I didn't know was his WW2 history.

In reading his life story I understood why he achieved legend status and don't question that status. But it also provides and insight into an individual who was far from perfect and at times, made decisions that suited his needs rather the organisational goals of the USAF. I note that this was never at the expense of the people he fought with and lead though there was a cost to his family. Something most service people experience.

If you have heard of Robyn Olds, do yourself a favour and read this book. You will not regret the journey.

Australia on Apr 20, 2023

K.W.: Habe schon viel über Col. Olds in verschiedenen Publikationen gelesen (insbes. Vietnam-Veröffentlichungen). Diese von seiner Tochter und einem Pilotenfreund erstellten Memoiren über sein gesamtes Leben und seine Zeit in der USAF sind lebendig und fachorientiert geschrieben. Ein lohnender Kauf.

Germany on Jan 17, 2023

Simon Johnson: This book is the story of an incredible life told with humour, humility and a flow that any novelist should envy.
Robin Olds is the real deal and this is a book that I’d rate right up there with Reach For The Sky, The Big Show, and First Light with classics of wartime aviation history. I was up until two in the morning reading it several nights and finished it with genuine regret.

United Kingdom on Nov 20, 2022

RG0647: The book depicts General Olds life and you quickly surmise that he had a strong leadership personality from the very start of his life. No matter what he did, he strived for excellence and demanded that from those around him. He was the type of leader that you had confidence that he could lead you through the "gates of *ell" and come out the other side smoking a cigar. Excellent book on what leadership used to be.
During the Viet Nam conflict I served flying F-4's from the 25 TFS, 8 TFW in Ubon Thailand. Ubon was the home of Robin Olds "Wolfpack" where he flew against North Vietnam. I was there several years after he was the 8 TFW commander but his legacy still lived on. We still flew the aircraft with the red stars painted from the Robin Olds era. There were stories passed down at the O-Club about about his leadership and taking care of the troops (no matter 1 strip or Eagle). He was the epitome of leadership, both on the ground and in the air. I was fortunate enough to personally meet General Olds at the first "Real River Rats Reunion" in Las Vegas in 1973. I flew out to the "Rats" Convention with Colonel Bill Kirk. Col Kirk and General Olds flew together at Ubon and were...

United States on Jul 17, 2022

Sean W: This is probably the best book of its kind I have ever read. Full of action, frankness and honesty. I know for a fact Robin Olds was revered by his fellow pilots and ground crew. He lived life to the full and mostly at a frantic pace. You get a very good feel for what it was like both in WW2 and the Vietnam war for fighter pilots going face to face with the enemy.

Robin also does not hold back on his views of the stupidity of the Vietnam War. So much loss of life, so much waste of money, and it achieved nothing. The layers of desk-bound top brass basically told the various Presidents what they wanted to hear. Robin told them the truth at the first opportunity he had.

Highly, highly, recommend this book.

United Kingdom on Oct 06, 2020

Mike Morgulis: I enjoyed this book very much, it was not what I was expecting. I thought it would be more like Chuck Yeager's book but instead it was quite different. Olds talks about his comrades very much, from the enlisted folks all the way to the top. He didn't hide much at all, actually. It's more than just flying as well. What I've noticed in most of the pilot bio's I've read, their first missions left a great impression upon them, in great detail, but towards the end of their service career, the missions seemed to blend into a general mood. Old's book actually puts together a lot of detail in all phases of his life. He addressed his private life as well as his operational/military life, both the negatives and the positives. The adage "learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make them all yourself" is very true, and Olds' book will allow him to remain an instructor and inspiration even though he's physically gone. Bravo Zulu to his daughter for completing the book and making sure it made it into production.

Canada on Feb 08, 2019