For readers of Unbroken comes an unforgettable tale of courage from America’s “forgotten war†in Korea; by the New York Times bestselling author of A Higher Call. Devotion tells the inspirational story of the U.S. Navy’s most famous aviator duo; Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown; and the Marines they fought to defend. A white New Englander from the country-club scene; Tom passed up Harvard to fly fighters for his country. An African American sharecropper’s son from Mississippi; Jesse became the navy’s first black carrier pilot; defending a nation that wouldn’t even serve him in a bar. While much of America remained divided by segregation; Jesse and Tom joined forces as wingmen in Fighter Squadron 32. Adam Makos takes us into the cockpit as these bold young aviators cut their teeth at the world’s most dangerous job—landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier—a line of work that Jesse’s young wife; Daisy; struggles to accept. Deployed to the Mediterranean; Tom and Jesse meet the Fleet Marines; boys like PFC “Red†Parkinson; a farm kid from the Catskills. In between war games in the sun; the young men revel on the Riviera; partying with millionaires and even befriending the Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Taylor. Then comes the war no one expected; in faraway Korea. Devotion takes us soaring overhead with Tom and Jesse; and into the foxholes with Red and the Marines as they battle a North Korean invasion. As the fury of the fighting escalates and the Marines are cornered at the Chosin Reservoir; Tom and Jesse fly; guns blazing; to try and save them. When one of the duo is shot down behind enemy lines and pinned in his burning plane; the other faces an unthinkable choice: watch his friend die or attempt history’s most audacious one-man rescue mission. A tug-at-the-heartstrings tale of bravery and selflessness; Devotion asks: How far would you go to save a friend?Praise for Devotion“Riveting . . . a meticulously researched and moving account.â€â€”USA Today “An inspiring tale . . . portrayed by Makos in sharp; fact-filled prose and with strong reporting.â€â€”Los Angeles Times “[A] must-read.â€â€”New York Post “Stirring.â€â€”Parade “A masterful storyteller . . . [Makos brings] Devotion to life with amazing vividness. . . . [It] reads like a dream. The perfectly paced story cruises along in the fast lane—when you’re finished; you’ll want to start all over again.â€â€”Associated Press“A delight to read . . . Devotion is a story you will not forget.â€â€”The Washington Times“My great respect for Tom Hudner knows no bounds. He is a true hero; and in reading this book; you will understand why I feel that way.â€â€”President George H. W. Bush “This is aerial drama at its best—fast; powerful; and moving.â€â€”Erik Larson; New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake“Though it concerns a famously cold battle in the Korean War; make no mistake: Devotion will warm your heart.â€â€”Hampton Sides; New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Soldiers and In the Kingdom of Ice “At last; the Korean War has its epic; a story that will stay with you long after you close this book.â€â€”Eric Blehm; New York Times bestselling author of Fearless and Legend
#175015 in Books University of Nebraska Press 2000Format: UnabridgedOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.16 x 1.33 x 6.06l; 1.75 #File Name: 0803292287570 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. SUPERB!By mrs.peapodThe Pacific Northwest: An Interpretive History by Carlos Schwantes is one of the BEST texts in any area I've read in a LONG time. The length; at first; seemed daunting but Schwantes' easy style - more like narrative than anything - massages the reader into turning page after page; long into the night. Though the dates are there; the subchapters are tight and concise and the reader never feels * forced * to continue. Indeed; the author seems so in love with his topic that the facility of his writing compels the reader to become mesmerized by the topic. Schwantes moves from point to point with the sort of story-telling grace usually reserved for literary fiction writers. I do not live in the Pacific Northwest but have loved all aspects of American history over my nearly-70-years of life. This eye-opening book is a delight for the true scholar. Though I approached such a long book with trepidation; my delight in finding the "facts" so seamlessly interwoven with real people - Native; European; Russian; Spanish; French; and Asian - made the reading of this text emotional. There were times I actually wept; the stories are that powerful. I congratulate the author in achieving a masterpiece; one that is touching; readable; and informative. This book is a MUST for serious students of Pacific Northwest history - and all other history students in general who seek to broaden their knowledge of this great country through its great moments - as well as the ones we wish never happened. If you love history; you are well aware of the highs and lows of all peoples. This particular text lets you see; without bias; how the great Pacific Northwest Region came to be what it is today. There are REAL PEOPLE in this book! You'll get to know them - and the power struggles for land; gold; and political and religious gain that compelled their story onward over hundreds of years. History is not just dry data when written by a master like Schwantes. Pick up a copy; learn something new - and enjoy!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A great overview of this region; well documented and indexedBy George C.A comprehensive overview of the history of this region. The index helps make it a resource book to keep on the shelf. Several events are somewhat detailed; but leaves me wishing for more. This is expected and good. As an avid reader of history; there are in fact many good books written with the detail desired. This is a perfect jumping off place to look for those detailed; often first person; accounts. This history fairly covers all three states the author has chosen to include in his account of the Pacific Northwest. Well written and well documented. The many tables of historically significant facts are in every instance useful to the understanding. I was born in Idaho and mostly raised in Western Washington in the 40's and 50's before moving to Alaska in 1964. I returned to Idaho in 2011 and continue to read all I can about this region.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Walla Walla Comm College /JacksonA classic!