The key to victory in World War II lay in wresting control of the skies from the Nazis. America's most courageous pilots hurled their underrated P-47 Thunderbolts time and again against the Luftwaffe's over-whelming power; and won. This is the true story of one of the greatest Thunderbolt aces of all; Robert S. Johnson: his training; his early failures; his brushes with death and his 28 kills that helped smash the German juggernaut. Step by step; dogfight by dogfight; manoeuvre by manoeuvre; he details daring aerial exploits against monumental odds with America's fabled 56th Fighter Group; a special breed of men who changed the course of history.
#49104 in Books Simon n Schuster 2003-10-07 2003-10-07Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .80 x 6.12l; .73 #File Name: 0743252128288 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Ambrose writes history; rather than rewriting history.By margoI enjoyed this relatively short book in which Ambrose touches briefly on many of the subjects he has written about in his more detailed books. This is a good introduction to Ambrose and will help the reader decide which of the many Ambrose books to follow up with. My other favorites are his writings on Lewis and Clark; and the later years of Nixon. Ambrose writes history; rather than attempting to rewrite history. This sets him apart from many of his contemporaries such as Doris Kearns Goodwin. I subtracted one star for an unnecessary derogatory remark he makes about Ernest Hemingway; and his overly simplified reflections on immigration issues.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Treasure in the roughBy ChrisOne of the best books I've read in ages. I find myself so tired of all the bashing the media do on Americans and what they've done in the world. So much of a biased and negative slant in history books and most authors twisitng everything at how bad the US had been domestically and internationally. If you are looking to rekindle that pride on being an American and realize that everything the US had done has not been imperialistic; than this is a great book. Ambrose presents facts and lets you decide. Ambrose texts should be in schools instead of the crap I see my kids bring home.28 of 28 people found the following review helpful. His Last Book: His BestBy Bill EmblomWhenever Stephen Ambrose would be asked which of his books is his best; he would answer by saying his latest one. This effort entitled "To America" is not the longest by any stretch; but of the half dozen of his books that I have read; I enjoyed this one the most. Ambrose covers America from our country's beginnings right into the year 2002 when he died. Obviously he can't go into the detail he did in other efforts; but he covers our nation's history in succinct detail and explaining why he admires men such as Ulysses Grant; Andrew Jackson; Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt; Dwight Eisenhower; and Jackie Robinson. History; Ambrose tells us; "is about people; and nothing could be more fascinating to people than other people; living in a different time; in different circumstances." This is about people who are well known and those who are not; who have made significant contributions to America who we owe a debt of thanks for their life. Ambrose says the technological improvements of the 19th century became killing machines that turned the great wars of the 20th century into the worst century ever. Racism; women's rights; nation building; and the threat we face from the Islamic world are other subjects Ambrose touches on. The book is only 252 pages long; and if you are looking for an outstanding summary of our country's history this book will certainly hold your interest.
