Basher Five-two: The True Story Of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'grady [Paperback]

Scott O'Grady (Author), Michael French (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down in his F-16 over Bosnia while helping to keep the peace. The plane exploded, and Captain O'Grady fell 5 miles to the ground below. In exciting detail, Captain O'Grady tells how he evaded capture and how, with little water and no food, he was able to survive on his own in enemy territory.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up. On June 2, 1995, while 29-year-old Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady flew his 47th mission over Bosnia, his F-16 fighter plane was downed by a Serbian land missile. O'Grady relates the events of his six-day, harrowing adventure after parachuting from his disabled plane. Left with minimal supplies and a radio low on battery life, Basher Five-Two (O'Grady's "call sign" for the mission) avoided enemy detection, protected himself from the elements, and subsisted on a diet of leaves, ants, and rainwater. The author effectively communicates not just the details of his miraculous survival, but also how he relied on his love of family and religious faith in dealing with his fear and despair. To create suspense, the narrative is interrupted at the point that the plane is shot down with a chapter that gives details of the soldier's childhood and military training. This break in narrative flow, however, makes it more difficult for younger readers to stay with this inspirational story. Black-and-white photos appear in a 16-page center insert. The memoir ends with a satisfying account of O'Grady's rescue and subsequent treatment as a national hero, even though he claims, "I wasn't really a hero...I was a survivor."?Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-10. "The Great American Celebrity Machine wanted to make me a hero. As I'd tried to explain to so many people, I wasn't really a hero, I was a survivor." O'Grady, who miraculously survived six days in enemy territory after his F-16 was shot down, returned to find a nation fascinated with his adventure. In minute detail, O'Grady, with help from French, tells his amazing story, from his parachute drop and endeavors to evade hostile Bosnian Serbs to sustaining himself by eating ants and drinking water from rain-soaked socks. Although it must have been tempting to sensationalize the fascinating events, this title is a model of restraint, and with relevant aspects of O'Grady's childhood and military training interspersed throughout the book, readers get a clear sense of O'Grady's strength of character and will to survive. A great hook for reluctant readers. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 133 pages
• Publisher: Yearling; Reprint edition (July 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440413133
• ISBN-13: 978-0440413134
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Aviation
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Action & Adventure
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > United States

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Short Survival Story, April 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Basher Five-Two: The True Story of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'Grady (Hardcover)

This book is very short and to the point but it doesn't leave anything important out. It is the true story of U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady who was shot down in Bosnia in 1995 by a surface to air missile while flying missions for the United Nations forces there. He ejected from his disintegrating aircraft and had to survive and evade capture for six days behind enemy lines before he was rescued by friendly forces.

While not the most harrowing aviation survival account I've read (BAT 21 was much more intense) it is nevertheless a good, solid example of how people can survive if they have the right training, equipment and, above all, the right attitude. O'Grady's account is told in a frank no-nonsense way and he is quick to admit his own mistakes and fears and he quickly acknowledges that the real heroes were the guys who came to get him.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars yea, October 26, 2005

By 

Amanda Ledger - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basher Five-two: The True Story Of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'grady (Paperback)

very good book! exciting and full of action. once i started ready it i didn't want to stop. i think everyone should read it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was very, very suspenseful, December 14, 1999

By 

Dianne (Warrednsburg, Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basher Five-Two: The True Story of F-16 Fighter Pilot Captain Scott O'Grady (Hardcover)

This true life story was based on Captain Scott O'Gradywho was an F-16 U.S. Air Force pilot. On his way to his destination point in Bosnia he was shot down by enemy pilots. Captain O'Grady parachuted five miles to the ground and he had no food or water. Scott O'Grady is considered a U.S.A. hero because of the skill, faith, and courage he had while fulfilling his duties as a member of the Air Force.