The Big Show: Some Experiences of a French Fighter Pilot in the R.A.F. (Wings of War) [Hardcover]

Pierre Clostermann (Author), Oliver Berthoud (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Time Life Education; REPRINT Edition edition (November 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809479621
• ISBN-13: 978-0809479627
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #577,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most vivid, captivating WWII flying book ever!, December 20, 1999

By 

"larsgrimsrud" (Lafayette, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Show: Some Experiences of a French Fighter Pilot in the R.A.F. (Wings of War) (Hardcover)

I first read "The Big Show" when I was thirteen years old in Norway, 1969. The book was translated into Norwegian (Luftens Oerner), and I was absolutley captivated by the writing style, technical accuracy, and excitement. So much so, that I would read it over and over from cover to cover along with its companion book, "Flames in the Sky." The books were my father's: He bought them at a book sale in Oslo, Norway about 10 years after the war's end. Following the liberation of Norway, the RAF flew a victory air show over downtown Oslo with 4 Tempest fighters. One of those pilots was at this book sale 10 years later, signing his new books. The Norwegian version books I have are both signed by Pierre Clostermann. I still have these books proudly displayed in my bookcase: I read them again just last week, and they're just as exciting as ever. From the inspiration I received from these books, I went on to learn to fly, and have made a career out of aviation/aerospace as a result of the imagination that was sparked from reading these works. I'm now using some of the photos in the books, and descriptions in the books, to assist in the restoration of two ME109's. I now want so much for my own kids to read the books, too, but they don't read Norwegian. I do hope to find a set in English to compliment my original set!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best fighter-pilot's book I ever read, December 17, 2000

By 

Tony Dyson (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Show: Some Experiences of a French Fighter Pilot in the R.A.F. (Wings of War) (Hardcover)

The one characteristic that makes this book stand out above all others is its honesty. This is not a "gung ho" story that makes light of the awfulness of war.

Clostermann made no secret of his fear, or the toll the experience took on his nerves, but he persevered. This bravery must have been evident to others, as evidenced by his rank at the war's end.

This book belongs in the collection of anyone with an interest in flying or aerial warfare.

It deserves a reprint.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable account of wartime experience., April 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Show: Some Experiences of a French Fighter Pilot in the R.A.F. (Wings of War) (Hardcover)

Commentary and reaction to critique by [e-mail] from USA,12/13/1997. I first read this book in the early 60`s and have reread it many times with complete enjoyment. It is,in my opinion, a most remarkable account of a human being involved in the most stressfull of occupations, written with complete candor and modesty. Surviving 420 operations flying fighters in Europe in itself was an incredible achievement and could only be done by someone with tremendous courage and ability. In reference to gensvrb`s critique; the interception of a Bf109g over Scapa took place Feb.21/43 (pg. 101) Not Feb.19/43 and Closterman did not claim its destruction. He states quite clearly that Ian Blair got the kill (pg.104). Closterman was credited with 23 enemy aircraft destroyed; where did the the figure 33.5 come from and where is the evidence that only 11 were credited? Closterman wrote his account in diary form and never intimated that it was history. I would suggest to gensvrb that apologies are in order to a man who was awarded the DSO,the DFC, and many other Service medals. In the RAF, these were only given for outstanding performance to outstanding people. I would also like to point out that Marshall of the RAF, Sir John Slessor, would not have endorsed this book if it had not been completely and utterly factual. An RCAF WW2 fighter pilot.