Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

Commentary and reaction to critique by gensverb@interpath.com 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.

Clostermann is the picture of the warrior: Aggressive, intelligent, courageous, and humble. The story of his exploits as a Free French fighter pilot is a lesson to future generations of just who were the people who fought and won the air war during the Second World War. This is a classic for all times -- Buy it and read it to your kids...They'll thank you for it!

The most inspiring book of the air battles of WW2. I was given this book by my Father in 1968 then aged nine. I have read it at least twice a year since then! I have Leo 25 Airborne but have never read Flames in the sky. The Big show also inspired me to learn to fly. When in the air I try to imagen the thoughts & feelings of the young fighter pilots of WW2.Be it in a Piper, Cessna, Yak 52 or Jet Provost, I am with them, this book gives the reader the closest insight of a brave, determined, yet scared man 'just doing his job' I once asked Stephen Grey of the Duxford based 'Fighter Colletion' what aircraft would you like, but can't have? "a Tempest V" he replied. He was also inspired.

The Big Show is the breathtaking, compressed diary of Pierre Clostermann, a fighter pilot of the RAF during the Second World War. The book provides a stunning insight into the mind of a young man facing the turmoil of air war. I read this book when I was a boy and then unfortunately lost it. But I never forgot his descriptions of the friendships, the machines and the icing fear. Best of all I remember his very emotional impressions on the various fighter-planes, he flew: The nimble Spitfire (which he loved), the awesome Typhoon (which he feared) and the powerful Tempest (which he flew at the end of the war). Read this book! I got it again last year and re-read it. It was a fantastic experience!

I first read this book in 1965. It was an instant favorite for a boy of 9, and my paperback copy eventually disintegrated from repeated reads. Twenty five years later I found a hardbound copy and reread Clostermann's personal account of the war. While the intervening years gave me a new perspective from which to view war, the tale told by the book still holds my interest, and it remains one of my favorite stories of World War II aviation.

I've read this book in french language, then in my own language - portuguese, for more than ten times. It remains the best I ever read in WW2 air battles. It's vivid descriptions, without empty heroism, is inspiring. Pena que não existam mais reedições tanto em português como em ingles. Mas vale a pena conquistá-lo em algum sebo. An estate of art in aerial literature.

If you like flying at all, just read the first chapter, and you will be hooked. From Spitfire to Typhoon to Tempest, you experience the thrill of handling these powerful aircraft from 1942 through the end of the War in Europe. What were the skys over Germany like during the last weeks of war, and the first weeks of peace? The Big Show is a grand book.

I first read Clostermann's account of his experiences about thirty years ago as a teenager. His account of his experiences was lucid and compelling. Of particular interest is that he flew the Hawker Tempest in action. This brute of an aircraft had a 24 cylinder Napier Sabre sleeve valve 'H' engine and was a slim winged successor to the Hawker Typhoon. You will go a long way to find a similar quality book. The only one that comes to mind is the German equivalent "I Flew for the Fuhrer", which I also read as a child and note is in print again and on sale at Amazon.