Customer Reviews

Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle-Aviation Pioneer and World War II Hero

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can sum this up in a very short space. This is a well written book that not only gives an insight into General Jimmy Doolittle's contributions to our nation and the world, but also into his family and his wife's contributions on the home front during WWII. As far as I am concerned, no history class should be taught without this book as required reading.

This book is about the family life of Jimmy Doolittle written by his granddaughter. It's touching in every aspect of what a family goes through over the years. After reading this book you will understand why his biography is titled " I Could Never Be So Lucky Again" by CV Glines, and why he is known as "The Master of Calculated Risk."

This book was purchased for my son who is interested in WWII planes and fliers, and since I was a civilian during WWII and lived through that era, this book was definitely to be read (especially after watching Life and Times on our local KCET station and the granddaughter was interviewed regarding this book). Both of us enjoyed reading the life of this remarkable man and it was a must for his growing library.

more people should be aware of the career of jimmy dolittle, read this and you'll be in awe of this man!

This isn't a fun review to write. The author is clearly a loving granddaughter and her grandparents were special people. But the book doesn't hang together well. Story lines are initiated and never completed or seem to begin in the middle. Many times I flipped back to see if pages has stuck together because I found myself in the midst of a story that didn't seem to fit. It's too bad. The author has stories worth sharing, but her manuscript seems to have received nary a editor's mark.

I liken learning to decorating a Christmas tree. Having lots of pretty ornaments is great, but one must start with a sturdy tree. Similarly, learning is about having a strong tree, or framework, and then adding ornaments, or facts, relationships, anecdotes, etc. to the framework. This book is a box of interesting ornaments but with a tree that needs work. If a reader already knows the narrative of Jimmy Doolittle's life, then this book might be completely enjoyable and worthwhile. But to a reader coming to Doolittle for the first time, this book would be confusing and unsatisfactory. A reader should start elsewhere and only return here if additional insights are desired.

This is just another excellent example of why this country has stayed a free democracy for 232 years.

I purchassed this book as a request for a friend. The condition of the book was excellent. I read the book because Jimmy Doolittle is the Grandfather of my friend Jody. I enjoyed learning about Jody's Grandfather. I recomend this book for anyone interesed in Aviation.