Customer Reviews

I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: An Autobiography of James H. ""Jimmy"" Doolittle with Carroll V. Glines

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It was the privilege of a lifetime to be asked to assist General Jimmy Doolittle in writing his life story. He had said for years that he thought an autobiography would appear to be too self-serving but his family didn't agree. I had written a biography of Jimmy and three books about his famous raid on Japan during WW II so they thought I could do the job. The title comes from his answer to a question about whether he would like to live his life over again. His answer: "No. I could never be so lucky again." I would like to hear from anyone who reads this book. Jimmy died in 1993 and will be eligible to have a commemorative stamp issued in 2003. If you agree that a stamp should be issued, I would appreciate your input which I will use to justify one.

I found this book to be two things. First, it was a wonderful overview of US air history delivered by an indisputable authority on the subject. Second, I learned a lot about a true American hero, both in achievement and personal life. How refreshing to discover a humble, brilliant, down-to-earth individual who made such a positive impact on our country! The book was well written and easy to read. In some places it threatened to be tedious, but nothing serious (hence the 5 star recommendation).

The book has got to be one of the best early arial autobiography's available. I'm not a plane enthusiast, and am not sure what attracted me to it. But Mr. Doolittle sometimes brass, tell it like it was, detailed, amusing portrail of his early day in a plane, should be enjoyable to everyone, of all ages. I highly recommend everyone try a copy... or two since you'll want to keep your copy, and lone one out.

This book definitely stands out as one of the superior autobiographies to come out of a major World War II figures. Its come a bit late but I found it to be quite rewarding reading material. Perhaps he was right, he would never be this lucky again since his life story appears to be filled with eternal good fortune, blessed by a first class mind and abilities. I was surprised to learned how much time he spent in Alaska (my home state) and many other details of his life which most readers will not know about. The book proves to be quite addictive and I frankly, read it in a single sitting. The man have done and experience so much stuff that it must have seem to be like a dream to him, looking back. I considered the book a must read material for anyone interested in a major World War II figure or anyone with any interest in aviation history.

Doolittle accomplished so much in his life that it's hard for the reader to keep it all sorted out. I found it interesting reading up until the WWII episodes. He did just about everything there was to be done, aviation-wise, until his retirement. After that, it's pretty much a dry listing of his service on various corporate boards and with various organizations and the receiving of various awards, etc.

General Doolittle pulled off one of the most daring military maneuvers of all time. Working a long the sides of other great military minds they accomplished what seemed like only a dream at the time when they launched the attack of Tokyo from an aircraft carrier. This book goes into detail about Jimmy's early obsession with flying and how he entered the military and became one of our finest fighting men of all time. The Doolittle Raiders bravery helped to turn the tide of W.W.II into the favor of the Americans. Doolittle was a true American hero!

If you are going to be a serious student of aviation history, you must read this book. Jimmy Doolittle won more awards and pioneered aviation like no other pilot. He truly was in the right place, at the right time. This is an engaging, interresting read, and once you start, you will not want to put it down until you are finished. The life that Doolittle led was aviation and without his contributions to the science and industry of flying, we would still be getting around from city to city by trains.

Childhood in the wilds of Alaska, early aviation pioneer, test pilot, Shell Oil executive, Tokyo raider, 8th Air Force Commander, and so much more. When American hero James Doolittle passed way in 1993, he completed a life that would be difficult for a dozen men to replicate. Though acknowledged in history as the man who led the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, Doolittle's autobiography, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN, shows that there was much more to the man than his daring bomber mission. Raised on the Alaskan frontier, Doolittle eventually relocated to California where he garnered a reputation as a prankster and daredevil. During the First World War he joined the fledgling Army Air Corps. Though Doolittle was retained in the United States throughout the war, he chose to remain in service and help advance military aviation. In the years that followed, Doolittle was a key figure in the development of more advanced avionics, instrument flying, and proponent for 100 octane gasoline for aircraft. Aside from breaking cross country flight records and chasing Mexican bandits in early air-to-ground missions, Doolittle tourned South America as an aircraft salesman.

I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is not just about Doolittle's military adventures. In the book he is an advocate of higher eduction. He accomplished a two-year masters degree in one year. So as not to waste the remaining year the Army alotted him, Doolittle went on to get his doctorate at MIT. His statements about the value of advanced education are as true now as they were then.

Though he shed active duty for a higher paying job at Shell, Doolittle continued to log flight hours for Shell and as a military reservist. Seeing that war was inevitable, Doolittle rejoined the active ranks and pulled off 1942's gutsy attack on Tokyo. Any average man, after receiving his Congressional Medal of Honor from the President, could have called it quits then and there. Not Doolittle. He went on to command various Army Air Force units in North Africa and Europe. He argued with General Eisenhower and frequently corresponded with General George S. Patton.

Doolittle remained active throughout his life. Indeed he was a consultant to numerous firms and on the board of directors of several more. He was called to head various government commissions throughout the remainder of his life. In addition, he was a loving father and devoted husband.

In summary, I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is an autobiography, military narrative, aviation technical development history, and a guide as to how to lead an ethical and fulfilling life. At times some of the chapters bog down when Doolittle inserts whole passages of archival correspondence. No matter. The autobiography is a great work by a great and modest man. The title of the book reflects that modesty as Doolittle writes that I COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN is reflective of his marriage, and not the Tokyo Raid. We miss you Jimmy.

Buy the book.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Gen. Doolittle in 1985 at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas Texas at the dinner in honor of him sponsored by George Haddaway. Years later I got to know CV Glines and see him regularly now.

This is the most thorough biography I have seen on Gen. Doolittle and CV worked closely with the General and later his family. The book answered one of my lingering questions about "The Raid on Tokyo": Was the Hornet spotted AND reported by the picket boat that they sank? The answer came when an outbound flying boat passed underneath the B-25s as they approached Tokyo.

I am not looking forward to the portrayal of Gen. Doolittle by Alec Baldwin in the new Disney Movie "Pearl Harbor". I have a sense of dread and foreboding about what Disney may do to the facts

I have seen several documentaries and movies on the Doolittle Raid on Japan in 1942. However I wanted to know more about the man and his life. With 570 pages and my busy schedule it will take me months to fully read this complete book. I know I will enjoy every page. A fanastic bargain at the price that I paid and the delivery and condition of the book gets a 10 out of 10.