Customer Reviews

The Eagle's Last Flight

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband had long since retired from the Air Force when we met but he often entertained me with "war stories" about his days as a fighter pilot. Most of the time I listened with one ear. When he finished "The Eagle's Last Flight" and suggested I read it I didn't want to do it. Finally he twisted my arm and I read the first few pages. I was hooked! The flying part was interesting and easy to understand. But there was so much more to the story. For one thing, I was surprised to find a genuine love story intertwined in all the flying stuff...with enough enough tragedy to keep a box of Kleenex near at hand. And as I followed the lives of the main character and his wife I felt like I was standing beside them the entire way. As for the plight of the atomic veterans, I was shocked at how carelessly they had been treated. It's a story every American should be told and should even be taught in school. This book is not just for pilots, or even just for men for that matter. It's a fantastic read with something in it for everybody. I heartily recommend it.

Okay, I'll admit it. I remember Ron Standerfer from the old days and know he is one of us---so I was determined to read his book. But the story was totally unexpected and literally blew me away! I expected a lot of "there I was at 50,000 feet" stories filled technical details and historical facts. What I didnt expect was a detailed, sensitive account of one man's life throughout the cold years from beginning to end---the hardships he and his family endured, the sometimes random deaths of his squadron mates in training accidents, the struggle to succeed in an extremely competitive environment--- he covered all the bases in a fast paced and powerful way. And I learned something I didnt know, namely the plight of the 250,000 or so military personnel that participated in the atomic tests during the 40s and 50s. What a tragedy! The Eagle's Last Flight is a fascinating story, superbly written, and eminently readable. You gotta read it!!!!

If you wannabe a fighter pilot, read this book. If you always wanted to be a fighter pilor and never were, read this book. If you were or are a fighter pilot, read this book. I guarantee enjoyment. This is one of the best books about flying fighters, life in the military, war and the humans who do it, all with the best of characters shrouded in history, mixed with realism, sex, joy, tragedy, sadness, mystery. I could feel the Gs, taste the martinis and smell the perfume. I felt like I knew the characters, or someone just like them, and saw every fighter pilot in "Skip" and every fighter pilot's wife in "Christy" - go get this book NOW - and put it on the top of your stack - you won't be disappointed - Don Shepperd, author and CNN Military Analyst

As Skip looks back on his life as a fighter pilot, we experience the sheer joy & terror of flying and the terrible struggle of a man determined to carry on with a dangerous career while committed to his role as a husband and father. We are treated to hair-raising tales from the cockpit and colorful stories of male bonding, humor and romance. I found the book totally engrossing and entertaining and, once started, I couldn't put it down.

My husband had read this book & loved it. He suggested that I might enjoy it but I thought of it as a man's book and initially resisted.
However, the beautiful cover constantly intrigued me. When I sat down to read, I couldn't put it down. This is a real page turner! The author knows how to involve you in his loveable character's life & hook you until the end. Plus we loved the irrevent humour. It reminded us of Nelson De Mille's style- an author we both adore.
We highly recommend this book & hope that there is a sequel in the works.
The O'Briens

"I just finished this book and cried at the ending! WOW! Ron Standerfer knows how to tell a powerful story with sensitivity, without ever losing the reader's interest. I honestly had trouble putting it down. A powerful book written by an eloquent writer."

Skip O'Neill flew with the Lafayette Escadrille, he flew fighters in the ETO and the Pacific in WWII, he flew fighters in all the conflicts since Vietnam as well. But this book is about Skip and his life in the air and on the ground during the Vietnam war. For Skip O'Neill's story is the story of all fighter pilot warriors. Anyone who flew in any war can relate to many episodes in this book and certainly the characters. And for those who want to know what it means to be in a fighter cockpit while shooting and being shot at will find the answer in "The Eagle's Last Flight." Soar to the heights with Colonel Skip O'Neill. And when one finishes the book, pilot or not, they will find themselves having several moments of quiet reflection, not unlike finishing a Richard Bach book.

By Mark Berent, retired USAF fighter pilot
See his five books on the Vietnam air and ground war in Amazon and Kindle at Rolling Thunder

Explosive! The Eagle's Last Flight, a highly-charged, human drama is told with consummate skill and intrigue - filled with gripping twists and turns a pilot must execute for survival. It's a revealing slice of memorable air force life served up close and personal. This one's definitely an all-nighter. For the serious aviation buff, Ron Standerfer, a veteran AF pilot is eminently qualified to pen this rare, must-have book.

By -- Bill Guenon, author: SECRET And DANGEROUS - Night of the Son Tay P.O.W. Raid

Reviewed by William E. Cooper for Reader Views (2/07)


As a work of fiction Colonel Standerfer has produced a book that places his readers well within the realm of reality. It is the story of a decorated combat pilot who is dying of leukemia. The story takes us through his training (which he nearly fails to complete) to his association with veteran World War II and Korean War fighter pilots. These friends take him under their wing and teach him the realities of combat flying. He is assigned to combat operations in Vietnam and proves himself and capable and heroic pilot. Colonel Standerfer's writing skill puts you in the cockpit with pilot Skip O'Neill as he maneuvers and engages in aerial combat. The fact that the author himself flew 237 combat missions in Vietnam provides the background and real knowledge and skills to take the reader with him back into the fight.

Following his combat experiences O'Neill volunteers to be an observer at the testing of atomic bombs. Without the knowledge of radiation and the proximity to the detonation, O'Neill is exposed to what will become lethal doses of radiation, over time. He contracts leukemia and the story follows his treatments and reflections of his experiences. As the disease progresses, O'Neill decides to accept his fate with courage and dignity. He reflects over his life and career experiences while deciding how to meet his end. Colonel Standerfer creates and ending for the book which is both surprising and emotional. This review will not reveal that ending as the reader needs to experience it alone.

For anyone who reads, "The Eagle's Last Flight" should be added to your library. It is a well-composed and well-written story, and certainly worth your time and expense to get and read it. I have to tell Colonel Standefer very well done sir, very well done. Be proud of this work.

Book received free of charge.

I can vouch for one chapter in the book. Tchepone, Laos, April 1, 1969. This chapler is baised on fact. I was the FE on the Jolly Green that rescued "Skip" Ron Standerfer from Laos that day. We really were low on fuel. When we started our penetration for the rescue, we dumped down to 30 minutes fuel and requested a tanker meet us at 1,000 feet on the way out. We rescued both pilots, and hooked up with the tanker at 32 minutes.
In 2000 through contacts that my PJ on the mission had, we linked up with Ron on the internet. That was an exciting day. Ron is the only survivor that I was involved with rescuing that I have made contact with, and know how thier lifes turned out.
The book isn't 100% correct but it is based on fact.