An Emotional Gauntlet: From Life in Peacetime America to the War in European Skies [Hardcover]

Stuart J. Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2004

    Stuart J. Wright tells the gripping story of a World War II American aircrew flying missions from England in a B-24 Liberator bomber they nicknamed Corky. This is a true account based on years of research and correspondence with crewmembers and their families. Wright adds a dimension rarely explored in other World War II memoirs and narratives, beginning the chronicle during peacetime when the men of the aircrew are introduced as civilians-kids during the 1920s. As they mature through the years of the Great Depression to face a world at war, questions are raised about "just" and "unjust" wars, imperialism, and patriotism. Jingoistic sentimentality is resisted in favor of objectivity, as the feelings and motivations of the crewmembers are explored: the Chinese American air gunner had hoped to serve in the U.S. Army Air Force to fight against the Japanese invaders of his homeland; the Jewish navigator felt compelled to join the battle against Nazi Germany.
    In recounting the harrowing conditions and horrors of bombing missions over Europe, An Emotional Gauntlet emphasizes the interpersonal relationships within the crew and the spirit these men shared. Corky's crew served under Operations Officer Major James Stewart (the Hollywood movie star.) They often returned from arduous bombing missions to sleep in half-empty huts—their friends in other planes had not been so lucky. Pilot Jack Nortridge regularly assured his crew, "If you fly with me, I'm going to bring you home." This book is a testament to their strength and determination.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compelling story. Wright establishes the strong spirit these men shared, based on their pilot's pledge that he would bring them back-back from each mission and back to resume their peacetime lives. An Emotional Gauntlet stands out for its integration of prewar civilian life with wartime experiences. To me, this is the essence of America's story in the war, and I am glad to find a book that comprehends this and tells the story from this perspective."—Jerome Klinkowitz, author of Yanks over Europe: American Flyers in World War II

"Superb. I highly recommend An Emotional Gauntlet. The main thread, about the Corky crew, is terrific."—Martin W. Bowman, author of B-24 Liberator: Combat Legends and Wild Blue Yonder: Glory Days of the U.S. 8th Air Force in England

“[An Emotional Gauntlet] is as fresh as the smell of 100 octane on a crisp morning. Author Stuart J. Wright brings freshness to his topic that we thought had been burned away in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”—John Drennan, 8th Air Force Historical Society, Massachusetts ChapteR

“An Emotional Gauntlet shows the difference in mindset of American civilians before the war and the mindset of those civilians once they became soldiers and flew overseas. “—The Freekport Ink

“Much of the book is devoted to the devastating aerial warfare, and although years have passed, the author’s diligent research gives us a dramatic picture of the costly battles. . . . A worthy addition to most home libraries.”—Brockton Enterprise

“This comprehensive, well researched, and well documented memoir tells not only of the war experience, but also much personal history of these men. . . . WWII veterans, those with an interest in history or aviation, and especially the relatives of WWII veterans will be interested in reading this memoir. . . . Stuart Wright honors . . . all brave men and women, our veterans, by recording their history and writing their story.”—Nodaway New Leader

About the Author

Stuart J. Wright is a writer and musician based in London. He has flown in the last flying B-24 in the world. This is his first book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 334 pages
• Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press; 1 edition (October 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0299205207
• ISBN-13: 978-0299205201
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,620,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A B-17 pilot looks at how "the other guys lived (and died)", September 28, 2004

By 

Cecil Craig Harris (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Emotional Gauntlet: From Life in Peacetime America to the War in European Skies (Hardcover)

Stuart Wright owes m several hours of sleep that I missed because I had a very hard time putting the book down. The style is fascinating and compelling. Even though I was a B-17 driver, even though I went to the Eighth on a replacement crew (not original cadre), even though I never had the pain of losing a crewmember, teh book riveted my attention because of the resonance it established between me and the characters of the book's crews. This book is a towering addition to the literature of the Eighth Air Force. Thank you.
Craig Harris B-17 pilot 457th BG, Station 130 Glatton.
e: [e-mail]

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read, July 8, 2005

By 

R. Neumunz (London) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Emotional Gauntlet: From Life in Peacetime America to the War in European Skies (Hardcover)

This is a must read for anyone interested in the daily life of a real B-24 combat crew. Stuart has done an excellent job of presenting the difficulties and challenges of an American air crew in England, as he takes you from the early days of crew training to each of the (very)tough missions flown. One feels as if you are actually part of this team. I came away with a sense of awe and admiration for these men "just doing their job" amid the daily horrors of combat over Germany, and the very real risk that they would not be coming back every time they flew.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great research and a model of how to use original sources., November 25, 2006

By 

James Hammond (Guam, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Emotional Gauntlet: From Life in Peacetime America to the War in European Skies (Hardcover)

As an aspiring WW2 B-24 and 392nd BG researcher, I regard Wright as a real teacher in his use of archival and original sources. A review of the bibliography, notes and appendix is a quick education in how to use available research tools. Going thru the boxes of unit histories, Missing Air Crew Reports and German KU files on downed allied aircraft at the National Archives in Washington, DC, is something I also would like to do. His efforts in tracking people down by any means, including letters to very old addresses, is a new option for me. In addition Wright is a fine story teller and interesting to read.The Corky crew flew during the first half of 1944, some of the toughest, highest attrition missions as the 8th AF broke the Luftwaffe prior to D-Day. The detail of each crewman's life during the war and after is such a huge task, requiring years and years, very hard to put this down. Our father was a Lead Pilot in the 392nd BG, a few miles from Old Buckenham, and flew on these same missions, so this is indeed a special book for us.