Customer Reviews

Falcons of France (Flight, Its First Seventy-Five Years)

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For anyone interested in the air war of WWI, I have to recommend "Falcons of France." A wonderful read from the first page on. All the drama of friends, combat, capture and escape are in it. And when your done with "Falcons of France," you must read "Fighting the Flying Circus" by Eddie Rickenbacker. The two books parallel each other until the mid point and then go off in two directions. I got a better understanding of "Fighting the Flying Circus" after reading "Falcons of France." I highly recomend "Falcons of France."

WHEN I WAS IN JR. HIGH SCHOOL IN HOUSTON IN 1964, THIS WAS THE FIRST NOVEL I EVER READ. IT LAUNCHED ME ON A LIFETIME OF READING AND A LOVE OF HISTORY. IT'S TREATMENT OF THE "HERO" ALLOWS ALL OF US TO RELATE TO HIM. HE IS JUST A PLAIN YOUNG MAN WITH AVERAGE ABILITIES, AND HAS AVERAGE SUCESS IN THE COCKPIT, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT HE STAYS ALIVE.

THE BOOK TRACES THE EXPLOITS OF CHARLES SELDEN FROM THE TRENCHES THROUGH FLIGHT TRAINING, THE LAFFAYETTE ESCADRILLE, AND INTO THE U.S. ARMY FLYING CORPS WHERE HE IS SHOT DOWN AND CAPTURED. THE BOOK CLOSES WITH HIS ESCAPE AND RETURN.

THE REGULAR MEN AND WOMEN AND THE HEROS OF HISTORY ARE VIVIDLY PORTRAYED TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU SEEM TO KNOW THEM ALL AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH CHARLES SELDEN. IT'S 1999 NOW AND I HAVE ONLY AVERAGE MEMORY, BUT I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN THIS SPECIAL BOOK EVEN THOUGH I'VE NOT READ IT SINCE 1964. IT'S THAT GOOD.

Falcons of France is a novel of flying, World War I, growing up, and the moralities of the time. Written by two American veterans of the Escadrille Layfayette (who later wrote Mutiny On The Bounty), both the action of battle and the routine of the aerodrome are immediately believable. I first read Falcons of France as a teenager, barely younger than the novels characters. Having reread it numerous times over the years since, the saga still facinates, still captivates, and still ends sooner than I would wish. Reading this novel is the closest any of us will ever come to being a young World War I fighter pilot struggling to stay alive in the skies over France.

I first read this book when I was in grade school, a long time ago. I have reread it several times since, always from the library. I believe this book got me interested in history and aviation. I even remember when I was very young going to a flying field and seeing barnstormers in their Jenny's offering rides at $5 for 3 minutes. It was just like WW1.I must have been all of 5 years old. I only bought my copy of the book after finding it at a used book sale. It is still one of my favorite book.

This was probably the first "grown up" novel I ever read way back in sixth grade. It has always stuck with me. Trying to find a copy has been a bear though. If you like historical novels and can find a copy of this one; you won't be disappointed!!

This was the first "real" book I read as a kid. From 4th grade through senior year, I read it every Christmas break. I had thought of the book often but, until my sister alerted me to its availability on Amazon, I had not pursued it. I just read it again and was taken once again by its civility in telling the tale of World War I. Written in 1929, it stands the test of time. Reading a book written at a time not far removed from its actual events gives it such legitimacy and intimacy. If you want to encourage your son to embark on the adventure of reading, this would be a good place to start.