Giants Over Korea: A Sky Too Far [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Lou Fulgaro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2003

The Korean War January 1952-A solitary B-29, flying low, its engines muffled by the night works its way through the bitter cold darkness over the Yellow Sea. Banking to the East, it cautiously approaches the Korean coast and slips unseen into the shadowy blackness over North Korea. Ahead, the sinister unknown lies in wait. So begins the first of two missions in Giants Over Korea. The first told from an enlisted crew member's point of view. Left over from World War II, this propeller driven giant, now tired and worn, is pressed into service and lumbers into a jet age air war. From the beginning of the Korea War to its end, it tirelessly flies missions inthe hostile skies so out classed and vulnerable to the deadly MiG that it cannot operate in the daylight but must hide in the darkness of night. From the muted vibrations of the airframe to the stark reality of death, each page contains anecdotes that intrigue and illuminate the experience of the few involved in the war that created the expression "the cold war." To the crews of these four engine giants, the Korean War was un-winnable and unforgettable. Although some call it the 'Forgotten War', the hostilities that began the conflict fifty years ago stills molder today. Giants Over Korea takes the reader on board a bombing B-29 and are con sortie in the mist of the conflict with remarkable depth. The bombing raid has a tragic beginning, and is told from the officers' perspective with frightening detail. Photographs from the author's own collection and articles from 'Stars and Stripes' supplement the narrative, documenting the little-known role played by the big war birds in the 'little war.' The author collected the photos and clippings a half century ago when was stationed on the island of Okinawa, the origin of the two missions.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The author became interested in the air war of World War II in his early teens. During summer vacations, he worked at a small civilian airport for flying lessons and at sixteen, before he learned to drive, he soloed in a light trainer. In the early stages of the Korean War, he enlisted in theAir Force serving in Europe and the Far East. He describes the experience as a Korean combat veteran and the place where he grew up. Honorably discharged in1953 he began a career in law enforcement. Most of his twenty-six years in law enforcement was spent as a Detective Sergeant and he retired as a Deputy Chief. He became a private detective licensed in four states dabbling in investigations to the age of seventy-one. He has written a book about his detective experiences (Probe, Poke, Pry, and Peek: Detecting the Detectable). He has owned several aircraft from a 175 HP Fairchild (The R46 and Little Louie) up to a 3400 HP twin engine B-25, (Barbie III and Company). He and his wife have four children and four grandchildren. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library; illustrated edition edition (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410770923
• ISBN-13: 978-1410770929
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,520,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Story salutes brave U.S. Air Crews, February 7, 2004

By 

B. Keith Mattox (Plainfield, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Giants Over Korea: A Sky Too Far (Paperback)

Giants over Korea details the dangerous flights over hostile territory during the Korean conflict. Fulgaro details the harrowing missions of the lumbering WWII vintage bombers in their deadly cat and mouse games with fast Chinese MIG jet fighters. Very technical but still an easy read. The author effectively uses great photographs and original news articles in the book.