Herman the German: Just Lucky I Guess [Paperback]

Gerhard Neumann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2004

Herman the German"This fascinating and amusing account of his life is told by a colorful and highly capable German who became one of America's most successful technical managers in the development of jet engines for aircraft."-David S. Lewis ChairmanGeneral Dynamics Corporation "Not only has Gerhard Neumann's life been filled with exotic and exciting adventures, but he was a highly successful engineer and executive-truly a superior individual and one of my favorite people."-Sanford N. McDonnellChairman, McDonnell Douglas Corporation "Readers of Gerhard's book will probably come to the same conclusion I formed while doing business with him; there is still room in industry for free spirits." -T. A. WilsonChairman, The Boeing Company

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The first time I met Gerhard Neumann was in Kunming, China, during World War II. Ever since I have been fascinated by the kaleidoscopic adventures crowding his life. After meeting my late husband, General Claire Lee Chennault, Gerhard joined the famous Flying Tigers, where he was known as "Herman the German." Paradoxically, although an enemy alien, Herman the German became a master sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps.Gerhard's engineering talents, his zest, his sense of humor, and his magnificent rapport with people at all levels won him the respect and affection of everyone who met him. General Bruce Holloway, former head of the Strategic Air Command and vice-chief of our Air Force, once said: "He was a gigantic asset to the operations over there in China. Having Gerhard as a line chief was like having Charles Kettering [General Motors' famous engineer and inventor] run the local Chevrolet maintenance shop."Neumann's phenomenal sense in assembling a Japanese Zero fighter plane and his work with the OSS in the Orient earned him his U.S. citizenship by act of Congress. After the war, a 10,000-mile Jeep trip across Asia with his American wife and dog, and an astonishing career as a maverick-type manager-he rose to head up General Electric's multibillion-dollar jet engine business-added more adventure and achievement to his amazing life.Gerhard Neumann represents that extraordinary blend of varied heritages, cultures and talents that has made America a country not only of the past but definitely of the future. by Anna Chennault

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141847925X
• ISBN-13: 978-1418479251
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You found gold., June 15, 2007

By 

Michael Simmons "thecarguru" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Herman the German: Just Lucky I Guess (Paperback)

Not enough good can be said about this book. Gerhard Nuemann's story is almost unbelievable. The only person in the history of the United States to have an Act of Congress passed to make him a citizen. The father of the Variable Stator jet engine, chief mechanic for the Flying Tigers, Executive Manager for GE's aircraft division,rebuilt the first Japanese Zero during WW II, auto mechanic, spy, and more. Nuemann is everything you would hope to read about in a CEO. A book you can't put down and when finished leaves you with a sense of awe. A true leader and the real foundation of GE.

5.0 out of 5 stars Herman the German - One of the Best You Will Ever Read, October 29, 2011

By 

M. Harmon "Retired Military Officer, Retired ... (Near MCAS, Cherry Point, NC, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Herman the German: Just Lucky I Guess (Paperback)

This is one of the best books you will ever read. It is the biography of Gerhard Neumann, "Herman the German." Neumann, a gifted mechanical engineer and a German Jew, fled the Nazis and Germany to work as an aviation mechanical engineer for the Chinese National Airline. He was there when WW II broke out. At that point, the American Volunteer Group, the Flying Tigers, came to China to fight the Japanese. The Flying Tigers needed mechanics and heard about "Herman the German." Although he was an enemy alien, he was so extraordinarily gifted that the Flying Tigers hired him as a civilian mechanic to work on American fighter aircraft. His technical skills, leadership qualities and personality were so amazing; however, that the impressed American officers took great care to keep him. They obtained permission to enlist Herman the German, an enemy alien, into the US Army Air Force! There, he became an Army Air Force master sergeant and an American citizen. So it was, that when the war ended, he went to the US with other demobilized troops, rather than back to Germany. Fantastic! But the rest of the story is even more so. An enemy alien German Jew stranded in China - not the brightest of futures. But as extraordinary as he was, his future was bound to be astonishing and outstanding. And his adventures did not end with demobilization, nor when he entered the US. Whatever the old book price is here, pay it! Your enjoyment of this story will be worth it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining, March 20, 2010

By 

Clark Deichler "nonsuit" (Ross, Ca) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Herman the German: Just Lucky I Guess (Paperback)

There is still hope in this world if it produces just a few men like Neumann. Not a book for those lacking a strong work ethic and drive. Definitely a book for those who believe they can accomplish almost everything.