Customer Reviews

The Long Way Home

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

 

 

This book is a good addition to the library of any serious student of Pan Am's great history. In these days of mass production, we don't think of one aircraft as a national asset. But the owners and operators of this one did, and rightly so. Only 12 B-314 flying boats were built and they played a critical support role in all theaters of WWII. This author has a clear and direct style. The description of the difficult take-off from the Congo River put you right on the flight deck. This book would actually make a good movie. As you read this account, you cannot help but think of what present day air travellers owe these pioneers. And, you also will have one more reason to say thanks to the WWII generation.

If you are interested in historical events during the World War II era, or if you are a fan of the Boeing B-314, or the Pan Am Clippers in general, you will enjoy this book. It is obvious that Mr. Dover has done a great deal of research (including interviews with actual participants) in order to present an accurate, detailed account. What this book lacks in sparkling dialogue, it more than makes up for with interesting details. As a former Pan Am B-314 crew member, Mr. Dover is in a unique position to relate this tale with historical accuracy. I am glad he took on this project, and invested the time and effort necessary to research and record this account for future generations.

I have always been a big fan of the Boeing B-314 and of Pan Am. When I heard a book about the big airliners ordeal at the dawn of World War II, I immediately picked up a copy. I'm glad I did.

A quick synopsis: The Pan-Am airliner Pacific Clipper was enroute to New Zealand from San Francisco at the exact moment the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In an effort to save the aircraft and crew, the decision was made to fly the plane from New Zealand to New York the long way via India, Africa and South America; something that this type of aircraft had never done before.

Mr. Dover did a tremendous job of research for this book and it shows. "The Long Way Home" touches on the well-known details as well as the personal stories that made up this incredible adventure. Although I had read brief articles about the clipper's around-the-world flight before, I found many fascinating nuggets of new information. The spotting of a Japanese submarine in the Indian Ocean is just one example.

The only things that keep this book from being a five are some glaring spelling errors and Mr. Dover's occaisionally flat narration.

A fascinating read that is just begging for a movie to made from it.

I bought the third edition of this book directly from the author himself via Amazon - it was seven days from placing the order to receiving the book. Very impressive shipping time USA to Australia!!

I devoured the book in two sittings! It has one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen on a book, and the content is succinct, informative, and fairly well written. While you know the outcome (as the story has been covered in much briefer form before), the fun is getting there - and finding out all the little details that weren't available before.

My only minor criticism would be that the editing could have been slightly better. At one point, a crew members wife is mentioned by name and it wasn't when she was introduced - that was a bit jarring. There are a couple of little things like that!

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in Pan Am, the great flying boats, airline history, or someone just after a good tale!

I found this book to be very engrossing and well-done in capturing the flavor of the life and times of the early 1940s. I had the opportunity to communicate with the author by e-mail and found him to be very personable and enthusiastic on the subject of aviation. He impressed me with his period knowledge of flying and airplanes.

Very interesting, little known piece of history. Trials and tribulations of an aircrew at the outbreak of WWII. The story line is worthy of a movie but the dialogue, admittedly created by the author,is elementary at best. That fault detracts from the enjoyment one should get from reading such a wonderful slice of aviation history.

I bought this for my brother who is an airline pilot, but read it myself in a single night. This is a "documentary" true story, but it reads like the best adventure thriller and should be made into a movie. Heroism, the kind of quiet bravery so common in wartime, and a fun look at cultures and bygone times around the world, the author knows how to bring color to history and share details that matter while not letting mere reportage get in the way of a "ripping yarn" of a story. Aviation buffs, WWII history lovers, and even people who enjoy tales of travel in a bygone age of luxury will especially enjoy the book.

IMPORTANT NOTE: While the price is more or less the same from all vendors on Yahoo, the AUTHOR HIMSELF offers the book with the latest revisions AND will autograph it for you---turning a great read into a sure-fire collector's item for the same price. He's also an interesting guy who I had some follow-up email with re. the books' details. Thanks!

A little known saga at the beginning of WW2. A Clipper, a flying boat airliner, was deep in the Pacific when Pearl Harbor was attacked. With the way to California blocked by the war zone, the plane flew west. India, Africa, the whole works. Not a combat story but still of great interest. I heard about this book a few years ago and wanted ever since. Not long but a good read.

The "Long Way Home" by Ed Dover is an excellent book. Mr. Dover helped an aviation and history lover like me vicariously experience an amazing adventure. I was thoroughly entranced by this book and found it very educational. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves flying or WWII history.