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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heroically Understated Account of WWI Aerial Warfare,
By
This review is from: No parachute: A fighter pilot in World War I: letters written in 1917 by Lt. A. S. G. Lee;
This is a work that deserves to be re-printed. It is accessible by the layman, and its aerial combat sequences are clearly written. The author has a pleasing writing style, and he does not fall into the self-worship that sometimes afflicts the writing of combat fliers. Lee effectively communicates the gallantry and the hopelessness of aerial combat without a parchute.One of the most fascinating parts of the book is Lee's exploration of the irrational, purely negligent, decision not to equip pilots with parachutes. Parachutes were available prior to the war and were used by balloon-observors throughout the struggle and German aviators in the last year. Due to simple, murderous bureacratic inattention, pilots went to their deaths who could have been saved by a bundle of silk. Finally, Lee's work is the only one I know of that takes up the ground attack role of aircraft in the First World War. This is often thought to be a development of the Second World War, but Lee provides details of the tactics and missions flown by his unit in this vital role.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent book for the aviation enthusiast.,
By A Customer
This review is from: No Parachute: A Fighter Pilot in World War I (Wings of war) (Hardcover)
This book is a compilation of letters and diary entries. They were made in the heat of the day, and through their immediacy let the reader feel what is was like to be a fighter pilot in 1917.Lee tells us of how cold it was while on patrol at 20,000 feet and how peaceful the trenches seemed. Later we learn how stressful it was to be tasked with with ground attacks in a Camel. The reader also learns about all the little things in a pilot's life, like shooting frogs in a pond and partying like there was no tomorrow. And burying your squadron mates with frightening regularity. This book is simply written, and makes no pretext of being a significant historical work. What is does, and does so well, is tell the story of the average joe trying to stay alive in the skies of the Western Front. It is a story that will stay with you.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Too bad it's out of print.,
This review is from: No Parachute: A Fighter Pilot in World War I (Wings of war) (Hardcover)
A fine work like this is timeless. You really got a feel for what it was like to be in an old biplane during the First War. This story was totally believable too, with no bragging or exaggerated accounts of heroics or daring-do. An honest diary account of what a typical fighter pilot endured during those hazard filled days. Too often we think of WW I dogfighting as glamorous and exciting with the Red Baron zipping across the skies. This book will make you feel like you've really been there.
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