Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident [Paperback]

Francis Gary Powers (Author), Curt Gentry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

In this new edition of his classic 1970 memoir about the notorious U-2 incident, pilot Francis Gary Powers reveals the full story of what actually happened in the most sensational espionage case in Cold War history. After surviving the shoot-down of his reconnaissance plane and his capture on May 1, 1960, Powers endured sixty-one days of rigorous interrogation by the KGB, a public trial, a conviction for espionage, and the start of a ten-year sentence. After nearly two years, the U.S. government obtained his release from prison in a dramatic exchange for convicted Soviet spy Rudolph Abel. The narrative is a tremendously exciting suspense story about a man who was labeled a traitor by many of his countrymen but who emerged a Cold War hero.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The incident that wrecked a summit conference and inaugurated a new era in the ancient art of spying

About the Author

Francis Gary Powers served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and completed twenty-seven U-2 photographic reconnaissance missions for the CIA, including several overflights of the Soviet Union, until shot down by a Soviet surface-to-air missile on May 1, 1960. Upon his return to the United States in 1962, he flew the U-2 as an engineering test pilot for Lockheed Aircraft. Powers died in a helicopter crash in 1977.

Curt Gentry has written or contributed to many books, including Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders and J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets. He lives in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574884220
• ISBN-13: 978-1574884227
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An espionage reader, September 21, 2004

By 

Rich (Georgia, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident (Paperback)

Enjoyed it immensely. A hard to put down, revealing look at this historical, military, political event of the 1960's. Covering some of Power's CIA training, U2 overflights, downing & capture, Russian trial(farse), imprisonment, possible Oswald & other defectors connection to the U2 shoot down, repatriation through a trade of a pro Russian, US held spy and some of Power's life afterwards.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The U-2 Incident with Francis Gary Powers:, July 19, 2006

By 

Trish Schiesser (Portsmouth, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident (Paperback)

The Flt of the U-2 is a most inspiring book. I sat on the edge of my seat while reading it and finished it in one sitting wishing there was more to read, but happy that the Russians got their "just day in court" and finally Francis Gary Powers was exchanged for Rudolph Abel. Such a high flying plane, to be shot out of the skies, is unreal to me - what went wrong? No matter what Powers' wrote, we will never know the complete truth, will we? Thank God he came home safe, as he *almost* gave his life for his country. A well done book and may he rest in peace as his son recounts his father's service to his country. God Bless. Trish Schiesser, whose brother SSGT Phil Noland served in the USAFSecurity Service during the time Powers took off and went missing in Russia.
A fine, well written book. I am glad it is out again.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Powers ...A small town American...., June 24, 2009

By 

L. Baron Deel (Roanoke Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident (Paperback)

The book is a great reading however it was no accident that little is said about his boyhood home town. Gary was from Pound, Virginia a town so small you can hold your breath from one end to the other. Very quaint and wonderfull people. Its located on the boarder of Virginia and Kentucky state lines. My family and I were from this area and are well familuar with it. The CIA most likely saw him as a dedicated man that they could mold as they needed and yet still keep him and others on a "need to know basis" only. Thank God they did! Russia new it all the time. Most likely the shock wave resonating on the minamalist wing of the U2 was all it took. A milisecond later he was transformed from his cacoon like cockpits safety to being injected into a near zero atmosphear, subzero climate. He would have been killed instantly "which most likely Gary and others knew however the stars lined up and he was spared by a hairs breath. The book is definately a need to have if you enjoy reading about American war strugles and hero's as Gary Powers was.