Customer Reviews

Rampant Lion: The Life of Eduard Ritter von Schleich - Germany's 'Black Knight' of WWI

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I bought this book in the hopes that I would learn more about a significant, but rather unknown WW1 pilot, and I was not disappointed. Whiteside has left no stone unturned during his research, accessing military records, personal memoirs, and previously published material. I think it was nice that the author left a lot of the minute details for the endnotes, as this helped the story of the 'Black Knight' to flow more freely. It is amazing to read about some of the private matters concerning this ace, and from this we get a good idea about his character and self-determination. As the last reviewer stated, he may have been a Nazi member, but this association did little to harm his reputation as he is known today. In fact, Schleich's dealings with the Nazi party only enhances the intrigue of this book. One thing the reader gets from reading this book is that von Schleich was highly motivated, and he very much enjoyed a good challenge.

There is a rather large appendix, which concisely spells out his military assignments, aerial victories, awards, ect. I especially liked the photo section (over 40 pages!). I found the images to be very interesting, adding even more detail to this already comprehensive account. Probably the best part about the book was the way it was organized; the chapters are broken-down into easily digestible parts - complete with sub-headings to tell the reader what the section is about.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in WW1 aviation, or even to those who enjoy reading about people whose lives were full of intrigue and danger.

"Rampant Lion" is a fitting testament to an honorable man whose life, though little-known even to WW1 aviation enthusiasts, was filled with aerial victories, defeats, triumphs and tragedies. Known as the Black Knight, the career and personal life of Eduard Ritter von Schleich are vividly brought to life by Darren Whiteside in this entertaining book. A coveted "Blue Max" recipient, von Schleich epitomized the classic Flying Ace of the early days of combat aviation. A victor in 35 air battles and a Jasta leader, he was also a Lufthansa pioneer and key figure in the rise of the Luftwaffe -- his association with the Nazi Party may be distateful to some readers, but as Whiteside's narrative explains, the Black Knight's love of his country made him an obvious recruit for what he perceived as a chance to bring Germany out of the ashes and humiliation of the First World War. Great photos, most of which will be unfamiliar even to die-hard fans of WW1 aviation, add to the appeal of this excellent book.

The Rampant Lion, the life story and the adventures of Eduard Ritter von Schleich is an in depth look into one of Germany's top flying ace's of WWI and WW2. It is a well written biography and an easy read. This book tells the story of his humble beginnings as a child in a small town in Bavaria, and his love and dedication to country. He joined military as a young man. He developed a keen interest in flying, and soon his talents were recognized by his superiors. During the first world war, his talent's as a leader and a top gun fighter pilot were soon recognized. His trouble's and his determintation soon gained him the title of "The Black Knight". This book is a must read for all people who admire men of honor and determination.