Customer Reviews

Republic's P-47 Thunderbolt: From Seversky to Victory

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(1)
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This thoroughly researched book traces the industrial/developement history of the P-47 and its Seversky predecessors. The author gives very interesting insight on the decision making process within the Air Force and the industry. Of course such a detailled book about the development and technical aspects of the P-47 precludes the author from going in depth in the operationnal history of the type, but that's what most other books about the "Jug" are covering. Especially foreign service of the type is lacking, a trait typical of most american authors. To help prospective buyers, I would compare this excellent work about the P-47 with an 1980 book about the P-51 by former 8th AF ace Leonard "Kit" Carson, titled Pursue and Destroy. M. Bodie has also written a very good book about the P-38. Paper quality and photo reproduction are excellent. To sum up, if you're interested in the P-47, buy this book.

Warren M. Bodie's book on the Seversky aircraft and the P-47 Thunderbolt is a very well researched work that contains a lot of surprising material and corrects errors present in older sources. The book is primarily a technical and development history, although it includes a summary of combat operations. It is rich both in text and in pictures, and makes an effort to put things in their historical context. The author has strong opinions and expresses them with a lot conviction. A weakness of the book is the meandering writing style, which imparts a certain repetitiveness and a lack of chronological order. It is also clear that while the author has all the facts about the P-38, P-47, Lockheed, Seversky and Republic, he makes some serious errors when stepping outside this field, including some that could easily have been prevented. Perhaps some corrections are in order in the next edition --- but this one is certainly worth buying.

I have been studying the great fighter planes of the WWII European Theatre for over 15 years. Based on historical facts and pilot stories, I have come to admire the Thunderbolt. It is the forgotten fighter, in my opinion, for the more glamorous P-51. However, Warren Bodie shows how the "Jug" came into being as well as how its pilots used it. While his writing style may wonder a bit, his incredibly factual presentation of the greatest fighter-bomber of all time will answer every question you ever had about the Thunderbolt.

As a "JUG" buff of many years, I can say hands down this book is the most comprehensive resource on the development and war-time history of the P-47! A must read for the Thunderbolt fanatic!