Customer Reviews

Richthofen: A True History of the Red Baron

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I was able to obtain a copy of this book while it was still in print back in 1975 after initially finding it in a public library. At the time of it's publication (1969) there was a rash of interest in First World War aviation with a number of other books on Richthofen and Jack Hunter's book The Blue Max which was subsequently translated to film.

Mr Burrows' book - which is an expansion of a Richthofen profile originally written for the New York Times Magazine - seems to me to be more of a psychological profile of how the myth created by the name "Richthofen" over the decades is still engrained in the minds of a lot of us. The author himself said that during the writing he was often asked whether he "liked" Richthofen, implying that with such a character one must either be for or against him.

And this is where the book's interest lies for me. In addition to telling the story of the Red Baron's life in a compelling way, the history is then carried through to our own time where the imagery takes on a new form; in the 71'st Fighter Wing of the German air force that is named after Richthofen, to the character in the Peanuts comic strip and sketches of Americans Pat Carisella and Charles Donald whose obsession with the Baron ended up with them turning their homes into veritable Richthofen Museums and Libraries.

The book was the source of much obsession for myself when I first discovered it 25 years ago, and I believe it to be an indespensible cornerstone and stepping-stone for those interested in continuing deeper studies into this subject.

I discovered this book in a public library several years ago and it opened up an incredible world for me. Since then, my fascination with the Red Baron and WWI aviation in general has increased tremendously. It is still my favorite Richthofen book because of the way the material is handled and the way he draws you in to Richthofen's world. I would definitely reccommend it to anyone interested in the Red Baron.

This is by far the one of the more thought provoking books on the Von Richthofen, The 'Rote Kampflieger' of Germany. It is well planned and rich in detail. However, I get the feeling that certain implications are made about Von Richthofen and his legend. It is implicated that his use to the Imperial propoganda machine blew his actual talents out of propotion. I find this hard to believe, Richthofen was , in an age where simply being in the air was daring, the highest scoring ace in World War I. True , he had his importance to the propoganda machine of Imperial Germany to boost morale, but to imply that his aerial acheivements were to a certain degree blown out of proportion is unbelievable. Apart from this the book paints a very clear picture of the man , psychologically we also get an insight of Von Richthofen. His 80 kills were legendary , 'bloody april' for the British air force was painful indeed. Not until the Second World War would someone, Werner Molders infact , surpass him and reach the 100 mark. Even then , Von Richthofen , after all these years is fascinating. Burrows has written a book which does justice to Von Richthofen.

This book is a very interesting! It holds your intersest throughout the book. The author acts as if you already know everything, when you may not know nothing. A very easy yet amazing book to read! Get it if at all possible!!!!!

"Richthofen: A True History of the Red Baron" by William Burrows is by far, the best book ever writtenon the subject of Manfred von Richthofen. This is THE book on Richthofen. It is full of detail, description, careful planning. Beginning with Richthofen's triumph over Hawker, continuing on with perfection. A must read for anyone intrested in Richthofen, or World War One aviation in general.