Customer Reviews

Rickenbacker, An Autobiography

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I may have hated Ben Franklin's autobiography, but by loving this book so much it proves I have nothing against autobiograhies. I guess because you hear of Franklin so much and he lived so long ago you'd expect him to tell you something worth hearing. EVR, on the other hand, I had never heard of before reading the book so I had no expectations whatsoever. Ed lived an incredible life and even if only half of the book was true the same could be said(some of the stuff he tells about is so fantastic that it sounds like it can;t possibly be true - like survivin in a raft in the middle of the ocean in the midst of WWII with no food or water for a month and living to tell about it.) The best part was early on when he flew in WWI. Some of his finncial whellings and dealings seem irrelevant, but they can be skimmed with no loss to the story. His rise to success while remaining basically a normal person is pretty inspirational. A must read.

Not only does this book have all the inspirational and motivational aspects mentioned in the other reviews, it is also exciting and amazing! The close calls that Rickenbacker had often during his life make for an exceptional story of a wonderful role model--plus a fast-moving plot. This book, although dealing with many serious subjects maintains a positive tone full of compassion and a love of life. I first read this book when I was 10 or 11 and have been reading it regularly ever since. Many of my friends, as teenagers, have also found this an incredible and enjoyable book. Definitely a must read!

This is one of my favorite books of all time. The autobiography of a true American Hero. From being Ace of Aces in WWI, surviving on a life raft in WWII, racing cars, running an airline. What an amazing story. Some of his political views are rather dated (and even objectionable), but the story of his life is truly amazing and inspiring.

When this book was first recommended to me I was a bit skeptical. Evan though I was a Rickenbacker fan I wondered if an autobiography would be worth the time. Man was I wrong; this is without a doubt the most interesting and honest auto that I have ever read. This book tells the story of a man who did what he thought was right and always stuck to his convictions.

One thing that stands out is Eddie's work ethic. Throughout his life Eddie rises to the top by simply putting in more effort than everyone else. But he wasn't motivated by his own paycheck. In fact he takes a cut in pay time and time again so he can move into a different industry or department. When he reaches the top of that ladder he goes and finds another one to climb.

But the most noticable thing about this amazing indivivdual is that he LIVED. He never wasted his time complaining or watching the world go by; but was instead leading the way at the head of the pack. He was always looking for new innovations and better, more efficient, safer ways to do things. When he was running Eastern Airlines he traveled all of the routes frequently and talked to as many people in every department that he could all the way down to the most menial jobs. He even worked to improve the hospitals in the areas around Eastern's terminals in the case or an airline accident. During this period Eastern Airlines was the only airline to show a profit while never accepting government subsidies. This autobiography is a great account of the life of a man that lived to the fullest in the midst of amazing adversity and I would highly recomment it.

(...)

I enjoyed it as a teenager who had never heard about Rickenbacker, and I've enjoyed it as an adult.

To me, reading this book is like sitting at the foot of one's grandfather. He doesn't care about political correctness, he is somewhat out of touch with what's in and what's out, he's both old fashioned and thinking about the future, he speaks openly and directly without caring what people think, and he tells the most interesting and incredible stories. He isn't modest, and often comes across as arrogant -- but like a grandfather who tells great stories, you accept the fact that here is a man who has a lot to be immodest about!

(...)

Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography is a book that needs to be rediscovered. Published in the late 60's, it is ripe for a new audience. Told in a straightforward yet compelling manner, this autobiography has a warmth and passion that will make you disappointed to finish the book.

I borrowed "Rickenbacker" from my hometown public library as a kid and was engrossed for nearly 450 pages. You need 450 pages to tell your story if you're a quintessential American like Rickenbacker. From the first line ("My life has been filled with adventures that have brought me face to face with death") this book takes you through "Lucky Eddie's" amazing experiences: child of immigrants, race car driver in the early 1900's, leader of the famed "Hat in the Ring Squadron" and America's Ace of Aces in World War I, Car company founder, President of Eastern Airlines who was aboard the first Eastern Airliner that crashed... and survived only to go down in the Pacific visiting the troops in World War II and spend 24 days on a life raft with 6 others.

More importantly, Rickenbacker highlights the character values and beliefs that propelled his life: the values of hard-working immigrant parents combined with the boundless opportunity of America.

After 40 years, I had to find a copy of Rickenbacker to keep on my shelves for my kids and grandkids to read. Let's hope someone will republish this book. As the flyleaf notes, Eddie Rickenbacker was a legend in his own lifetime. And boy, can he tell a story!

This book is absolutely incredible. It is a must read for any American citizen. It should be required reading for all school children. Although I knew who Rickenbacker was, I had no idea he was THIS influential to the development of America as we know it today. What is amazing are his predictions for the future in the last chapter. Published in 1967, many of them are bulls-eye accurate for today. Simply awesome.

If I could own just two books, the Autobiography by Edward Vernon Rickenbacker would be one of them! If you are interested in living life to the fullest and reaching your goals, read his book.

This autobiography graphically illustrates a man of excellent character, who took his opportunities as they were presented to him by God. He is a REAL man. If you want to see how God lived on earth through the eyes of one specific man, just read the story of Eddie Rickenbacker written in his own words!

In recalling his life, Mr. Rickenbacker shows us how he focused ALL his energies, abilities, talents, and time into whatever excellent opportunities were given to him -- and there were many. By doing so, he helped many people in a lasting way and enjoyed his life TO THE FULLEST. He reached his goals. This book is a true success story.

Young readers of this book will be captivated by Mr. Rickenbacker and his courageous, exciting, real-life experiences. The book is full of the presence of a wonderful role model, expecially for young men. This man is helping to mould many people's lives through his autobiography.

Mr. Rickenbacker was highly motivated and disciplined in his physical, mental, and spiritual being. He tells the stories which show us how he expected the best out of himself, pressed himself to the limit, and succeeded! I had always heard about Eddie Rickenbacker, but did not realize the extent of his amazing life until I read his autobiography! I won't reveal any of the details, so a surprise is waiting for you at every turn of the page!

Truly the world is a better and a happier place because Mr. Rickenbacker lived! My life is permanently changed for the better by his life and its story. I give his book at least a billion stars!

I've read Eddie Rickenbacker's autobiography several times over my life and have been struck by various ideas at different points. When I read it at twelve it was simply a marvelous and very readable adventure story. At sixteen, when I'd begun to possess the faintest glimmerings of self awareness, what instead struck me was EVR's incredible will to survive and thrive. Everything from his survival as a pilot during WW1 and his stranding in the Pacific to his successful business dealings seemed to flow from a deep well of determination and the willingness to use his mind and equip it with the best tools possible. Now a decade further down the line I'm struck by more ephemeral things. The spirit of hopefulness and belief that the future WILL be better because one has the power to make it better is a nice contrast to the ugly cynicism and fatalism that seems to pervade our culture. Finally I'm impressed by how clear sighted many of his predictions were. It isn't so surprising that he should be able to see advances in the automotive and aircraft industries but his presaging of the upheavals of race relations in the later 60s (though they turned out far better than he predicted) the idiocy of U.S. foreign policy which continues (to fail) even today, the rise of Japan, the ambitions of the P.R.C., and the bloody chaos of Africa are all mentioned. a remarkable man and a remarkable life, I intend to revisit this book for many more decades!

I had read this book back in high school and found it a very good read.and when I found out that captain Eddie was a Ohio boy as myself it was even better.I had always wanted this nook in my personal collection.and when I found it autographed by the captain I jumped on it. Very pleased withe book and the seller and will buy again from them