Serenade to the Big Bird [Paperback]

Bert Stiles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1984 | ISBN-10: 0553239856 | ISBN-13: 978-0553239850 | Edition: First Thus

After completing a tour of duty (thirty-five missions) in B-17s, Bert Stiles transferred to a fighter squadron. Just four months later he was killed in action on an escort mission to Hanover, Germany, on November 26, 1944. Stiles' book was written in the period between his two tours. Serenade to the Big Bird portrays the tragedy of war, and specifically the loss to the world of a fine, sensitive, talented writer who had only a short time to prove his merit. He died at twenty-three.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Bert Stiles was a prolific and highly talented writer. While still in college he had several stories published in the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers and other magazines. He was way ahead of his time. He wrote about The United Nations while it was still in the planning stage. He wrote about racial inequities and the environment long before such topics were popular. His college classmate Roland Dickison and Robert Cooper have collected many of his manuscripts and published them in separate publications. When we consider that Bert Stiles died at the young age of twenty three, the magnitude and scope of his writing is truly outstanding. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Bert Stiles was a highly talented writer who flew as a pilot with the United States Army Air Corps. He first flew a tour of duty as a co-pilot in heavy bombers with the 91st Bomb Group. After completing his tour of duty he volunteered for another tour of duty in fighter aircraft. He was assigned to a P-51 Squadron. However, he took one month off during the late summer of 1944 and wrote Serenade to the Big Bird. Tragically, three months later he was killed in action on an escort raid to Hanover. His mother recovered the manuscript from his personal effects an acquired a publisher. Serenade to the Big Bird was first published in 1947. Now in its fifth printing, it has become a classic tale of the air war in Europe. Bert Stiles tells the story as it was, while it was happening.

The author is buried in the Ardennes Cemetery near Liege Belgium. One hundred four fallen airmen from the 91st Bomb Group are buried beside Bert Stiles in this military cemetery. Though their lips are stilled, Bert's words live on, and he has become the unofficial spokesman for every one of his fallen comrades. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books (Mm); First Thus edition (March 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553239856
• ISBN-13: 978-0553239850
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,426,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Cut Short, A Great Writer Silenced. A Must Read., February 16, 2001

By 

Rob Morris (Idaho Falls, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serenade to the Big Bird (Hardcover)

While researching a WWII novel and history book myself, I asked a number of former 8th Air Force fliers which novel about the air corps experience over Europe was best, only two novels were ever mentioned. One, "Twelve O'Clock High" has become a classic. The other, "Serenade to the Big Bird", I had never heard of. I found a copy and read it. Bert Stiles was a college student from Denver, Colorado who became a B17 co-pilot in the 8th Air Force. His writing style is similar to Ernest Hemingway, probably because Hemingway was popular at the time Stiles wrote. In direct, simple prose, Stiles describes the life of an Air Corps Officer, both on the ground and in the air. He pulls no punches. The death is rarely glorious, but the young men are no less heroic. The theme of emptiness is played out over and over...empty beds after a mission, the empty hardstand for the plane that didn't come back. Stiles was obviously a very sensitive individual with a gift for observation and description. The book is short but very concentrated. Rarely does Stiles waste a word. The sheer terror, the SNAFUS, the occasional funny moments, the doubts- all are described here. One of the reasons Bert Stiles' book is so eloquent is that his is a voice from the past--his usage and slang are from the forties. It is a book written by a very young man. Stiles finished his tour and took some time to write "Serenade to the Big Bird". He then volunteered as a fighter pilot, and was shot down and killed shortly after he finished the book. In a way, this is as much a story of a life unfullfilled as anything else. What kind of writer might Bert Stiles have become had he lived? After reading this book, I was left thinking he would have become a great one. This is his only work. It is a must read for anyone interested in the air war and the men who fought it. It is a must read for anyone who wants to read a great writer.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bert Stles, a real hero, June 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Serenade to the Big Bird (Hardcover)

1st Lt Bert Stiles was killed in action November 26 1944 while flying an escort mission to Hanover. He is buried in the Ardennes National Cemetery near Liege Belgium. Bert completed a tour of duty (35 missions) in heavy bombers during the spring and summer of 1944. He flew with the 91st Bomb Group out of Bassingbourn, England. Instead of returning to the United States, he volunteered for a tour of duty in fighters. Subsequently he was assigned to the 339th Fighter Group and flew the North American P-51 fighter. However, he took one month off from combat in the late summer of 1944 and wrote his classic story, SERENADE TO THE BIG BIRD. Tragically he was killed in action about three months later. Reportedly, he was a victim of `Target Fixation' and chased an enemy plane he was following too close to the ground. His mother recovered the manuscript from his effects and acquired a publisher. The extraordinary literary talent of Bert Stiles is undeniable. However, his ability to remain objective while actively participating in a bloody conflict shows the strength, true courage and dedication of the man. Roger Freeman writer and historian of the Eighth Air Force gave credit to the valuable contribution of Bert Stiles when he stated, "Bert Stiles has become the unofficial spokesman for all Americans who flew with the Eighth Air Force." This is true. SERENADE TO THE BIG BIRD tells the story as it was, while it was happening. A total of one hundred fourteen men from the 91st Bomb Group lie buried beside Bert Stiles in the Ardennes Cemetery. Though their lips are stilled, Bert's words live on, and he speaks for every one of his fallen comrades. SERENADE TO THE BIG BIRD was first published in England in 1947. It generated a loyal following of European admirers. Eric Dominicus, a Belgian who made a pilgrimage to the Ardennes Cemetery to honor the fallen flier, made the above photo. Eric reports, "I read aloud the last chapter from Bert's fine book. It was an emotional moment!"

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serenade To The Big Bird by Bert Stiles: a must read, January 6, 2002

By 

John W Jacobs (Plainview, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serenade to the Big Bird (Paperback)

In 1969 I had the pleasure to visit with Richard White a co-pilot in a B-17 during World War II. His plane was shot down over Berlin in 1944 and he spent some months in a German Stalag. He told me that if I really would like to know how it was that I should read this book. I have read it. It is awesome! It is written in a style that had me totally engrossed from start to finish.