Vantage Points: A Novel of Men and Women in World War II [Paperback]

Kenneth Libbey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

The extraordinary years of World War II unfold through the eyes of three people, who confront challenges and opportunities they had not imagined.Louise Mitchell learned to fly when she was 19, but for 11 years, she has done little more than give people rides at a small airfield near Sioux City, Iowa. Then a letter arrives with news that a squadron of women pilots is being formed to deliver planes for the Army.Tom Clark has worked for Franklin Roosevelt for more than a decade. As the threat of war looms, he becomes the eyes and ears of the president on a variety of missions. Anne Wilson, a beautiful and brilliant journalist, returns from defeated France to take a job with the Washington Post and resumes her romance with Tom. They are discussing their future together when the news of Pearl Harbor arrives.In this carefully researched novel, we meet numerous historical figures, including Claire Chennault of the Flying Tigers, and Nancy Love, leader of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. A thoroughly enjoyable way to absorb history!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...weaves the history of World War II in a fresh, new way..." -- Nancy Parrish, WASP on the Web

"An engaging and entertaining novel." -- Emily Balestrini, Aerogirl.com

"weaves the history of WWII in a fresh new way...and makes it seem almost as if 'you are there.'" -- Wings Across America - WASP on the Web

An engaging and entertaining novel. -- Aerogirl.com

About the Author

Ken Libbey has a Ph.D. from Syracuse University and taught political science at the University of Cincinnati. For 20 years, he evaluated government programs for the Congress as a member of the U.S. General Accounting Office. This is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595168485
• ISBN-13: 978-0595168484
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,984,338 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable fast-paced WWII novel with broad appeal, April 12, 2001

By 

Kenneth S. Smith (Goleta, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vantage Points: A Novel of Men and Women in World War II (Paperback)

This is a fine first novel about flying, romance, and people caught up in great events. The main character, Louise Mitchell, is an exceptional pilot and when the opportunity presents itself, she becomes a member of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron ( WAFS, later called the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots, or WASPs). Louise spends much of the war delivering everything from slow trainers to hot fighters from factories and airfields to where they are needed. This book honors the many women that did a dangerous job and a great service for their country. Because of them, many male pilots were freed to go off to war where they were desperately needed. The WASPs did a thankless job and got little or no recognition for their service until recent times. When the war was nearing its end, they were dismissed pretty cold-heartedly with no future and none of the benefits that were afforded to other veterans. The other main characters are Tom Clark, an advisor to President Roosevelt, and Anne Wilson, a war correspondent. Tom is sent on several fact-finding missions around the world and along the way he meets with such greats as MacArthur, Chennualt, Churchill, and Stalin. Tom's dialogues with Roosevelt and the reasoning behind some of the decisions made at the highest levels are fascinating and probably close to reality. Anne, the consummate reporter, finds ways to be near the action in North Africa and Europe and becomes a highly respected correspondent for the truthful descriptions of the action and the men on the front lines. Anne, Louise, and Tom spend the war traveling and when their paths cross, the consequences are sometimes poignant and not always predictable. This a great book for a rainy Saturday night. I found it engaging enough to read in one sitting. The story is interesting and the characters seem very real. Mr. Libbey has his facts right and the reader will learn some interesting history about great historical figures and the political considerations behind some of the most important decisions about the conduct of the war.