War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) [Paperback]

John MacGavock Grider (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

" . . . a tale of daring high adventure told from a unique viewpoint. . . . these men truly had the `Right Stuff.''"--Robert D. Norris, Jr.

(Robert D. Norris, Jr. )

About the Author

Elliot White Springs was John MacGavock Grider's best friend and fellow pilot during World War I. After the war he edited Grider's wartime diary, which was first published in 1926.

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: TAMU Press (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585440876
• ISBN-13: 978-1585440870
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,428,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Popular and Not Popular -- War in the Air WWI, August 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Paperback)

The Diary of Lt John M Grider, KIA in France, 1918, as amended and edited by his friend E.W. Springs. Springs believed it would add to the value of the book if he kept it anonymous and mysterious. The book was serialized in a popular magazine in 1926 and created a scandal because it depicts the American boys as womanizers, drinkers, etc. (the racist attitudes of the flyers caused no comment at the time). Later Griders sisters forced Springs to admit that the book was based on their brothers diary, although apparently Springs also included considerable material from his own letters home. Springs was a Princeton graduate from a wealthy family. He was a top pilot and received the DFC, shooting down 5 enemy planes. He wrote some other books but none as popular as this one. This book is gritty and tough, and depicts very well the descent from idealistic recruit to hardened and battle weary veteran.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth about the Air War of WWI, September 30, 2000

By 

"jamrom" (West Babylon, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Paperback)

Although little is written of the truth to the Air War in WWI, it is often offered to history as a time of chivalry amoungst the "Upper Class Gentleman" of WWI. Most sucessful pilots, that being anymore that 5 kills, were showered with metals and given the highest honors from their fatherlands. Deeming them, The Knights of The Skies. The truth is far from reality. This book of one young man's personal, daily recolection in it's original, unaltered text, depicts the Air War as it really was. Not only can you feel the excitement and astonishment in his mind as he earns his wings in flight school, you also experience the sadness and despair as he watches his squadmates perish and learns the veracity of war and death. Illustrated by Clayton Knight, whose sketches and paintings went on to become famous after the war, this book is a must for anyone who is interested in the true reality of The Air War of WWI.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars why don't they identify the author?, September 28, 2000

By 

richard ames (harpswell, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Paperback)

It was obvious from the wealth of information of those who served with the author that the identity is known. Why not disclose who wrote the diary? We share the experiences. We watch the aviator transform from a fun loving barn stormer to a machine that can only function when airborne. The end comes and you know it is coming, the author is crumbling, his attitude has changed, he operates by reflex and his judgement is impaired. (not by booze but battle fatigue has taken over} This is too real . . .