Ford's "Flying Tigers" is the best, most thorough history of the American Volunteer Group I have read to date. It is an enjoyable read, rich in detail, and has just enough personal drama without compromising its historical integrity. Many reviewers have already focused on reviewing the book in general, but I'd like to focus on one particular application of the book: as a great source for a research paper.
First off, the AVG is an excellent topic for a research paper. World War II was such a big war, you can take an entire college-level class on the conflict and never hear the AVG mentioned (as I did), and professors tend to like it when their students choose a topic that was not covered extensively in class (said my professor: "I'm telling you right now, I do not want ANOTHER paper on D-Day").
Obviously, anyone writing a paper will want more than one source, but Ford has written an easily-comprehended and almost totally comprehensive book. I used roughly six sources for my 13-page paper, and of the 75+ citations I made Ford's book was in all but two of them.
Ford covers two areas primarily: the career of Claire Chennault up until the AVG disbanded, and the actions of the Flying Tigers while they were still the AVG. If your paper would need detailed information of the Sino-Japanese conflict leading up to 1941, or to cover anything after the AVG disbanded (note that the US Army force that moved in to replace the AVG also called themselves the "Flying Tigers, so don't be confused), you would need to read something else in addition to this book (such as
Into the Teeth of the Tiger
, which is a autobiography that documents a good chunk of the post-AVG conflict with cameos from major characters from Ford's book).
And, of infinite value to someone writing a paper, Ford's book features an extensive index and appendices for quick reference.
As far as sources go, Ford's book is hard to beat. If you are in a modern or military history class and are hunting for a topic, consider the AVG. Ford's book will make your life much easier.
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Non Stop Action!
“Flying Tigers; Claire Chennault and his American Volunteers, 1941-1942”; 3rd edition, revised 2023.Important Note: This is a review of the updated version of Ford’s most-excellent “Flying Tigers; Claire Chennault and the American Volunteer Group”; copyright 1991.If you are looking for action, Child has nothing on Dan Ford. From fast moving battles in the air by the AVG, Japanese, Chinese, and British aviators to air to ground action and ground action by Chinese, Japanese, British, and American forces, and Indian troops, this revised and updated version of Ford’s great 1991 release is the book for you.I was amazed by the damage a P-40 could sustain and keep flying and, in some cases, fighting. This book makes it clear that the ground crewmen were equally important in the never-ending fight to keep Tomahawks and Kittyhawks in the air using whatever they could salvage from planes that had either crashed or were so badly damaged in battle that they were no longer fit for service.I was also amazed at how quickly the ground crew could pack up and leave an airfield and establish another one.This book primarily concerns the pilots and their air battles. But I could feel the man behind the curtain pulling strings to keep the AVG in the air. From dealing with the irascible Chiang Kai-shek, to the real power behind the throne, Madame Chiang, all the while trying to beg, buy, borrow or steal men, equipment, and supplies from Washington power brokers, Army leaders and bureaucrats, and even the Royal Air Force.Claire Chennault was never a by-the-book officer. He sacrificed both rule and regulation for expediency in the battle to save China. He maneuvered around and often over US Army generals whenever he thought necessary to achieve his objectives.The 2023, revised edition of this book also contains information about Chennault’s tumultuous personal journey. Heros are humans first. I appreciated Daniel Ford's handling of this topic.
Top reviews from other countries
Robert G McPherson
One of the best accounts of the experiences of the Flying Tigers in ...
Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2018Maik Ruschek
Schnelle Lieferung - guter Gebrauchszustand.
Reviewed in Germany on July 12, 2018Ovidio Gentiloni
La storia intera e vera dei volontari americani in Cina
Reviewed in Italy on June 28, 2016