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Hap Arnold: The General Who Invented the US Air Force Hardcover – October 14, 2013

by Bill Yenne (Author)

32 customer reviews

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General Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold is widely considered the father of the United States Air Force. But his long list of accomplishments doesn’t begin or end there. He was also the first and only five-star general of the US Air Force; one of the first US military aviators; the first American to carry air mail; and the architect of the war-winning air strategy of World War II.

In this new biography of one of the American military’s most towering figures, author Bill Yenne weaves the story of Hap Arnold’s life, from his youthful days as a cunning prankster to his sunset career as an elder statesman. All along, Yenne unfolds General Arnold’s life like the adventure story it is. A bold advocate for technological advancement, Hap Arnold was a powerful character in the golden age of aviation, an innovative warrior in the conflict that defined the modern era, and the creator of an entirely new branch of the US military.

Hap Arnold: The General Who Invented the US Air Force is a page-turning adventure biography for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the events that shaped America and the world in the first half of the twentieth century.

Hap Arnold: The General Who Invented the US Air Force

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About the Author

Bill Yenne is the author of more than two dozen books on military, aviation, and historical topics, including one which he co-authored with the legendary US Air Force commander, General Curtis LeMay. WWII History Magazine wrote that his book, B-17 at War, “is a source of unending pleasure to the Flying Fortress fan,” and Air Force Magazine wrote that his primer on strategic air power “deserves a place on any airman’s bookshelf.” Yenne is a member of the American Aviation Historical Society.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Regnery History; 1St Edition edition (October 14, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1621570819
ISBN-13: 978-1621570813
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 32 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #599 in Books > History > Military > Aviation
- #3019 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military

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4.4 out of 5 stars

5 star		72%
4 star		19%
3 star		3%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Airman's Review.

ByA. LOCOCOon July 4, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Admitted I am biased positively towards the USAF; I served as an SP in the SAC Elite Guard '88-'91. So being an airman the book would have to be pretty awful for me to review it poorly. I am also a pretty hi-energy person so if the book is not captivating as well as being a topic I like it would be easy for me to put it down.

This is a great recollection of events told with personal quotes as well as complied research. It was tough to put down. I started reading it a few weeks ago 'pool side' while on family vacation. I have been picking it up pretty consistently since and am at the final chapter today.

I would have liked a bit more info on Arnold and Mitchell's relationship, as well as more detail 'transcript' like accounts of all the behind the scenes meetings that many times were 'pissing matches' between branches, Allies, politicos, etc. In that regard it was a bit weak as a few others have mentioned. Still a great read, a bit light in areas, quick moving narrative. I would recommend it.

Gen. Arnold was a one-off American military original who was largely forgotten. Only 5 star in two services. and only one ever to wear USAF blues.
Its a shame that unless you are an Airman or some level of historian he is mostly unknown...

Wondering of the 'Snowden' of the past that was a relation by marriage is/was a link to the Snowden of present? I tried a bit of internet research but could not find a link.

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Light weight on how Arnold made things happen. His ...

ByJames T. Bradyon November 20, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Light weight on how Arnold made things happen. His key contribution was not running around the world going to meetings, meeting famous people, staying is fancy places. It was his dedication to bringing technological advancements to all aspects of the Air Force. The development of the the B17, B29, P38, P51, among others, was key to the successful conclusion of WWII but Yenne glosses over these points. He also does not develop the evolution of tactics of using the technology, they just kind of happened. We dropped a lot of bombs accurately and they gave up. The subtitle of the book is "The General Who Invented the US Air Force," but i saw little invention in the book. Sorry I read it.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Fascinating Biography

ByJeanon June 26, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold got his first flight lesson on 3 May 1911. His instructor was Orville Wright. In July he received his pilot’s certificate. Second Lieutenant Arnold was one of the first U. S. Army Aviators. In the early days the aviators were in the Signal corps.

Yenne reviews Arnold’s early life and briefly includes some personal details but mostly covers his military career. The author covers Arnold’s career during World War One, the period between the Wars and covers in-depth his role in World War Two’ also the creation of the modern day U.S. Air Force. I particularly enjoyed the section about Arnold and General Billy Mitchell. Yenne discusses the relationship between Arnold and some of his commanders such as Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, Jimmy Doolittle, Curtis LeMay and Ira Eaker. The author goes into detail as to how Arnold built the Army Air Corps into a modern Air Force in 1938 as ordered by Chief of Staff General George Marshall. The majority of the book covers WWII both the European and Pacific Theatres of War. Arnold was one of the five Army Generals to wear five stars and the only U.S.A.F. five star general.

The book is well written and researched. Yenne quotes frequently from Arnold memoirs. Yenne had access to the archived records and the papers of many of the other key high ranking military officers. The Department of Defense has released most of the World War One and Two documents to researches and biographers now. By the way “Hap” was short for Arnold’s military nickname of Happy. I thoroughly enjoyed this biography and history of our air force. If you are interested in our air power and WWII you must read this biography. I read this as an e-book on my Kindle app on my iPad. The book is 304 pages long and was first published in 2013.

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Hap Arnold's Air Force

ByJ. Linkon March 2, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I am a full career Air Force veteran, but had never read an extended bio on Hap Arnold until this book. Was very thorough and well-researched. An important aspect for me was that thinking back as I read it, I could see his very near-term fingerprints on the Air Force in the early 1970s when I joined. Although now retired 16 years and don't quite recognize Air Force organizations I knew for 29 years, it's evident that it's still Hap Arnold's Air Force. His lasting principles remain strong into the 21st Century.

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Highly recommend.

ByJames K. Easterlingon November 1, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I am already halfway through this book and can't put it down. Lots of historical / factual references...but written in an easy-to-read manner. My late uncle joined the Army aviation program in 1946 (retired 1974) and I wanted to learn more about what eventually became the US Air Force. The book goes from the Wright Brothers to the very first aviation program within the US military to how air dominance in WWII changed military strategy forever. Absolutely superb read for anyone interested in military aviation history (and Hap Arnold was quiet interesting too!!). Highly recommend.

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Good Read About an Underappreciated Officer

ByJoe Minnockon June 28, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Likely due to his low key personality and the fact that the Air Corps was part of the Army, Hap Arnold is a very under appreciated officer in World War II. This work details the history of Arnold from his origins as a pilot, trained by the Wright Brothers, to his post-war decline in health. Not only did he built an airline with over 2 million soldiers, but also envisioned and commissioned the studies that led to air power doctrine for this country for the next fifty years. A good and simple read.

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The General Hap Arnold

ByGENE A. VINITAon July 13, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

When I went thru this book by Bill Yenne about the life of Hap Arnold, It was as if I was right there with the General thru out his life from the
beginning to the end, I could hardly put the book down for a minute, the image of him was so strong. We didn't get this when I was in the USAF... A truly Great book about a man and the beginning of the United States Air Force...

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Everyone should give this a read

ByPipeFighteron July 6, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

History seemed to come to life in this, for me. Have a nephew in the Air Force and it was nice to read and understand where he is today because of Hap Arnold. It was an easy read for me and seemed like history came alive in my hands.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

EXCELLENT BOOK VERY INFORMATIVE.

Published 5 months ago by VICTOR BINKAUSKAS

Great book about a great USAF General who led by example

Hap Arnold was truly the driving force behind the AAF and new USAF. As a retired Lt Col reading about him throughout my career, I still learned much in this book.

Published 1 year ago by Joe

Love the

Hap Arnold was a real hero. Love the Book

Published 1 year ago by Gerald E. Robert

Five Stars

Very enjoyable read. Interesting life.

Published 1 year ago by Jim R.

Five Stars

Very interesting man.

Published 1 year ago by Robert G. Aubry

Can't wait to learn more!

I have an interest in General Arnold ~ I attended a high school named for him, and since my father was in the US Air Force, I thought this a good book to purchase!

Published 1 year ago by Peggy Morgan

Five Stars

Nice quick read. Recommendation to precede with a bio of Billy Mitchell.

Published 1 year ago by prmlaw

Thought it was a good read and discovered his interesting life in the Army

Thought it was a good read and discovered his interesting life in the Army. Much more to his career than I thought.

Published 1 year ago by Michael Megee

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