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Iron Eagle : The Turbulent Life of General Curtis LeMay Hardcover – December 9, 1987

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

A biography of the Air Force commander details his innovations, leadership decisions and strategies, and controversial actions and statements throughout his career, from World War II general to Chief of Staff

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Coffey traces the career of Le May, who went to war in 1941 as a captain and 20 years later, as chief of staff, guided the Air Force into the space age and early years of the Vietnam War. Le May was responsible for some of the most innovative bomber tactics in the European and Pacific theaters in World War II. After the war, he instituted the Berlin airlift and developed the Strategic Air Command; became involved in controversies ranging from the Bay of Pigs to the use of air power in Southeast Asia; and feuded with Robert McNamara, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson. A popular biography for general collections. BOMC alternate. George F. Scheck, Naval War Coll. Lib., Newport, R.I.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Value Publishing; First Edition (December 9, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 474 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0517551888
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0517551882
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.02 x 5.82 x 9.42 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

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Thomas M. Coffey
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2021
I had formed a completely different picture of LeMay before reading this fine book on his life. Despite his legendary gruff and seemingly harsh demeanor, he had his men and his country always in mind in his decision making. Learning of his contributions to the WWII air campaigns in both Europe and Japan alone are worth the time and cost to read this book. Then, how he transformed SAC into an effective and efficient deterrent during the Cold War just adds to his accomplishments.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2002
Iron Eagle is an intensely interesting biography of one of the pivotal military thinkers of the 20th Century. It is doubtful that, without Curtis Lemay's incredible forsight and military genius, WWII would have ended as soon as it did. The air campaign against Germany was going poorly until Lemay deivised the effective method of bombing that became the standard throughout WWII, Korea, & Vietnam. This book is a must for anyone who wants a true perspective on those who shaped the United States Air Force. Sadly this biography and "Mission With LeMay" are two of the very few accounts of LeMay's career and his tremendous contribution not only to the Air Force, but to the United States. Because he was such a politically incorrect thinker, most of what he has done for his country has been swept aside by revisionist historians. Truly an excellent book, well worth the reading.
29 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023
Very interesting read, loadie with lots of historical information.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2020
Let's take this as the book unfolds. It opens by making clear the author's hero-worship of his subject. Not a great start for any biography.

It then moves into describing LeMay's WW2 service. It's an undeniable hymn, but it is most persuasively argued. I had no idea that the B-29 had such a problematic start. This section was worth 5*.

Unconventionally, the story of the subject's early years was delayed until part 2, almost 200 pages into the book. I approve of this. It was also commendably short in length and also in identifying trivial incidents in that youth and using amateur psychology to extrapolate this to major events in adulthood. This section was worth 4*.

The final 200 pages of the book cover LeMay's career post WW2. There are two principal themes: first, the establishment of SAC and then the final part of LeMay's career in which he was fighting turf wars with the other forces and with DC politicians and bureaucrats. The SAC story is very interesting, although the hero-worship is too conspicuous. I am quite happy to buy into the idea that LeMay did a great job, but just 3* because the hero worship is over the top.

Finally, we have his time as USAF Chief of Staff. The author recognises that LeMay was out of his depth here, but still seems keen to suggest that LeMay was right in his opinions, but ineffective in his advocacy. The Cuba crisis and the Vietnam war are covered with distressing superficiality. Just 2* for this part.

I'm glad I read this, because LeMay was a vitally important figure in the USAF, but the author's hero-worship detracts from my admiration. Even whilst writing this,. I'm tempted to go down to 3*, but the WW2 part of the book really was good, so I shall stick with 4*.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2019
The first of my 4 great books about and by the great General Curtis Emerson Lemay. It included history of his youth and study at The Ohio State University, and his drive to fly planes and use them in new ways to help conquer the Germans and the Japanese.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2016
Very interesting on how he improved performance with constant training.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2013
Having been in sales in some form or another for over 35years, this book is one of the best on how to motivate others. Have read 3 books on General Lemay & this one is the best. Like President Truman said, the only thing you do not know is the book you have not read! Lots of Gold in them there books that you don't find on the internet! Ralph
8 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2010
This biography was published 20 years after the LeMay autobiography, Mission With Lemay, with MacKinlay Kantor, and 20-plus years before Walter Kozak's recent biography. Covers much the same ground as the other two books. Out of print, but belongs in the library of anyone interested in General LeMay, a giant with VERY few peers in the military history of the United States.
14 people found this helpful
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