Based upon the U. S. Naval Intelligence manual on military uniforms produced during World War II; it is a comprehensive illustrated view of the principal combatants and neutrals of that war.
#567593 in Books Osprey Publishing 2012-08-07 2012-08-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.45 x 1.26 x 6.28l; 1.55 #File Name: 1849089760352 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Tough Read; but I still loved the bookBy Robert E DrabantI enjoyed Gail's book even though it was hard to follow at times and I say this because I am a friend of his. It cleared the air of when he got fired because of Hugh Brown's fatal accident having been there when it happened. The bottom line was that Gail got screwed; but I didn't find that out until the last third of the book and initially was disappointed when he covered it earlier in the book about being relieved of command and the reason that my roommate Gerald D. "Huffer" Huff and I; Robert E. "Darth" Drabant (It was while I was in the Red Eagle that I got my "call sign") both went on to do different things. Huffer got out of the service and I moved on to other projects in the Air Force; notably F-117A Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOTE) and finally as the Special Assistant to the Director of Operations of the operational unit; the 4450th Tactical Group. Gail does elude to the success of this program was due to the maintainers and I can also attest to that. Those who followed us should write and/or publish their experiences also since like one of them said; a lot transpired over the next 9 years before the program was terminated.16 of 17 people found the following review helpful. Not a well written bookBy oldbeamerIt's difficult to write a negative review for a book like this. The author has accomplished so much and there is so much to admire in his life that it's almost shameful to criticize the way the story is told.However; this book is a very difficult read. The narrative is often broken when the author spends a few paragraphs talking about the early career of a pilot. After an interesting situation is introduced; pages and pages are dedicated to background information with little relevance.In the end I skipped much of the book and didn't enjoy it at all.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Authentic; Detailed; and EnlighteningBy Cathy LouAlthough I worked for the Naval Safety Center as a writer for a bit in the '70s; I don't fly planes and I'm not in the military; nevertheless; I appreciated this up-close and personal account of the people behind the secret program that transformed US pilot training. To me; this account goes beyond the story of the secret MiG squadron: It's an in-depth look at how the military works.Highlights for me were the description of how they operate in the Pentagon; the stories of the persistence and ingenuity of the (usually unsung; but not here) maintenance crews;and the detailed description of what it feels like to fly a jet. Colonel Peck's account is clearly from his own experience; but he thoughtfully includes the voices of others to expand the story. Did I get lost in the acronyms? Sometimes (though there's a glossary I could have consulted). But I did not get frustrated by this author's voice as some other reviewers. I recognized it as one of the most authentic notes in the book: this is how military people really speak: measured in tone; understated and indirect due to diplomacy; and often self-deprecating (though this last is less common in fighter pilots in my experience).I recommend this book even if you are not connected to the military. If it touches you like it did me; you will come away with even more admiration for the very human heroes who serve and protect us all.
