Top Notch Audiobook

Robertson Dean's performance as Robin Olds is fantastic. This being my 14th audiobook (mostly WW2 history) was by far my favorite. The story really comes to life with the lively 1st person perspective and detailed accounts. I felt like I really understood what was happening in the times and places that the book took me to. Fighter Pilot gave me a perspective on life in the military during WW2 through Vietnam. The story of Robin Olds was absolutely amazing, this is a true American hero that just made me proud from start to finish. Oh, and the really, really best thing about the book was the human perspective. All through the tale I heard his insights, emotions, hopes and dreams. Superb!!!

16 people found this helpful

Great Audiobook!

I couldn't stop listening to this biography about Robin Olds. The book is a treasure trove of history about WWII and Viet Nam. If you are a student of history, this book will be a goldmine of information about the war years.

10 people found this helpful

One of those books

This is one of those books you wish would never end. Olds is one of those people you wish you knew.

8 people found this helpful

Gripping story, superb narration

Robertson Dean does a superlative job with the narration. Fascinating story. My hat is off to Christina Olds and Ed Rasimus for writing in the first person. The technique brings Olds to life. He must have been a helluva guy. This is a five-star book all the way. Do not miss it.

7 people found this helpful

Wow..

This book is one of those books you can listen to over and over again. The narration is excellent. It's a good marker for how the military works, and the joys and frustrations of a man who clearly enjoyed his career. There are high points and also low points to the book. I found myself laughing and even quite distraught at times. I would recommend this book to any who enjoy reading about military memoirs, action, adventure, war, military life, and aviation.

7 people found this helpful

American Hero

Any additional comments?

If you love stories of American patriots this will inspire you. Robin Olds was a truly amazing, fearless, patriotic American. The book was well read. My only drawback was the language. I understand from the Introduction that Olds wanted the story in his language, and he got it. Unfortunately, much of the vulgarity just was not need to tell the story.

6 people found this helpful

Great Book: More Than Just Flying and Shooting

Robin Olds' memoirs are more than simply a string of combat stories. I like that type book, but this is about two steps above the standard combat narrative.

Olds really bares his soul in "Fighter Pilot". He was an old man dying of cancer when he put the book together, and I believe, much like "Grant's Memoirs", his realization that this was his last statement about his life and legacy created an amazing story.

Olds is brutal in his assessment of fellow USAF officers. He goes after the USAF establishment with the same energy and passion that he went after ME-109s and MIG-21s. For me, this was a special treat, but he also gives credit to hundreds of men of all ranks that he served with. I really liked that he specifically complimented so many of his ground crew and staff officers by name, because those guys are almost always forgotten.

However, the personal elements are what really make this book special. Olds was admittedly not the best husband and he admits it. The story of his attempts to juggle his career with his family responsibilities are particularly touching. He was a great man, but also a deeply flawed man and I believe that's what makes the portrait so compelling.

I will admit there are lots of stories about the inner working of his thirty year rise to brigadier general, but I believe that reveals a side of the military that very few civilians ever even realizes exists. In fact, I hope "Fighter Pilot" becomes required reading for young officers. Military wives should read it too.

I thought I knew quite a bit about Olds before: A hard partying ace during World War II and a sort of modern day Nathan Forrest in an F-4 over North Vietnam. All of that is true, I believe Olds would really like the Forrest comparison, but he was really a much better LEADER and much better THINKER than I ever realized.

Highly recommended!

13 people found this helpful

Fighter Pilot

This is a great book about a famous triple ace fighter pilot of both WWII and Viet Nam. The book is written in the first person so it is just like sitting in his living room and listening to his life story. Robertson Dean did a good job narrating the story. This book is like listening to the history of the Air Force as Robin Olds father Major General Olds was in the Army Air Corp in WW1 so between the two of them they cover the history of air power. Enjoyed the section about his time in England and the relationship with the British flyer's. Olds mentions several times in the book talking with or flying in the Flying Circus Wing of Eddie Rickenbacker. Audible has a book written in 1919 called "Fighting the Flying Circus" by Eddie V. Rickenbacker about his time in the Army Air Corp during WW1. Rickenbacker won the Medal of Honor during WW1. Robin Olds won the Silver Star in WWII and in Viet Nam. If you like this type of story, download it, as I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did. Olds was married to movie star Ella Raines and had two girls. I love these types of book as they bring history to life.

5 people found this helpful

Excellent biography

Where does Fighter Pilot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I always enjoy a good history lesson from those that actually lived it. So happy Robin's daughter was able to gather the stories of her father together to create this memorable story.

5 people found this helpful

Bravo Zulu, Robin Olds, an ACE of an autobiography

A member of the Greatest Generation, Robin Olds, a pilot's pilot tells his fascinating story with humor, accuracy, and humility. My husband, a USN retired Naval Aviator, loved this account of a fellow fighter pilot from his detail of the aircraft flown, challenges he faced on and off the ground, and the love of flying common to all pilots. I enjoyed the history of an era, the personal side of his story, as well as opening topics of conversation between my combat veteran and me that had never occurred to me to ask him about.
Robin Olds' career and life are over, but kudos to his daughter, her co-author, and the narrator for bringing this legend back to life---if only on the page or in our ears.

3 people found this helpful