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Masters of the Air
- America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 25 hrs and 15 mins
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Â
In 1942, America's deadliest fighter pilot, or "ace of aces" - the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker - offered a bottle of bourbon to the first US fighter pilot to break his record of 26 enemy planes shot down. Seizing on the challenge to motivate his men, General George Kenney promoted what they would come to call the "race of aces" as a way of boosting the spirits of his war-weary command.
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A larger-than-life hero with a towering personality, Robin Olds was a graduate of West Point and an inductee in the National College Football Hall of Fame for his All-American performance for Army. In World War II, Olds quickly became a top fighter pilot and squadron commander by the age of 22—a double ace with twelve aerial victories. But it was in Vietnam where the man became a legend.
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Top Notch Audiobook
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With The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors and Ship of Ghosts, James D. Hornfischer created essential and enduring narratives about America’s World War II Navy, works of unique immediacy distinguished by rich portraits of ordinary men in extremis and exclusive new information. Now he does the same for the deadliest, most pivotal naval campaign of the Pacific war: Guadalcanal. Neptune’s Inferno is at once the most epic and the most intimate account ever written of the contest for control of the seaways of the Solomon Islands.
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The WWII Pacific Theater Explodes In My Lazy Chair
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During the third week of February 1944, the combined Allied air forces based in Britain and Italy launched their first round-the-clock bomber offensive against Germany. Their goal: to smash the main factories and production centers of the Luftwaffe while also drawing German planes into an aerial battle of attrition to neutralize the Luftwaffe as a fighting force prior to the cross-channel invasion, planned for a few months later. Officially called Operation ARGUMENT, this aerial offensive quickly became known as “Big Week,” and it was one of the turning-points of World War II.Â
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War in the Air: Sets stage with gripping narrative
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Publisher's Summary
This is the dramatic story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. With the narrative power of fiction, this is a harrowing ride through the fire-filled skies over Berlin, Hanover, and Dresden.
Fighting at 25,000 feet in thin, freezing air no warriors had encountered before, bomber crews battled new kinds of assaults on body and mind. Air combat was deadly but intermittent: periods of inactivity and anxiety were followed by short bursts of fire and fear. Unlike infantrymen, bomber boys slept on clean sheets, drank beer in local pubs, and danced to the music of Glenn Miller’s Air Force Band. But they had a much greater chance of dying than ground soldiers. In 1943 an American bomber crewman stood only a one-in-five chance of surviving his tour of duty. The Eighth Air Force lost more men in the war than the US Marine Corps.
The bomber crews were an elite group of warriors. Actor Jimmy Stewart was a bomber boy, as was “King of Hollywood” Clark Gable. The air war was filmed by Oscar-winning director William Wyler and covered by reporters like Andy Rooney and Walter Cronkite, all of whom flew combat missions with the men. The Anglo-American bombing campaign against Nazi Germany was the longest military campaign of World War II, a war within a war. Until Allied soldiers crossed into Germany in the final months of the war, it was the only battle fought inside the German homeland.
Strategic bombing did not win the war, but the war could not have been won without it. American airpower destroyed the rail facilities and oil refineries that supplied the German war machine. The bombing campaign was a shared enterprise: The British bombed at night while American bombers attacked by day - a technique that British commanders thought was suicidal.
Drawn from interviews, oral histories, and American, British, German, and other archives, this is an authoritative, deeply moving account of the world’s first and only bomber war.
Critic Reviews
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What listeners say about Masters of the Air
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Olaf
- 01-05-12
Facts and Emotions Masterfully Combined
A book about war does not have to be either military history or record of human experiences but can be a combination of both if skillfully written for the knowledge and heart sections. This book is a very good example for this. It would not be the right book for somebody beginning to learn about World War II but if good overall knowledge of the war is given, the book provides deep insights into this very special theater of war in Europe. Even though I have read many, many books about the war I have found quite a bit of facts which were completely new to me. The individual histories of the fliers going through this ordeal are told with great tact, respect and without nationalism - just as it has to be. Highly recommended.
25 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 02-19-12
An excellent, comprehensive history
Where does Masters of the Air rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Among those books dedicated to telling the story of the European air war, and notably that based in England, this is one of the best. It is comprehensive, well written, well narrated, and it artfully and engagingly stitches together strategy, personal stories, and tactical events. The mix of German and British and American story lines is superb.
What other book might you compare Masters of the Air to and why?
The telling of the personal stories reminds me of Ambrose's talent for doing so. James Hornfischer's
20 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- David
- 04-25-13
Omelet with everything
The thing you should probably know before using a credit on this book is that the title is a bit misleading. While substantial portions of this very long survey of the Allied air war against Germany are devoted to telling the stories of individuals and the missions they flew (and even of their experiences as POW's), Miller's dominant objective seems to be the parsing of the air campaign from every possible viewpoint: economic, strategic, moral, political, social, strategic and tactical. Also, it is principally the story of the 8th Air Force operating out of England, so while it's treatment of that unit is comprehensive, it has little to say about other U.S. bomber commands in the European theatre.
Miller writes clearly and the book is read very competently, but I found my interest sagging as the narrative followed a kind of oscillating formula: detailing political maneuverings, analyzing matters of strategy, describing the planning and execution of a particular operation, and then zooming in for closeups of the action as it affected individual units and crews. Then the process would begin all over again with the next phase of the campaign.
That said, I certainly know a GREAT deal more about the air war in Europe than I did when I began the book. At times Miller also succeeds in powerfully communicating the emotional landscape of the struggle. While the flyers periodically take a back seat to the generals and the politicians, there is enough here to engrave their exploits in every reader's mind. And the questions he raises about the choices the U.S. and England made in regard to "civilian" vs. "military" targets are unsettling and painfully timely in today's world. I guess I just think all of it would have been more effective if it were not presented in a single omelet which was trying to use up all the tasty things in the fridge in one dish.
19 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 08-06-12
Heros
Where does Masters of the Air rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
My father only answered my direct questions about the war. He was a belly gunner on a B-17. This book answeres many unasked questions. This is by far the most detailed account of why dad's hands shook every day after the war.
18 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Scott McClanahan
- 11-07-12
The Mighty Eighth story is told in full
What did you love best about Masters of the Air?
This is a long book with many details. There are so many stories. If just one book about the Mighty Eighth is bought, this is definitely the one.
What other book might you compare Masters of the Air to and why?
The Wild Blue
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A Sacrifice for Their Country Beyond Imagination
Any additional comments?
There is one sentence in this book that made a great impression on me:
"Mass education made the 8th Air Force."
Our nation's public education system before the war created so many quality Air Corp officers, America completely overwhelmed the Luftwaffe.
The air battles over Europe defy comprehension. This book expands that impression an order of magnitude.
I will listen to it again.
12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dan Greene
- 07-29-12
Excellent: The classic bomber campaign of the 8th
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes - great stories, good insight into the phases of the bomber campaign.
Any additional comments?
Thoroughly enjoyed the detailed look at the bomber campaign.Explores the details of the B-17s mainly and the roller coaster ride they had from 1942 to 1945. Details include targeting strategies, crew experience, Luftwaffe strategies and coverage of the Fw-190 vs B-17 war plus lots of other details and little known facets of the bomber experience. A must read for someone wanting a good understanding of the European Air War in WW2.
11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 07-28-13
An Excellent Story
What made the experience of listening to Masters of the Air the most enjoyable?
I thought the book did a wonderful job mixing the stories of the men in the planes with the political and strategic parts of the book. This made for a well rounded story which really gave the listener a full picture of the war.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Masters of the Air?
The descriptions of what took place inside the planes in the skies over Europe are absolutely riveting.
What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I thought that the narrator did a wonderful job. Often times the narrators for history books can be dry and, to be frank, rather dull. Mr. Dean did a magnificent job. The book flows very well and so it really felt like I was listening to someone describe the events rather than reading from a book.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Richard LeBlanc
- 10-01-12
From Start to Finish in Europe
This is a great day to day complete story of the air war in Europe. A chronicle of the behind the scenes politics and maneuverings. The double strategies the Allies fought, The crews life and death struggle, that broke some, and tested all.
London and the fly boys. A good description of the British thoughts of the American fly boys, and the Americans experiences with the British people.
A great book that puts you in the ERA along with all the peoples involved. Even the enemies.
I listened night after night. Happily, it's a long book. I highly recommend "MASTERS of the AIR" to WW ll buffs or anyone who like to read books of life in the 1940's.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Noel
- 11-02-12
One of the best war books I have listened to.
Where does Masters of the Air rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
As a 2nd world war narrative it rates as among the best
What was one of the most memorable moments of Masters of the Air?
The real story about how the airmen and their doctors dealt with the chaos of their experiences going from sitting around to being in the air with the enemy guns and planes attacking them
Which scene was your favorite?
the story about the 32 year old airman who was a rough diamond but was able to put the fire out in the plan, rescue his mate and also still keep shooting the guns
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Endurance, strength and falability make the man
8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- James P
- 08-19-12
A little more than expected.
Narrated by Robertson Dean, he did great justice to the story bringing his usual expert retelling of aerial combat to life.This book did just one thing I hadn't expected, and that is to really tell me more about what the bombing of Germany was like from the ground and how much I really never learned about Switzerland (so called neutral) and other countries. A fine read, excellent detail, great narration. So much so that I'm now delving into more historical detail of where the war got started and how it really came to an end. Enjoy!
8 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Allan
- 02-01-12
Masters of The Air
You have just got to listen to this audio book. It demonstartes just what was involved with the USAAF and their bombing missions over the Third Reich. The battles that were going daily, during day time, with the American bomber crews against the Luftwaffe and the numerous flak batteries. Is described in authentic detail. It beggers belief that these men were destined to do their bombing missions in daylight. Especially when the RAF got slaughtered when they tried it. However, keeping those USAAF bombers doing their missions created other battles on the ground for their High Command. As the pressure from the USA on the horrendous losses caused their own problems in justifying a continuation of the bombing. Achieving that aim in itself is eye opening, and sometimes surprising. All the problems that the bomber crews of the USAAF suffered at heavy cost of life and aircraft are mentioned in full. So to support the bombing missions the USAAF High Command had to fight a war on two fronts. One on the ETO and the other on The Home Front where the dollars, bombers and aircrew come from. The stories told of these men during their bombing missions leaves not much to the imagination. Their bravery is unquestionable and undeniable. Listen to the events as they unfold. Some of them will surprise you with what was actually involved with the wheeling and dealings that went on behind the closed doors in High Command. Leaving the bomber crews to carry out those decisions made without any say in the matter. That was war. That was the bombers war. Though which is the more difficult?. Bombing during daylight where you can see and be seen. Or bombing at night. Where one can not see but can still be seen? Especially over the lit target area. Either way. This audio puts to rights what actually went on with what the men of the USAAF bomber crews had to endure and live with on a daily basis. Yet somehow.....try and come to terms with what their lost innocense had witnessed and experienced.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Carol Anne Smith
- 12-10-19
One of the best
Thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish.
From all aspects of the American air war in Europe.
I did feel the author was very sympathetic with the German civilian casualties of indiscriminate bombing, scathing really.
He didn't change my own personal view, but it was thought provoking nevertheless.
Great book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Jane
- 09-26-18
Quite interesting
Great listen for the first 20 hours but gets a little boring towards the end.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bob Upndown
- 09-27-17
Leaves no stone unturned
Very comprehensive account of the mighty 8th. Narration is excellent and it gives you a stark impression of events. The chronology slowly moves forward in the main and it gives a very good account of additional stories such as POW camps, a fate to befall so many flyers. The mixed position of the Swiss is something one never hears about and was a real eye opener. It covers so many personal accounts from the physical flying and targeting to the antics of crew seeking horizontal refreshment in the back streets of London. I'm inclined to say this must be the most authoritative text on the subject as a whole. 25 hours later and I felt like I'd been on a great journey of discovery. Not an easygoing listen but a vital source of information for anyone serious about understanding the events. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Malik Chibah
- 05-16-17
Excellent!
Very good book, mix of historical fact and entertaining anecdotes. Was very unbiased is describing both sides of the air war.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Barry Martin Cooke
- 06-05-16
Outstanding account
Incredible detail covering a very wide aspect of this little known story of great courage and endurance.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- D. Williams
- 08-03-15
Looking fwd to the Hanks/Spielberg production
So good I had to buy the Hardback. This is a weighty subject - there's really too much to fully absorb on the commute to work and back, but it's very good and well read too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Swapcat
- 01-22-14
Epic account of life and death above the 3rd Reich
If you could sum up Masters of the Air in three words, what would they be?
Truth, blood, and bravery.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
If only that were possible... a big book.
Any additional comments?
The most concise account of the US bomber campaign in WW2 europe I have ever encountered. Simply epic.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Clark
- 11-13-13
Very Informative and Better than Expected
If you could sum up Masters of the Air in three words, what would they be?
Informative, Compelling, Touching
What did you like best about this story?
It was well structured and packed with information.
What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
An American accent
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Its too big for a single sitting. Its not a story and best listened too in chunks so that you can reflect on the content.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bill
- 06-18-18
Riveting listening - an epic description
This audio book is an excellent account of the operations of the brave men of the 8th Air Force. The descriptions of the air combat, and it's effect on the flyers, is amazing.
While it is a great account of the action, the true story is the massive failure of the air campaign. While the author tries at the end to justify the "precision bombing" as a major contribution to the war, it is easy to see that in fact the campaign struggled from failure to failure; every time the bombers advanced their techniques, the defenders countered their tactics.
That these brave young men went out time after time to face death is incredible. That their masters insisted on it despite clear evidence of the lack of impact on the German war machine is an example of the risks all wars have.
If a country invests so heavily in a combat technique, and that technique does not work, it is very difficult for those responsible to admit it and abandon it.
If you are interested in air warfare, this is a must read.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hamish
- 02-02-17
Masterful.
Has to be the definitive story of the history and men of the 8th Air Force in WW2.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 08-04-20
one of the best ww2 books, so very listen-able
easily one of the best ww2 books, perfectly paced, beautifully written and balanced, well researched, sensible. this book is neither bombastic or silly, nor stale or weighed down by stats - it is so very readable/listenable. Robertson dean does an excellent job of narrating, his deep voice is relaxing and easy to listen to and his subtle voice acting is very, very good. also the production is very good, with good pauses, little to no sibilance (the sss sounds that can be irritating in some recordings) and generally a professional feel throughout. honestly this book is excellent, i listen to A LOT of war books and as far as my own personal tastes go (I'm 35, father of 2, from NZ and do not like over-the-top american or British macho crud, nor boring stat driven reference works) this is not just one of the better ones but one of the best - in terms of pure listenability it is almost unrivalled. definitely check it out, I can almost guarantee you wont regret it.
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