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  • Race of Aces

  • WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky
  • By: John R. Bruning
  • Narrated by: Brian Troxell
  • Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (33 ratings)

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Race of Aces

By: John R. Bruning
Narrated by: Brian Troxell
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Publisher's Summary

The astonishing untold story of the WWII airmen who risked it all in the deadly race to become the greatest American fighter pilot.

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.

What developed was a wild three-year sprint for fame and glory, and the chance to be called America's greatest fighter pilot. The story has never been told until now.

Based on new research and full of revelations, John Bruning's brilliant, original book tells the story of how five American pilots contended for personal glory in the Pacific while leading Kenney's resurgent air force against the most formidable enemy America ever faced.

The pilots - Richard Bong, Tommy McGuire, Neel Kearby, Charles MacDonald and Gerald Johnson - riveted the nation as they contended for Rickenbacker's crown. As their scores mounted, they transformed themselves from farm boys and aspiring dentists into artists of the modern dogfight.

But as the race reached its climax, some of the pilots began to see how the spotlight warped their sense of duty. They emerged as leaders, beloved by their men as they chose selfless devotion over national accolades.

Teeming with action all across the vast Pacific theater, Race of Aces is a fascinating exploration of the boundary between honorable duty, personal glory, and the complex landscape of the human heart.

"Brings you into the cockpit of the lethal, fast-paced world of fighter pilots.... Fascinating." (Sara Vladic)

"Extraordinary.... a must-read." (US Navy Captain Dan Pedersen)

"A heart-pounding narrative of the courage, sacrifice, and tragedy of America's elite fighter pilots." (James M. Scott)

"Vivid and gripping.... Confirms Bruning's status as the premier war historian of the air." (Saul David)

©2020 John R. Bruning (P)2020 Hachette Books

Critic Reviews

"Here is a true story with something for everyone. Love, war, treachery, adventure, and above all an intimate portrait of the made-for-Hollywood life of a man who broke all the rules and remade them to his liking...Bruning shows us a big-hearted man determined to save his family - and a brilliant scientist-pilot who was determined to win the war along the way." (Adam Makos, New York Times best-selling author of A Higher Call and Devotion)

"This is a beautifully told story of a family separated by war, and of an extraordinary father, driven to avenge his family, who by sheer force of character changed the nature of warfare. A superbly told tale of love, honor, courage, and devotion." (Alex Kershaw, New York Times best-selling author of Avenue of Spies)

"Satisfying...Combat aviation buffs will enjoy Bruning's explorations of a little-known history." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about Race of Aces

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Excellent story

What a terrific insight into the lives of these great flyers. Their stories should be told for the generations that come after. What sacrifices they made for our freedom. Well delivered story

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fiction im not sure, but story i loved.

Narrative was great. story i listened to welcomingly over a few days, I myself 31, my grandfather told me similar stories at the campfire. To day i can listen to this stuff like no end.

I absolutely recommend this book, as it is absolutely based on the truths of the war, all the heroic amd horrific acts.

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very good

thank you for sharing this story of the brave men and women of this Book and thank you so much

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

frustrating writing style ruined military history.

Just awful.The author has taken interesting military historical events between endless attempts at 'improvement' by padding it with corny fictional romance novel character development.i couldn't even finish it.Wasted my $.

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    5 out of 5 stars

incredible story.

An excellent account of the P38 air war. Very detailed. a rather sad ending though.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Too soapy

Unlike a lot of other military books. Goes on too about peripheral issues, romance etc. not enough battle and technical detail for me. Unlikely to see it through

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Superb but tragic account of the Pacific P-38 Aces

A superb but ultimately tragic account of the P-38 war in the Pacific. The book was very comprehensive in its telling of all of these amazing men, their personalities, their experiences and their machines. Easy to listen to and well read,This book must surely be the preeminent text on this subject.

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P-38

The P-38 has been one of my favourite WWII fighter aircraft, and yet I’ve had much difficulty in listening to stories about pilots able to exploit it’s maximum potential. This is the 1st story about the P-38 Lighting and its Ace pilots that I’ve come across. It is a well told story that gives the highest accolades to the P-38’s capabilities in the hands of it’s best pilots, in the midst of the tragedies of a global war.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Warts and all air combat

I was a bit worried this would be a hero-fest, bragging about how great these pilots were, It turned out to being anything but. The pilots involved were covered in great detail, both strengths and flaws.

The air combat accounts, likewise, point out the pilots and aircraft best and worst attributes. While recognising the pilot scores, the book does point out the great difficulty in confirming kills, and that in fact on many occasions both sides claimed kills far higher than actually occurred on the day. It also displays the grief and horror of losing close friends, and the perils of leadership.

Well worth the read.

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A Captivating Story

A great story and despite it's length compared to some other books of a similar nature it remains very interesting. A lot of great information throughout the book.

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