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Topgun

The thrilling true story behind the action-packed classic film

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Topgun

By: Dan Pedersen
Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE ACTION-PACKED CLASSIC FILM

'GOOSE AND MAVERICK MOVE OVER . . .' Admiral James Stavridis

March 1969.

American jets are getting shot down at an unprecedented rate over Vietnam. In an urgent effort to regain the advantage the Admirals turn to a young naval aviator called Dan Pedersen.

Officially, the programme he set up was called the US Navy Fighter Weapons School. To everyone else it was known simply as TOPGUN.

Pedersen's hand-picked team of instructors - the Original Eight - were the best of the best. Together, they revolutionised aerial warfare and rediscovered the lost art of fighter combat.

This is the extraordinary, thrilling story of how TOPGUN saw America reclaim the skies, by the man who created it.
_______________________________

'It's hard to read Dan Pederson's Topgun and not think of Tom Cruise. A pleasure to read' Wall Street Journal

'Direct, vivid and unvarnished. A high-flying, supersonic tale' Hampton Sides, author of Ghost Soldiers

'Topgun earned Dan Pedersen the title of American Hero' Washington Times

'A riveting seat-of-the-pants flight into the lethal world of the fighter pilot' Dan Hampton, author of Viper Pilot

 Air Forces Armed Forces Military Military & War Vietnam War Aviation US Air Force War
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We all have seen the fast paced action of the movies, Now Dan Pederson's book gives us the real behind the scenes look at the inception of the Naval Fighter Weapons School, TOP GUN.

An engaging biography of the, at the time, rather junior officer, who was tasked with improving the air to air combat performance of US Navy fighter pilots during the Vietnam war. From his training days to eventual retirement, Dan's real life story takes you into the cockpit flying strikes over Vietnam to the bureaucratic battles to create and keep TOP GUN alive.

Highly recommended for real life and armchair aviators.

Air to air combat over Vietnam and administrative violence with Navy bureucracy all come together in Dan Pederson's "TOP GUN"

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Well written and gives some interesting perspectives to the airwar over Vietnam and the continuing problem of political interference.

Very interesting

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Absolutely brilliant book. Well written and read just as well. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth the read/listen.

Brilliant! Highly recommend.

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This book is amazing, truly exciting and riveting review of what the early days of jet warfare was like through a fighter pilot’s own eyes and experiences. I love this book and found the accounts of how Topgun began inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those with an interest in flying.

Thrilling read!

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