Over the remote Pacific island of Chichi Jima, nine American flyers-Navy and Marine pilots sent to bomb Japanese communications towers there-were shot down. Flyboys, a story of war and horror but also of friendship and honor, tells the story of those men.
Over the remote Pacific island of Chichi Jima, nine American flyers-Navy and Marine pilots sent to bomb Japanese communications towers there-were shot down. One of those nine was miraculously rescued by a U.S. Navy submarine. The others were captured by Japanese soldiers on Chichi Jima and held prisoner. Then they disappeared. When the war was over, the American government, along with the Japanese, covered up everything that had happened on Chichi Jima. The records of a top-secret military tribunal were sealed, the lives of the eight Flyboys were erased, and the parents, brothers, sisters, and sweethearts they left behind were left to wonder.
Flyboys reveals for the first time ever the extraordinary story of those men. Bradley's quest for the truth took him from dusty attics in American small towns, to untapped government archives containing classified documents, to the heart of Japan, and finally to Chichi Jima itself. What he discovered was a mystery that dated back far before World War II-back 150 years, to America's westward expansion and Japan's first confrontation with the western world. Bradley brings into vivid focus these brave young men who went to war for their country, and through their lives he also tells the larger story of two nations in a hellish war.
With no easy moralizing, Bradley presents history in all its savage complexity, including the Japanese warrior mentality that fostered inhuman brutality and the U.S. military strategy that justified attacks on millions of civilians. And, after almost sixty years of mystery, Bradley finally reveals the fate of the eight American Flyboys, all of whom would ultimately face a moment and a decision that few of us can even imagine.
Flyboys is a story of war and horror but also of friendship and honor. It is about how we die, and how we live-including the tale of the Flyboy who escaped capture, a young Navy pilot named George H. W. Bush who would one day become president of the United States. A masterpiece of historical narrative, Flyboys will change forever our understanding of the Pacific war and the very things we fight for.
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"Great story of our American Patriots. Great to hear both sides of the story, which we don't often get to find out about. Graphic detail grounded my thinking that War is an ugly thing, for everyone involved. I thank all our Veterans for their sacrifice! "
— Paulette (5 out of 5 stars)
“Bradley has once again given us the human face of a war…a triumph of careful listening…and most of all…empathy.”
— Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author“A powerful, compelling look at a tragic time in our history.”
— W. E. B. Griffin, New York Times bestselling author" For anyone who knows friends or had family members that fought in the Pacific in WWII; this book may help explain why the never liked to talk about their experiences. "
— Chris, 2/19/2014" This was a sad story - but a story the needed to be told. It really made me understand the War in the Pacific a lot better - despite the fact that I've been studying World War II for the past 25 years. "
— Jeffrey, 2/12/2014" This book is horrific. A tale of courage and craziness during the fighting in and around Japan via WWII. This book is not for the faint of heart (I could probably read this during certain parts of my life and would prefer not to read it during others). Intense. "
— Ashley, 2/8/2014" Very well written, interesting book covering the background lives of soldiers engaged in Iwo Jima near the end of WWII. "
— Craig, 2/1/2014" Pretty graphic,but stories about WWII I have never heard before. "
— Carollee, 1/30/2014" I wish every American who views WWII with simplistic patriotism would read this book. It is incredibly thought provoking and drives home a relatively simple point: that in most ways war has no real winners. "
— Brent, 1/28/2014" The actual story of the airmen was not the best part, but I found the reasons behind the war and the insight into Japanese thinking at the time most interesting. "
— Aiden, 1/25/2014" I usually like WWII books, but this one was so sad and descriptive that I could barely stomach it. There were times (while I was listening on my way to work) that I thought I would lose my breakfast. So sad to see the results of such evil! "
— Julia, 1/14/2014" James Bradley gives a thorough history of all that led up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and what the the Flyboys of the Pacific went through during the war. A little gory at times. "
— Ms., 1/13/2014" This book made me see WWII from an entirely different perspective than what I learned in history class, and for that reason alone, I highly recommend it. It's a very rough and horrifying book -- not for the faint of heart. "
— deLille, 12/13/2013" A great epic. Bradley provides just enough historical background to put you in the cockpit of some true American heroes. "
— Matt, 12/11/2013" Best WWII book I have read. "
— Ted, 12/9/2013" I was intrigued and interested the entire book. I am not a non-fiction fan, but this mostly read like fiction and is an amazing testament to what our soldiers endure in the name of freedom. "
— Kimberly, 11/27/2013" Who knew what a true war hero George H.W. Bush was. Shame on politicians who tried to disparage what he did. "
— Scot, 5/16/2013" a very tragic read of the war between the Japanese and Americans. I really appreciate what George H.W. Bush went through along with his war heros. "
— Wendy, 5/7/2013" Possibly the best book I have ever read. "
— Dallas, 2/21/2013" listened to abridged version - learned a lot - most of it not good. May not be suitable for 8th grade library. "
— Margaret, 11/25/2012" This is a historical account off the war against Japan, of which makes parts of the book hard to read. But this is real History, and should be read, less the world forget! "
— Robert, 4/14/2012" this book covers so much history from japan that it's one of the most eye opening books I have ever read. "
— Heath, 2/21/2012" A riveting tale of brutal warfare in the Pacific during WWII. "
— Gregp, 1/20/2012" This was a hard read, but well worth it. War does horrible things to ordinary people. Doesn't seem to matter what side you're on. "
— Justjoe22, 12/28/2011" great History of lost pilots of world war two and their stories of heroism and sacrifice. reads much like a novel "
— Lou, 12/11/2011" Excellent account of WWII more from the Japanese point of view. "
— Dori, 5/22/2011" What the horrors of war are, no one can imagine. "
— Zack, 5/20/2011" Bradley has a way with delivering historical events. He was very descriptive in what happened to these boys who took part in WWII. <br/> <br/> <br/> "
— Jennifer, 5/8/2011" Excellent book. Horrifying on the awful things we do to one another during war. Made me understand the Atomic bombings of Japan, which had caused me to feel shame and guilt for being a part of such a terrible act. "
— Bill, 4/17/2011" I could not actually finish it because it was so disturbing. But it really opened my eyes to the horror of war and dehumanization. "
— Shawn, 3/24/2011" This was a sad story - but a story the needed to be told. It really made me understand the War in the Pacific a lot better - despite the fact that I've been studying World War II for the past 25 years. "
— Jeffrey, 3/23/2011" Who knew what a true war hero George H.W. Bush was. Shame on politicians who tried to disparage what he did. "
— Scot, 2/17/2011" This was an amazing book! I learned so much! I was awed and horrified all at the same time. "
— Mitzi, 2/15/2011" The clearest explanation of the Japanese soldier's mindset during WWII I have ever read. Makes you realize that a society can justify just about anything with proper indoctrination. "
— Brian, 2/14/2011James Bradley is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Flyboys and Flags of Our Fathers, among other books, and is the son of one of the men who raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. He is also the founder of the James Bradley Peace Foundation.
Christine Lakin is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and acclaimed television actress, best known for her roles as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the hit family comedy Step by Step and as Joan of Arc on Showtime’s Reefer Madness.