The best books on military aviation and its effect on the modern political era

In many ways, this book epitomizes qualities of a good techno-thriller: personal development, exciting aviation scenes, a place in US power projection, believable characters.

I particularly like the flying sequences told by a pilot who used to fly Intruders in a manner totally believable. I enjoyed the interaction between the two principal characters, sprinkled with heart-stopping drama. I found myself turning pages, wanting more, nodding with satisfaction when the author delivered.

From the first page, I loved the cool, unflappable main character, handling his B-52 BUFF and overcoming obstacles that threatened his mission.

A genuine techno-thriller, I became totally immersed in the book, enjoying every plot twist. I also relished the interaction between the principal characters, which was not always smooth but blended into a believable story of courage, persistence, and dedication.

This book led me to read further works by this author, and most did not disappoint. This was a perfect book to curl up to on a cool evening with a tumbler of whiskey at my side.

This book is a thoughtful, in-depth expose of a US Navy aviator that set me thinking about Middle East conflicts and politics. I absolutely loved how the main character grasped an opportunity to prove his theories about how to train aviators for aerial combat.

I enjoyed the skillful narrative on flying, personal relationships, and inevitable politics. The author’s unmatched depth of subject-matter knowledge made the book eminently readable. I couldn’t put it down. This book has a prominent place in my collection. 

I was inexorably drawn into this book, as it fulfilled all my expectations of what a good military aviation techno-thriller should be. It had excellent flying sequences, personal drama, some romance thrown in to add flavor, and rivalry with another skilled pilot.

When I come across such a book, I don’t let go, and I did not let go of this one. It opened an enthralling world into what it takes to teach fighter tactics to already experienced pilots, told from a totally entertaining viewpoint that never descended into dull narrative. I loved the flying sequences, making me believe I was there in the cockpit with the pilot.

If I wanted to learn what it took to become a US Air Force aviator, I found the perfect book. I had several good chuckles at what raw recruits endured at Pensacola at the hands of no-nonsense instructors. A fail at boot camp meant getting washed out.

When the story’s main character graduated to flying single-engine propeller aircraft, I was in the sky with him and his close friend. Transitioning to jets made my day, as did an occasional amusing amour. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and gained valuable information for my own writing. However, I could not help but wonder whether real life would actually be that romantic.