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The Blue Max (Cassell Military Paperbacks) Paperback – January 1, 2007

by Jack D. Hunter (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 73 ratings
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Bruno Stachel is a nobody, a newly recruited junior officer in a First World War German combat squadron. But he is determined not to remain a nobody for long. He has his sights on the Blue Max - the most coveted of all German decorations - and he will do anything to get it. From the very moment he shoots down his first plane, everything he does is aimed in that direction: bedding his commander's wife, courting publicity at every turn, even arranging the deaths of his competitors
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Cassell
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.75 x 7.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0304366803
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0304366804
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cassell; 2nd edition (January 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0304366803
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0304366804
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.75 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 73 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
73 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

boldlancer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Story for The Ages
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2012
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After having seen the Hollywood movie by the same title, I was pleasantly surprised to read this engrossing tale that puts the reader directly into the grim realism of the First World War in the air. Unlike the film version that focuses on social class struggle, this narrative traces the main character's struggle with alcoholism and, to a lesser extent, with wartime propaganda. Leutnant Bruno Stachel wins Imperial Germany's highest award for valor after an incident that he cannot even remember because of his drunkenness. Despite his rise to fame, Stachel must ultimately choose between two women--one a kindred spirit who understands his struggles and the other a manipulating aristocrat who simply wants him nearby. The story ends with Stachel meeting future Luftwaffe commander Hermann Goering in a bar for a drink, with the implication that Stachel is precisely the kind of disaffected young German that the Nazis would soon target. This is an absolutely fantastic story that tells a different side of war.
4 people found this helpful
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Mike Lareau
5.0 out of 5 stars It is different from the movie as are most screenplays derived from written works but I can separate the two and enjoy each in s
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2015
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I am most thotoughly enjoying Jack Huner's magnum opus an amd finding myself strongly desirimg tp read his two squels of the life Herr Bruno Stachel. I minimize my "disappointment tha almost invaiable accompanies the experience of reading the book and then seeing the movie but curiously enough, after first seeing the film, I can see the late George Peppard in the role of Buno Stachel and the bool loses nothing. The irony of :Leutnant killing Willi to get his hands on one of the new fighter when Hauptmann Heidemann was going to give him on anyway compelling. At the same time, I find his methol of killing Willi brilliantly concieved, getting rid of his aristocratic rival while making it look like an acident is wickedly brilliant,
5 people found this helpful
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Pendragon
5.0 out of 5 stars The Blue Max
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014
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A long time favorite movie of mine I was quite intrigued when I found out the movie was made from a book. The story is about Leutnant Bruno Stachel of the Imperial German Air Corps during the waning days of WWI. All the characters from the movie are here, though obviously as with any book/movie pairing there are a few differences between the book and the movie. I highly recommend reading the book then watching the movie. You'll catch the differences, but I find myself wishing they had stayed true to the book when making the movie. The book is much, much better.
3 people found this helpful
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David S. Murdock
4.0 out of 5 stars A good novel
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2014
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The other reviews have effectively covered the main differences between this book and the movie made from it. Most reviewers have taken the side of the book or the movie. All I will say about this issue is that the book is very different from the movie, and both have their selling points.

The thing that surprised me about reading the novel is how GOOD it is. It might not be great, but it certainly does not deserve the oblivion it has received. It is a fairly compelling read, with many compelling insights into the characters. Although the dogfighting scenes are mostly realistic, the novel's main strength is the examination of the characters. The plot flows from character, and I was delighted at how well Jack Hunter delineated them. This novel is not just good war fiction -- it is good fiction.

That being said, I'm not sure people who have no interest in World War 1 aviation would want to read it. They should, though. This novel is a fascinating story of many flawed people and how they affect each other at a time of horrendous tragedy. The stress of the times forces them into roles they would not have filled in peacetime.

On another note, Hunter includes many details that add to the story. One of my favorite details is the running commentary on the "field gray" wool uniforms. Not only does he describe the look, he also describes the smell of "wet wool" and how these small descriptive details affect the characters. Overall, Hunter is a skilled writer.
12 people found this helpful
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Zafner
5.0 out of 5 stars If you like antiheros ...
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018
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There's a lot of conflict in this book. If you like antiheroes, you'll like watching Stachel in his downward spiral. Man vs. Himself: who will win?
One person found this helpful
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Joseph T. Parvana
5.0 out of 5 stars This did not disappoint. While the movie and book differ in ways
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2016
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I have watched the movie numerous times, but had always been intrigued by the book and a deeper story. This did not disappoint.
While the movie and book differ in ways, they both give you a look into another world.
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irene
5.0 out of 5 stars I read this book many years ago and enjoyed it. My copy was a yellowed paperback with ...
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2014
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I read this book many years ago and enjoyed it. My copy was a yellowed paperback with very small print. This will be much easier to read again.
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K. Kreiner
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2013
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's very different from the movie and well worth a read. I wish the rest of the books in the trilogy were as easy to come by as this.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Geoff Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2019
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Even better than the movie, and that's saying something!
One person found this helpful
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Margaret Coyne
5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 5, 2014
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Very pleased with purchase. Hade been read several times and now have the DVD as well. I am interested in this period of history.
One person found this helpful
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Fritz
2.0 out of 5 stars Great film, poor book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2014
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Having seen the magnificent film with George Peppard in the lead and a host of other quality actors I was eager to read the novel this great film was based upon.

Sadly, I am about a third of the way for the book and have found it a dull and light weight read. The characterisations dont have enough depth to make them to make them real and interesting; the lead character, Bruno Stachel, simply comes across as an unpleasant character without any real detail of who he is and what made him that way; he is just more or less plonked in the story.

I didnt find anything special in the descriptions of WWI aviation; the aircraft, the combats and the pilots are again lightly dealt with; a lot more could have been said.

I have read some excellent books on WWI aviation (including No Empty Chairs - a superb read); this book is pale by comparison.

It is more like a notion for a book that hasnt been fully fleshed out.

I really wanted to think positive of this book but in my view it is actually a very poorly written account of world war one combat flying. I may get around to finishing the book, but I doubt it. The only book on this subject I have never finished.

If you havent seen it I thoroughly recommend watching the film of the same name. In my view the film has more depth to the story and the changes made were for the better.
5 people found this helpful
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