Although fictionalized,Sam Halpern's book is a vivid account of what it must have been like to be a member of a B-17 bomber crew in 1943-44. The characters and their experiences seem very true to life. As the story unfolds one finds oneself altering opinions about various players in this extraordinary drama of bravery, fear, anger, craziness, cynicism, and fatalism. Most compelling is the main character's evolution as he seeks a way to deal with the randomness of death, the loss of close buddies, and his own survival. My father was a B-17 bomber pilot stationed at Bassingbourn during the same time period of the book and about the same age as Halpern's main character, although he stayed on to fly 52 missions and survive. He rarely talked about his war-time experiences, and after reading Halpern's book I can see why he would choose not to share such memories with his daughters. I recommend this book highly and thank its author for reminding us of the grueling constancy and extraordinary heroism of those brave young men whose wings signalled glamor, but whose experiences brought them daily terror.

Sam Halpert vividly describes the sheer terror faced by B-17 bomber crews flying over Germany during World War II. Indeed, dodging flak bursts and German fighter planes was only part of the horror. Flying in formations so tight that any given bomber was likely to crash and burn in each mission was another part. Mr. Halpert's striking account of such terror scared even me.

Mr. Halpert also does a wonderful job of putting into words the thoughts and feelings of those who flew the missions. From the early morning wake-up calls, to crazy off-base antics, few books or movies have allowed me such an intimate glimpse of the life of a World War II soldier. One such book that I recommend is "Rendezvous in the Coral Sea," by Randolph Chitwood.

And so I say thanks to Mr. Halpert for writing this story. Thanks for your sacrifice and for telling it like it was. And thanks to the men who didn't make it back.

What an amazing account of a day in the life of a WWII B-17 soldier. The details are what make this book great. You really feel what the soldiers feel. It not only covers the missions but the day to day life and thought processes of the soldier. A truly amazing book!!!

Can't wait for the movie :-)