Wolfgang Samuel does it again... After penning German Boy, a book relating his own experiences as a German youth fighting for survival at the end of WWII, Samuel examines the post-World War II Cold War through the eyes of American air force flyers. As a reader, I found it refreshing that throughout the book Samuel allowed military aviators to tell their own stories. But more importantly, he puts the events and activities into historical context so that readers who are not steeped in the history of the time understand the critical importance of the Cold War air effort documented by him. Early on, we hear American flyers saying "I Always Wanted to Fly" but I found the stories to be about commitment, motivation, dedication and the determined fight for the very freedoms we enjoy everyday. This book is a must read for history buffs and an adventurous, exciting and engaging work for any reader interested in the Cold War.

In this extraordinary book you learn what it cost America to maintain our freedom - the many lives lost of airmen who flew what they called reconnaissance against the Soviet Union and Communist China. I never knew much about this secret war. Well, I Always Wanted to Fly, tells you all about those brave men who flew the RB-45 and the RB-47 in the coldest years of the Cold War. It tells you about the picture takers and those who gathered the electronic intelligence. At times their cold war flights got pretty hot. Samuel takes you along on one of those missions high over the Barents Sea, lets you experience what Hal Austin and his crew felt when they turned south, heading for Archangelsk. I admire those men and Samuel told their story beautifully. This is a book you don't want to miss if you have any interest in Cold War reconnaissance. I call them spy flights.

Another outstanding book by Wolfgang Samuel as he presents another facet of history in way it always needed to be told. We tend to look at history from the perspective of those who shape history - the politicians and statesmen, but here we see it from the perspective of those who make history - the military, as they go about doing their job. So eloquently written that the reader can't help but feel like being along on the mission as part of the crew - exciting, frightening and an unforgetable experience. The author has made it possible for the general public to get a taste of the airmen's world and to look behind the scenes of the many battles and wars fought since the end of World War 11. It makes one proud and appreciative of our Cold War Airmen, and thankful to them for a job well done. Highly recommend this book, as it's an eye opener for anyone who wants to know what has been going on during the last fifty five years.

This was one of the best books on the subject of the Bataan death March and Philippine Invasion that I've read. Col. Alexander's personal account brings the events upfront and real to the reader. You truly feel part of the Col.'s ordeal. I reccomend it highly.

I cannot of course write a review of this book yet as I do not have a copy. I do have the original manuscript and I will give you my opinions after I read the book. I am his daughter in law and the mother of his four grandchildren.

Janet Alexander 4910 Meadowlark ln. DICKINSON tX, 77539

My interest in the Second World War was rekindled by reading the bestseller WWII book, "The Triumph and the Glory", part of which was devoted to the Remagen Bridge capture. "The Bridge at Remagen" filled in all of the details about how the Rhine was breached in fine fashion, the author has done a great job describing the events surrounding one of the great episodes of WWII.

One of my favorite books relating to WWII is "The Bridge at Remagen" and had I the opportunity to witness a portion of the movie set, on location at Remagen on the Rhine River. I was attending Frankfurt American High School 1968 through 1970 and had the fortune of watching the movie set which was used for all the on-site location shoots for the David Wolper Film. I had gone on a Rhine River Cruise in 1968 and stopped to observe the film shooting that took place. The movie was released a year later and became a huge box office hit in 1969. I read the first paperback in 1978 by Ken Hechler and consequently his 1994 book with the same title. I found the book to be historicaly accurate and intensely focused on the human factor of the major caracters in the story. I would recommend that if all possible, any reader should visit the Museum opened in one of the original Towers at the the site of the former bridge that pays homage to the events and lives from March 7th, 1945. Take the Rhine River Cruise that starts in Bingen and goes north to Bonn past Remagen; you will see the most incredible sights of the Castles and the Rhine Valley, sending you back in time to help you experience the book. My wife and I just took the tour in August and I had to read the book again.