A Higher Call

An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

By: Adam Makos

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: “Beautifully told.”—CNN • “A remarkable story…worth retelling and celebrating.”—USA Today • “Oh, it’s a good one!”—Fox News

A beautiful story of a brotherhood between enemies emerges from the horrors of World War II in this New York Times bestseller by the author of Devotion, now a Major Motion Picture.

Four days before Christmas in 1943, a badly damaged American bomber struggled to fly over wartime Germany. At its controls was a twenty-one-year-old pilot. Half his crew lay wounded or dead. It was their first mission. Suddenly a sleek, dark shape pulled up on the bomber’s tail—a German Messerschmitt fighter. Worse, the German pilot was an ace, a man able to destroy the American bomber with the squeeze of a trigger. What happened next would defy imagination and later be called the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II.

This is the true story of the two pilots whose lives collided in the skies that day—the American—Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown, a former farm boy from West Virginia who came to captain a B-17—and the German—Second Lieutenant Franz Stigler, a former airline pilot from Bavaria who sought to avoid fighting in World War II.

A Higher Call follows both Charlie and Franz’s harrowing missions. Charlie would face takeoffs in English fog over the flaming wreckage of his buddies’ planes, flak bursts so close they would light his cockpit, and packs of enemy fighters that would circle his plane like sharks. Franz would face sandstorms in the desert, a crash alone at sea, and the spectacle of one thousand bombers, each with eleven guns, waiting for his attack.

Ultimately, Charlie and Franz would stare across the frozen skies at one another. What happened between them, the American Eighth Air Force would later classify as top secret. It was an act that Franz could never mention without facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search for one another, a last mission that could change their lives forever.

©2012 Adam Makos (P)2013 Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

Critic reviews

“This book grips you like a movie. It’s part Top Gun, part Valkyrie, and more!”(Marcus Brotherton, New York Times best-selling author

“It is often said that ‘war is hell’ - and it is - however, this story reveals how the human spirit can shine in the darkest hours. A Higher Call is an eye-opener.” (Col. Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, WWII)

“‘Can good men be found on both sides of a bad war?’ The author asks the question and delivers the answer. A powerful, haunting read.” (Chuck Tatum, author of Red Blood, Black Sand)

Well done nonfiction never disappoints

I didn't want to put it down. Another harrowing, yet enlightening story of war's savage toll on humankind; how it elevates and degrades, all at once, the whole of earth itself. I highly recommend it!

what a story! what writing!

will easily become one of my all time favorites. an amazingly real story, perfectly written and narrated.

what struck me after reading so much history on the air War was how the author humanized the luftwaffe. it was an amazing perspective to take in once you remember it's not fiction. beautifully narrated, I had a hard time shutting this one off

Wonderful !

For any World War II historian this is A magnificent story of two soldiers, One German one American two wonderful men

Great listen

This book takes you on a story I didn't expect. It is an amazing story and very well told and read. I feel richer for having heard about the life of Franz. Definitely recommended.

We both loved it

If you could sum up A Higher Call in three words, what would they be?

Strength,Spirit, Family

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried and laughed and felt like I was with them both.

Any additional comments?

War is terrible. To fight for ones country is fighting for your family, friends, and loved ones.
This true story tore my heart out in so many ways, but I loved all of it.

A Fantastic Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is unique because it tells the story from two perspectives. An American bomber pilot and a German fighter pilot. It reveals much about the U.S. Air Force and German Luftwaffe, it's pilots and the triumphs and hardships they experienced during the war. And of course, the incredible story of these two men's first meeting...

What did you like best about this story?

This is tough to answer. Obviously the story about the "encounter" is gripping and extraordinary. I appreciate the author sharing both men's stories. Especially detailing the experiences of Franz Stigler during the war. I suspect Mr. Brown was less open about his experiences and his encounter with a sympathetic German pilot was one the few memories he did not want to forget... Whereas Mr. Stigler seemed more open to share his experiences. Most Americans (myself included) know little or nothing about the German Luftwaffe and it's pilots. Very intriguing.

Have you listened to any of Robertson Dean’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any of Robertson Dean's other book performances. However, his performance was so good, any decision to purchase an audiobook would be made much easier knowing he is narrating.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Of course, the encounter of Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown in the skies above Germany.

Any additional comments?

I so enjoyed this book, I've listened to it three times. The book was extremely very well written and narrated. What an experience it must have been for Adam Makos to have had the privilege of interviewing both of these fine men!

Excellent Story / Excellent Book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes: Besides the action built in to nearly every minute, there is the moral, human, and personal elements of war presented in a way that requires the reader to think about his or her own condition. This story is so improbable, yet its truth is indisputable. I would love to see this book made into a movie as a way to present to a larger audience one story of the moral conflict that so many faced during WWII and wars preceding and following it. Buy it, you will not regret this purchase.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Terrible Narration but great book

It was hard getting past the narration of this book. I usually listen at 1.5 but listened to this one at 1.3 speed which made the narrator sound like Elmer Fudd from the old Buggs Bunny cartoons.
The story, however was great. I love personal accounts and hearing how the the author felt during his experiences.
The story goes from going to flight training school to the bombing of Peal Harbor to missions in Africa and England. The author meets Jimmy Stewart and is in London during V2 rocket attacks.

Amazing book

This book met and exceeded all expectations. It is one of the best World War II books I've ever read.

Forget German Accented English

German-accented English was highly distractive, and completely un-necessary. It ruined a good story. Too bad