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)

One of the best true war story I heard in a little

it a book that keeps me coming back. It gives me hope for everyone to find brother hood

Wonderful Story

So glad Mr Makos went outside his rule and learned about this story to write it. What a heartfelt story in the middle of war. Truly enjoyed this book and could not stop listening. Thank you for writing it.

Gave me a perspective of the German pilots and people that I had never considered.

Excellent story of humanity and respect for pilots regardless of nationality. Worth the time to listen.

Highly recommend

Perfectly narrated, wonderfully written. This book puts you in the pilots seats, and in the pilots thoughts and WWII started and ended. A Must-Read for anyone interested in how people are capable of incredible things to protect their home, and how honor always serves best.

Well worth a listen!

A superb and surprising story. The information into the German fighter forces was insightful. It's strengthened my respect for all combat pilots of all nations.

Fantastic book.

I’ve told everyone I know what a great book this is. You won’t be disappointed.

Very Compelling story That I never heard before

I thought the story lines were woven together In a seamless way that made the Narrative Very compelling .

Outstanding!

Truth without spin, how rare in these times.
This book is true to it’s title, & now one of my favorites. Give it a chance, You won’t be disappointed.

Truly Powerful and Informative

This is essential reading for any 20th century history buff, as well as a tale that needs to be told to understand why such an earth shaking event like World War 2 happened, as well as how every side consisted if valor and heroes despite the malevolent governments involved.

Incredible book!

what an incredible true story of human compassion. so sad it took so long for the remaining crew to re-unite.