Lemay

By: Barrett Tillman

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's summary

Packed with breathtaking air battles and ground tactics, this new addition to the Great Generals series features the controversial command and strategies of the former Air Force Chief of Staff.

Curtis LeMay was a terrifying, complex, and brilliant general. In World War II, he ordered the firebombing of Tokyo and was in charge when atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. He was responsible for tens of thousands of civilian deaths, a fact he liked to celebrate by smoking Cuban cigars. But LeMay was also the man who single-handedly transformed the American Air Force from poorly trained and badly equipped pilots into one of the fiercest weapons of the war. Over the last decades, most U.S. military missions have been carried out entirely through use of the Air Force. This is LeMay's legacy.

©2007 Barrett Tillman (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Curtis E. LeMay...was far more complex than his detractors claim. Barrett Tillman, one of America's top history writers, gives us an authentic feel for LeMay and for the way LeMay left his mark on the 20th century." (Air Force Times)

Overly Positive and sycophantic

Very good narrative. Any problem was someone else's fault. Lemay could do no wrong.

Good General Information and Performance, Lacking On Objectivity

I read this book out of genuine interest to learn about how one of the Air Forces most influential men lived his life. While this book did a great job with covering a lot of Lemay’s life, it felt like it only had time to briefly mention each major event. There was very little, if any, analysis of the decisions he made or how greatly he influenced the infant Air Force and the world at large.

Inside the driving forces in LeMay

LeMay is a driven, complicated man who made world-changing war decisions. Responsibilities fell on the shoulders of a man who could handle them.

Great story about an American Hero!

This book had an excellent narrator. Secondly, the book is well written reflecting General LeMays life and service. Anyone interested in the man will learn much by listening!

Excellent

Cogent. Excellent writing. Excellent narration. Detailed and entertaining. Interested in hearing more books from author. Helps explain Dr Strangelove!

A Plus Book.

This book told an extremely interesting story in a direct way and used words to paint pictures that were clear. Submitted 9-29-2023z

Fawning and uncritical

The author, an employee of the Tailhook Association, knows where his bread is buttered. This is a book for the crowd that wants to hear how everything was better back in the old days. Completely glosses over the fact this man ran for president on a segregationist ticket. I also learned more about this man ham radio hobby than his wife and daughter.

LeMay was a Hard-Core Legendary Leader

As a former Marine, my life has been filled with Chesty Puller, Presley O'Bannon and Molly Marine for as long as I can remember. LeMay is my first introduction to leadership from the Air Force. I love reading about LeMay's life. He seems more legendary than real, a solid modern day hero. I love the stories about his ability to return his team to combat, either by giving them a mental health break or, best, by moving a mutinying bomber pilot who had crew members die on three consecutive flights to a fighter. The pilot didn't mind risking his own neck; he just didn't want to kill America's sons.

This books is chalked full of great anecdotes of awesome and inspiring leadership. LeMay was a real no-nonsense, mission-focused, tolerate no BS kinda guy. While gruff, he took recommendations, even criticisms from subordinates and implemented ideas when they seemed effective. He was at the helm for some of the most unseemly elements of America's history including the firebombing of Tokyo and Enola Gay's flight over Hiroshima, but he never blinked. He did what he thought was necessary to keep the world free from dictatorship.

He reshaped America's concept and use of air power and technology.

This book is a nice blend of facts and stories that tells not only the history, but also the mystery of what was LeMay. I'm enamored. It's a great audiobook too. Narration is smooth.

Great information

Easy read. I learned to see LeMay in a good light. I got unconfused about his role in the Bay of Pigs
Spacestationark

Engaging biography from a distinct perspective

No question the subject of this biography was a remarkable person. The book is well done and engaging. But the perspective of the author (critical of arm-chair generals, including Kennedy and LBJ, and maybe correctly so) leaves me wanting to find an author who’s written a more critical book on Gen. Lemay. As a free audible book to those who subscribe and have run out of credits until the next month this book was a no brainier to listen to!