The Wild Blue

The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Jeffrey DeMunn

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

The very young men who flew the B24s over Germany in World War II against terrible odds were an exemplary band of brothers. In The Wild Blue, Stephen Ambrose recounts their extraordinary brand of heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship.

Ambrose describes how the Army Air Forces recruited, trained, and chose those few who would undertake the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the war. These are the boys - turned pilots, bombardiers, navigators, and gunners of the B24s - who suffered over 50 percent casualties.

Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B24s as their crews fought to the death through thick, black, deadly flak to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine or else went down in flames. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, who was to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew 35 combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. We meet him and his mates, his co-pilot killed in action, and crews of other planes - many of whom did not come back.

As Band of Brothers and Citizen Soldiers portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldier from Normandy on to Germany, The Wild Blue makes clear the contribution these young men of the Army Air Forces stationed in Italy made to the Allied victory.

©2001 Stephen E. Ambrose (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Brilliant.... It is a terrific story." (Larry King, USA Today)

" The Wild Blue is right on target...[the book] finally gives those men of the 15th Air Force the tribute they so richly earned." ( The Dallas Morning News)

Not my usual type of read but.....

This book was suggested by a trusted friend and local school teacher. Because I respect him I took the chance to walk away from the norm and I am not sorry, I found the book informative. I learned alot about another part of world war 2. I have an interest in that era. But I had never read much about the bombers and the devoted fliers that created such an important part of the war effort and outcome. I also realized I knew little of George Mcgovern and his involvement in this part of the war. I have a knew respect for him and his wife. It is very well written and seemed to be planned and delivered in a good way. Read it.

Heart warming stories of Courage and endurance

If you really wish to know how hard life was for these guys, I highly recommend this book. They would fly for 6 to 12 hours in 20 degree below air with little heat and only hard steel seats to sit on. On many days "at the office" 30% of their co-workers would not return home. The stories are deeply moving mixed with some good humor. I could not put it down.

Keeps Moving / Interesting!

It really hits you: these are kids out of high school, engaged in an international conflict of epic proportions, using the latest technology (unproven), and half of them died. OSHA would not approve! But they did it - they manned up and did the job. This book really puts the reader there, through lots of stories both on the ground and in the air. It's just the kind of WWII book I love: stories from the men and women engaged in the conflict. I told my 12 year old to listen to it and he couldn't put it down! He also wondered what Spam was, so we bought a can! Mr. DeMunn is perfect for reading this book.

History

I really have no words to fully grasp how much I appreciate this book. truly.

Yonder

Not just another WW II (yawn) book.
This is well worth your time.
Follow a bomber pilot from farm to flights, making his way through training, piloting In wartime, and running for POTUS.
Well done.

The old is new again

I first bought this audio as a “book on tape” to listen to while traveling in the car but just never got around to listening to it. Now over 10 years later I’ve finally got to hear the story. It is a great story of young men who performed as no others have since. I sincerely recommend this book.

made me I had voted for George Mcgovern M

If you know any men and/or ladies who were part of the WW II air war you will gain a better understanding of them by listening to this!

In your face combat accounts

The book was well written. A little hard to follow all the different men covered. Combat tales were second to none. The narration was at times tough to listen to.

Good stories good men

I'm glad this book set history straight about George McGovern He was a good man who did his duty for America His name and reputation was dragged through the mud during his campaign for President But no one can say he did not due his duty to defend his nation What he and his fellow airmen did will always be remembered as heroic

Required Reading

As a political conservative I was somewhat concerned about the book's central figure, George McGovern and the direction the book might go. However, my brother-in-law was also a B24 pilot based in England during WW2 and since he, like most veterans, spoke little of their war experiences and I was curious to learn more about what they went through.
I now think this book should be required reading in all high school history. Today we have no idea of what the "Greatest Generation" went through and gave so that we can enjoy the freedoms and blessings we take for granted today.