Jayhawk

Love, Loss, Liberation and Terror over the Pacific

By: Jay A. Stout, George L. Cooper

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother, George Cooper is one of the few surviving veteran pilots who saw action over such fearsome targets as Rabaul and Wewak. Not just another flag-waving story of air combat, Jayhawk describes the war as it really was - a conflict with far-reaching tentacles that gripped and tore at not only the combatants, but also their families, friends, and the way they lived their lives.

Stout examines the story of Cooper’s growing up in gentle and idyllic pre-war Manila and how he grew to be the man he is. At 100 years old, few men are left alive who can share similar experiences. Stout reviews Cooper’s journey to the United States and his unlikely entry into the United States Army Air Forces. Trained as a B-25 pilot, Cooper was assigned to the iconic 345th Bomb Group and flew strafing missions that shredded the enemy, but likewise put himself and his comrades in grave danger. A husband and father, Cooper was pulled two ways by the call of duty and his obligation to his wife and daughter. And always on his mind was the family he left behind in the Philippines who were in thrall to the Japanese.

©2020 Jay A. Stout (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Outstanding.

A fantastic story that weaves personal flying experiences against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of The Philippines and war in the Pacific. The fact that the main character and family have roots in Kansas and The University of Kansas makes this Jayhawk and current Kansas resident very proud. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Jay A. Stout as his best

Jay A. Stout is at his best when writing very specific narrative history about the subject he knows best. And this is one example. It’s more than history. He brings the story of George Cooper to life. And when combined with Robertson Dean’s narration, it’s electric.

Not your average war story.

About as close to how it was as you will get.
Highest recommendation to anyone interested in WW II.

A Fuller Picture

This book is notable for including more than just the battles and warfare stories. It includes interesting details about life in one of the WW2 Philippine internment camps, the strain on homelife, and other such aspects that offer up a fuller picture of one warrior's wartime experiences.

An absolute must for any student of the Pacific Air War

This is a follow up but separate book to Air Apaches. It is an amazing and thorough look at the 345th from the only living pilot to fight with them from the beginning of the war. A must read that you will enjoy from beginning to end of a true American hero. It also includes amazing background about his life in the Philippines before and leading up to the war.

Great book

Humanistic and gripping recounting of remarkable pilot in ww2. Highly recommended
Highly recommended to o listeners

Love This Book

A tightly told story of air combat and all its terrors, wrapped within a greater story of love, family and duty. Highly readable and engaging.

Insightful and Moving Perspective

I have enjoyed countless books on various campaigns and individuals in WW2, this one generated an insightful and moving perspective that I have not experienced to date.

Awesome first person account

I enjoyed this book immensely & highly recommend it .. as a USAF pilot, I identified with many of the experiences of George Cooper

Another Jay Stout Triumph

Jay Stout has become the preeminent historian of World War II air combat. He takes the reader aboard the bombers and fighters and as much as any book can makes the reader a crew member. In “Jayhawks,” Colonel Stout and his co-author and original source collaborator Colonel George Cooper weave a rich history of the savage low-level air battles that helped win the war in the Far East. The vivid descriptions of B-25 and A-20 air missions in and around Rabaul and Port Moresby admirably augment the stories told in “Air Apaches.” Pappy Gunn and George Cooper will live forever in the proud annals of the USAAF. Thanks also to Robertson Dean whose stellar performances delight Audible listeners.