• On a Wing and a Prayer

  • The Untold Story of the First Heroes of the Air
  • By: Joshua Levine
  • Narrated by: Joshua Levine
  • Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (9 ratings)

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On a Wing and a Prayer  By  cover art

On a Wing and a Prayer

By: Joshua Levine
Narrated by: Joshua Levine
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Publisher's summary

Few are aware of the risks that the pioneering airmen of the First World War took. On a Wing and a Prayer is a narrative history that conveys the perils of those early days, the thrills of learning to fly, and the horrors of war in the air at a time when pilots carried little defensive armament and no parachutes.

In 1914 aircrafts were a questionable technology, used for only basic reconnaissance. But by 1918, hastened by the terrible war, aircraft were understood to be the future of modern warfare. The war changed flying forever.

The stories are presented to the reader in a frank and open way, revealing the feelings of the men who defended the trenches from above and witnessed the war from a completely different perspective.

©2008 Joshua Levine (P)2008 WF Howes Ltd
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about On a Wing and a Prayer

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

On a Wing and a Prayer (unabridged)

This book provides an insight to the fragility of the aircraft that were flown in those days. It must have taken huge courage to get into the earlier models and take off. Fortunately, they flew so slowly, they could land almost anywhere.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Just Wishing It was much longer

The subject of the Flying Aces of WWI, and in this case those who pioneered the phenomenon, is one of the most fascinating topics in all of military history. Joshua Levine has managed to write an engaging, lively narrative about the men who were the first to fly in this capacity, brining the realities home for the reader. Not only was flying extremely dangerous during this time during combat, but most died in basic accidents. The men of the Royal Air corp were the bravest of men. There is never a dull moment and one wishes the book would never end. It's that good. And in narrating, Levine does a stand out job. What a wonderful listening experience. It just doesn't get better.

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