LeMay

By: Warren Kozak

Narrated by: Grainger Hines

The firebombing of Tokyo. Strategic Air Command. John F. Kennedy. Dr. Strangelove. George Wallace. All of these have one man in common—General Curtis LeMay, who remains as enigmatic and controversial as he was in life.

Until now. Warren Kozak traces the trajectory of America’s most infamous general, from his troubled background and heroic service in Europe to his firebombing of Tokyo, guardianship of the U.S. nuclear arsenal in the Cold War, frustrated career in government, and short-lived political run. Curtis LeMay’s life spanned an epoch in American military history, from the small U.S. Army Air Corps of the interwar years to the nuclear age.

LeMay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis LeMay tells the whole story of the innovative pilot and navigator; the courageous general who led his bomber formations from the front, flying the lead bomber; the brilliant strategist; the unflagging patriot; and the founder of modern strategic bombing, who was both famous and notorious. The book is an unprecedented glimpse into the might and mind of one of the founding fathers of air power, whose influence, and controversy, continues to this day.

©2009 Warren Kozak (P)2012 Phoenix Books

Important historical figure

Lemay played an outsized role during one of the most fraught periods of American history.

Narration was astonishingly poor. Is 'conflagoration' a word?

Definition.....Leader.....General Curtis Le May

What did you love best about LeMay?

He thoroughly knew his mission and committed every ounce of his being to see it through to ultimate Victory

Who was your favorite character and why?

who else but General Curtis Le May. He understood we were at war,and there are no half measures in war. He lead from the front and used every resource made available to him to bring down the Japanese empire from the air. Much criticized for his ruthless attitude of round the clock firebombing of japan which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians but anything less would of been half measure. His attitude of ill take the job as long as everyone is clear im here to kill the enemy non stop 24 hours a day 7 days a week forever if necessary if that sounds to harsh or maniacal Get somebody else!! I fight to win. America is The powerful nation it is because a boy can be born holding the seeds of greatness in his heart and with hard work rise from nothing to be a great man a man like Curtis Le May

Which character – as performed by Grainger Hines – was your favorite?

Grainger Hines did a superb job narrating I enjoyed all 3 listens

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

one Generals formula for victory

Any additional comments?

Forget his Politics forgive his mistakes for in our nations darkest days was a high ranking Army officer who lead his men into the frighting sky's of Europe against a highly trained and experienced Luftwaffe trying to perfect the fledgling art of precision daylight bombing he didn't have to fly but he did he was the boss he trained his men relentlessly to win and when the worst of the worst missions came he calmed his men by saying do your job and follow me My favorite General Curtis Le May

The true story of who he was

The Reid was a bit amateur. Mispronouncing common words and well-known names, like Louis Brandeis.

Excellent biography

This is an even-handed and excellent biography of an American war hero and imperfect man. LeMay gave his detractors enough material for them to caricature him as a war monger. This book acknowledges this while demonstrating LeMay’s sense of duty and brilliance. Americans quickly forget the tragic heroes like LeMay, whose actions preserved this country in World War 2.

Excellent story.

I’ve always liked Gen. Lemay. He made the Air Force great through the 80s, even though he died before that.

This narrator has troubles pronouncing simple words correctly. Was this Audible book even edited. It’s disgraceful.

Brilliant!

What a great book at such a detailed account of a true American hero. The stories told in this biography keep the listener both entertained and in awe. This book is great for anyone interested in Air Force or military history.

great book and story

Narrator Tom Weiner, was horrible and could not say many names correctly. Poor preparation on his part