MiG Alley

The US Air Force in Korea, 1950-53

By: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver

Narrated by: David de Vries

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Of the many myths that emerged following the end of the Korean War, the prevailing one in the West was that of the absolute supremacy of US Air Force pilots and aircraft over their Soviet-supplied opponents. The claims of the 10:1 victory-loss ratio achieved by the US Air Force fighter pilots flying the North American F-86 Sabre against their communist adversaries, amongst other such fabrications, went unchallenged until the end of the Cold War, when Soviet records of the conflict were finally opened.

From that point onwards, a very different story began to emerge. Far from decisive American victories over an unsophisticated opponent, the aerial battles of the Korean War were, at least in the early years, evenly matched affairs, fought to an approximate 1:1 victory-loss ratio. Though the Soviet victories declined over the following years, this had more to do with home politics than American tactics.

In addition to the aerial combat over MiG Alley, this title covers the full range of US Air Force activities over Korea, including the failed strategic bombing campaign and the escalating nuclear threat. Incorporating first-hand accounts from those involved, both US and Soviet, this new history of the US Air Force in Korea reveals the full story of this bitter struggle in the Eastern skies.

©2019 Thomas McKelvey Cleaver (P)2019 Tantor

Excellent

The sample makes it sound kinda like a textbook but not so, it’s really well done. Interesting day to day action of the Korean air war. Highly recommend!

In the Cockpit!

Wow, this audio book is extremely detailed, don' let that stop you from listening to it. The stories about the pilots and their jets put you in Mig Alley in the early 1950's. I have listened to this audio book multiple times to appreciate the fearless choices made by pilots from both sides of the Korean Conflict. The descriptions of the dog fights make you feel as if you are in the cockpits on both sides. This story is about fighting for freedom. I recommend Mig Alley and hope you enjoy learning the history of the "Forgotten War" as much as I did.

A New Look at the Koren Air War

This book questions the long-held viewpoint that the USAF F86 Sabre Jet had a 10-1 kill rate over the MIG-15s and that the USAF dominated the sky of the Korean War. This is an easily readable revisionist history of the air war from 1950-53.

Cleaver had access to the newly opened Russian and Chinese archives and revealed that the aerial war was more complicated than originally reported. The author revealed how, driven by the new jet aircraft, the aerial war evolved with new doctrine, training and tactics as well as overall strategies. The section dealing with the designing of the MIG-15 and F86 Sabre Jet got technical and a bit boring. But, the section about the men who were the Ace fighters was gripping. Cleaver wrote great descriptions of the aerial dog fights. The book provided more information to help understand the Korean War. History buffs will enjoy this book.

The book is fourteen hours and eleven minutes. David de Vries does a good job narrating the book.

Better That Expected

All I was expecting from this audible book was some exciting accounts of aerial jet dogfights, but it was much more, to my delight. I got a thorough understanding of the Korean War, beginning to end, that I had never fully understood before, and how air power played a role. I am glad I got the audible version of the book because it was so thorough in details of names, stats, places, dates, times, and military units that it would have been distracting if trying to actually read it as a book. It could easily serve as comprehensive reference material. That said, it is well written and presented such that it was difficult to take a break while listening. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn about the Korean War. And yes, there are plenty of first-hand accounts of jet-on-jet dogfights between the F-86 Sabre and the Soviet MiG-15.

excellent book

I did not have a real working knowledge of the Korean conflict and this book enlighten me greatly on the air War that occurred in great detail

Good Descriptions A Bit Repetitive

Summary given multiple times. A lot of material I had never heard. The perspectives from combatants and leadership were excellent. You will get sick of hearing all SI units converted to imperial.

Lots of detail

My dad did 2 tours in Korea as a USN fighter pilot. This book did a good job of explaining the details I did not know. I wish I could get my dad’s opinion of the book, as he has been gone 20 years now.

Chronology of historic events

This is a chronology of events, which are sometimes presented as overlapping. As a historical narrative, it’s fine. As a story, it lacks sufficient background and stories of the pilots to bring it to life.
Significant effort is applied to tell how relatively recently released information contradicts claimed wartime successes by all sides during the war.

Good technical information and performance

Some of the book was a bit repetative. Good subject matter and information. Interesting look into a forgotten war.