Tail-End Charley

Stories from an American Fighter Pilot in World War II

By: James E. Brown

Narrated by: Bob Souer

Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

On his 19th birthday, James E. Brown tries to fake to his flight instructor that he has flown before. On his 21st birthday, Brown is on his way home after logging 85 missions in a P-47 fighter over Italy, France, and Germany.

Brown's stories surrounding his training and combat experiences in World War II reveal brushes with death, continuous peril and, ultimately, a coming of age for a young man whose freshman year in college becomes instead a heroic engagement with one of the fiercest enemies his country has ever encountered.

Ever dutiful to the mother who tells him to "write it down, Jamie", Brown notes his experiences in the journal she provides and adds detail later to deliver a firsthand account of life as a pilot in the final months of combat within the European Theater.

Serving as Tail-End Charley - the last man out - in most of the missions he flew, Brown's job was to record results for the interrogation officers afterward. But Brown offers much more insight in this memoir. Follow his triumphs and travails with colleagues who become lifelong compatriots during an indelible period in American history.

©2017 James E. Brown (P)2018 Tantor

The way it was

Good story about the every day lives of World War II fighter pilots as seen from the cockpit of a P47 fighter plane. It provides a perspective of every day strafing and dive bombing which you don’t see in other books

great detail of the men who fearlessly flew P47 thunderbolts on low level missions in 44-1945 over hostile terrain and a still dangerous enemy.

So entertaining - I was sad when it was over

The amazing personal story provided insight on the activities and relationships that form during a critical time of the war. I was so entertained by the experience I was tempted to listen to It immediately again. You start to love each and everyone of his buddies and have genuine affection for the author. What a story he shared.

Authentic

Although sometimes the tome repeats,it can be a good thing. The author never brags in fact he lessens his roll in the war. I listened to it non stop a rarity for me. It is a hopeful diary of someone living day to day. I recommend his story.

Realistic but not top of the line

Nothing wrong with this, but not that notable

He doesn’t enter combat till November 1944, Italy

Typical story is going across enemy lines, zig-zag through heavy flak to drop bombs on a bridge or the like. Each story too much like the previous. This is of course more the story of a typical pilot on typical missions being a typical hero

Good performance, ok srory

Interesting story about P47 fliers near the end of WWIi. The narrator tried to build up suspense and I kept waiting for more action. Don't get me wrong, author and his colleagues made a great contribution and sacrifice, but a little mundane.

A genuine book

Really loved listening the memoirs. Not just the heroic moments but the comedic experiences too. I only wished I could've see the pictures referenced. I tried to look some up but didn't have any luck.

Outstanding History

This is an outstanding historical account of the men who flew the P-47 “Jug” in the Mediterranean theater of World War II. James E. Brown did a wonderful job of capturing and writing about the story of his and his friend’s training before the war and then the combat they experienced together that followed. Highly recommended for reading or listening pleasure. A very important historical record of that time.

Surprisingly has become one of my favorites!

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It isn't a tale of white knuckle dogfights but a great story of regular guys with their banter and affection towards one another. Men who answered the call, served their country and went home to get on with their lives. I loved that it focused on the P-47, the plane that broke the back of the Luftwaffe. The narrator did a great job, great voice to listen to.

Good easy listening

Stories from a average(if there is such a thing) P47 fighter pilot. What a life it must have been. Listening to the excitement, drudgery and sadness of war, this book provided all.