Topgun

An American Story

De: Dan Pedersen

Narrado por: Jim Meskimen

On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat.

When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the US Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again.

What resulted was nothing short of a revolution - one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come.

Pedersen takes listeners on a colorful and thrilling ride - from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace - through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" - the best of the best - and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimonial to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Dan Pedersen (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Capt. Dan Pederson became one of a handful of aviators who convinced Navy brass that a change in tactics was essential....The lives he saved though Topgun training earn him the title of American Hero."—Washington Times

"It's hard to read Dan Pedersen's Topgun and not think of Tom Cruise rock-'n'-rollin' through the California mountains in the similarly named motion picture more than 30 years ago...a pleasure to read."—Wall Street Journal

"With the hot-seat velocity and cockpit realism of a military combat thriller, the author delivers exacting details and emotional acuity....A noble, thrillingly realized combat aviation memoir from one of America's finest."—Kirkus Reviews

great listen, you feel like your in the cockpit

a well put together summary of a team's determination and will power to do it right.

Finally....perfection!

Pederson's first first narrative of his journey through naval aviation is moving and inspiring if only due to his honesty at so many levels of life. He explains his journey into military aviation, battle, and the higher callings of teaching and establishment of Top Gun. The continuity, humanity and intellect he shows at the apex of his life is moving, enlightening and endearing. His had been an epic life and he tells it well. And yes...if you are going to fly and be proficient....fly always and often!

Dan Pedersen is a great American

The evolution of the Top Gun academy is an important historical artifact and an interesting story. Dan Pedersen provides some extraordinary insights into the culture of naval aviation. However this book reads more like a philosophical treaty rather than a technical account of military aviation at war.
In fact, it more resembles a military recruitment presentation. Was that the author’s mission?

This is a good listen on the history of Top Gun.

This is a good story that moved at a good pace
and not too long.

Don't Miss The Real Story

Topgun is just 100 percent fun. One can't help but picture the movie, but the men are so much more than that. They're tough, gutsy, and completely focused. Any movie idea is a nonstarter. But it's better. The dedication to the job and the willingness to fight to win, namely in Vietnam, is more admirable than anything. This is what we need today. Men like Pedersen and those like him. Strong men who stood up for the USA in the midst of anti-Vietnam demonstrators and didn't flinch. It's not a complicated listen at all. The reader is along for the ride and loves every minute of it. Jim Meskimen's narration just couldn't be better. He's the perfect narrator for this. You can't help picturing Maverick when he reads it. BRAVO.

What a story, better than the movie!

Dan tells a touching story about flying, love, lost love, flying, losing friends in a poorly run war, and losing a career to a stupid politician. There is a lot of really interesting details and then this man went on the best Podcast on the internet, the Jocko Podcast.

If you want to know how and why the Navy solved its problems getting shot down too much over Vietnam, this book is one of the ones to read.

MikeD

Always having a fascination for aircraft, and spending six years in Army aviation I absolutely love this book. Also, Being a fan of the movie Top Gun and the new one Maverick, it’s great to hear the origins of the actual unit. Very well done.

Wonderfully Written

I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. I was worried that it might not live up to the hype of the previous rave reviews, but it certainly did.

A Must Listen

As a student of history, I loved the context Dan provided. I saw much of the Navy and the Vietnam war in a perspective I was not fully aware of. As a civilian the author dispenses a knowledge of combat and struggles related to deployment and command that are transformative to the uninitiated.

Legends and pioneers abound

Not just a book about flying, it's about the heart of heroes and scrapping to create postive change in the middle of stifling beauraucracy.