A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
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Book Overview
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: "Beautifully told."--CNN - "A remarkable story...worth retelling and celebrating."--USA Today - "Oh, it's a good one!"--Fox News A "beautiful story of a brotherhood between enemies" emerges from the horrors of World War II in this New York Times bestseller by the author of Devotion, now a Major Motion Picture.
December, 1943 A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this, their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber's tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler--and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger... What happened next would defy imagination and later be called "the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II." The U.S. 8th Air Force would later classify what happened between them as "top secret." It was an act that Franz could never mention for fear of facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search the world for each other, a last mission that could change their lives forever.
December, 1943 A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this, their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber's tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler--and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger... What happened next would defy imagination and later be called "the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II." The U.S. 8th Air Force would later classify what happened between them as "top secret." It was an act that Franz could never mention for fear of facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search the world for each other, a last mission that could change their lives forever.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0425255735
ISBN13:9780425255735
Release Date:May 2014
Publisher:Dutton Caliber
Length:400 Pages
Weight:1.16 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 5.9" x 8.9"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Customer Reviews
7 ratings
Absolutely a book that's hard to put down
Published by Tom Mckenzie , 4 months ago
Have been a WW2 reading buff for a lot of years. This true story should have been made into a movie.
Great book
Published by Jackie , 7 months ago
I knew the story that the book is based on. The author went into more detail. I've seen the interviews but I wanted the entire history. Very well done
One of the best stories from WWII that I have read!
Published by Frank Gennicks , 11 months ago
I have been a student of WWII since I was a kid. I knew that many Germans were not Nazis. This story brings that out more than any that I have read. It is an inspiration. There were many good men in each army and this is proof.
Excellent Read!!
Published by Kenzie Stutzman , 2 years ago
This is one of the best WWII books out there! A definite keeper. =) It opened my eyes to a whole different side of the Germans that fought in the war.
Good story, mediocre writing.
Published by Jerry K , 2 years ago
While the story is fascinating the writing is filled with minor errors a good editor should have caught.
Incredible and very inspiring story! This book is a must read if you are interested in World War II.
Published by Dawn , 2 years ago
I loved that it gives both sides of the story of World War II pilots (American and German), and shows the humanity of both.
An amazing story
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 6 years ago
This is a very interesting book. It's hard to put down. It's written from both sides of the picture. Charlie Brown the American bomber and Franz Stigler the German fighter. It's a true story that shows that shows that all because a man is on the other side doesn't mean he's bad. My Dad and my siblings ages 8 and up all loved the book. Some details might not be exactly for young readers. But we enjoyed it anyway. A must read. Includes pictures.
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