A Hostage to Fortune

It's hard to believe one person could be a film maker, Broadway actor, jungle explorer, fisherman, spy, farmer, novelist, airline pilot, not to mention a dozen other things. It's one story after another. Amazing...

I thought this book to be one of the all time classics of the last generations aviation master storey tellers.So much of this book one can rediscover the roots of ones own make up and closer connection to the flying world, romance and lifes experience.I've read and reread this book several times and enjoyed the experience each time.Thank you Ernie Gann for bringing us fellow airman into your world of storey telling in subjects we all understand.

this is, with out a doubt, one of the best non-fiction adventure books ever written. Gann takes the reader with him through his turbulent life. From movie maker to actor to aviator to seaman to author. his life was a constant adventure and he seemed to never age (at 69 he flew the U-2 spy plane, along with several other high-preformance military aircraft). his style is eloquent and keeps the reader enthralled throughout the book. this is an excellent book, regardless of whether you enjoy aviation books.

This book, along with several of Gann's other aviation works are some of the few items I truly treasure. Each has been reread many times and will be again.If you love sailing, do all you can to find a copy of Ernie's "Song of the Sirens." You will forever thank me if you are so lucky to find one.

Gann takes us through his life, since childhood, and recounts his rich experiences masterfully. It both brings laughter and tears to your eyes. Gann was living proof that in one lifetime you could be an accomplished actor, sailor, pilot and writer. Moreover, in each of those endeavours he met and shared experiences with legends in their fields, such as Jack Warner, John Wayne, Charles Lindbergh and countless others. Gann recounts how he continuously met and dealt with triumph and disaster. Nevertheless, Gann retains a moving modesty about his own achievements. This is a must-read book for all lovers of adventure and for all who admire real-life swashbuckling romantics. It is an inspiring book which confirms that life is full of opportunity, if you have the right skills and mindset.