Hunting Warbirds: The Obsessive Quest for the Lost Aircraft of World War II

As an aviation buff, I loved Hunting Warbirds; as a lover of narrative nonfiction and adventure, I loved it too. I followed the story of the Kee Bird on PBS and Hoffman's account brings it into focus and context, plus adds tons of detail about the story that I've never seen anywhere before. A bit of history, adventure, Greenland as a place, the story of two riveting characters, all interwoven in a narrative I couldn't put down. I did notice a few typos and technical errors, but I've noticed them in Ambrose's Wild Blue Younder, too, and none that mitigate the essence of the book and story, told simply. I guess, to me, the book transcends aviation - it's just an exciting story.

I was pleased with this book. It was an enjoyable introduction to a world I had no knowledge of. The author is clearly as fascinated with the people he met as with the airplanes themselves. The result is a story I could read as well as a history I could appreciate. I may not become an expert on vintage aircraft because of this book, but I know I'll appreciate my next visit to the Air and Space Museum all the more because of it.

I bought this for my father because he's always loved planes and he likes any books about planes. But I am probably going to have to get another copy because I started reading the story of the Kee Bird and couldn't put the book down. It's a real adventure, and I'm halfway through and can't believe what just happened with the plane. (Anyone who's read it knows what I'm talking about!) I am really hoping Gary and Darryl get things to work out -- but whatever happens, I am amazed that the author could make planes so incredibly fascinating. And all the strange people who are so in love with them that they'll risk life and limb just to bring back a piece. It reminds me of the Perfect Storm: a book I didn't think was my thing, but: incredible story, great writing, perfect gift.

Hunting Warbirds is a rare treat: a book that reads like a taught thriller, yet is a well researched work of nonfiction. It takes the reader all over the planet in search of rare World War II airplanes, accompanying a few [fool]hardy folks trying to move these huge, broken objects from the tundra to collectors in the States. I have never been interested in wars, and usually find those who are a collossal bore, but I could not put this book down. Hoffman manages to make the old planes seem like soldiers themselves, and the quest to find and refurbish them becomes a way to honor the last war we all agreed was just. This is more than a book about airplanes or war; it is an excellent study of the interconnection between people and our machines.

Having already known about this project from a past NOVA special I was quite interested to read "the rest of the story"about this group of characters and how they came to together.It occured to me there's no degree or guidelines to go by only a true passion and determination to recover these obscure bits of history.Virtualy risking everything each and every time,even life itself with no regret,for a machine? Why? I could only compare it to the Harley phenomena.Why a seemingly stable group of people could be so normal and then the phone rings and it's "Show Time".Anywhere Anytime.Very few countries militaries could match the agility and resouresfulness(with virtually no budget)of this band of merrymen.These are the real Indiana Jones's of our time with Gary Larkins leading the pack.With todays continent hoping ,interneting,etc.etc. it's nice to know someone's still out there in the jungles of Borneo pushing back the snakes to the vast artic wastelands in search of the "Holy Grail".Truely the author has given us a rare and intiment look into the lives and experiences of a rare breed.After having read(in one sitting I might add)I now have a much better understanding of what being a "Warbird Fanatic " is all about.