Roar of the Tiger

Ace AVG and Ninth Air Force pilot James H. Howard was born in Canton province, China, of American parents. Smitten by a recruiter's pitch for naval pilots while studying at Pomona College, he enlisted, and successfully became a naval pilot. Enjoying this life, but eager for combat and promotion, he was swept away again when a very different call for pilots arose. This time the recruitment was for Chennault's American Volunteer Group, later known as the Flying Tigers.This relatively recent addition to the few AVG pilot autobiographies gives a candid, first-hand account of the group and its missions, methods and pilots. Howard describes his days with the AVG, from its problem-ridden start to its transformation into an effective fighting force. Fans will appreciate the description of famous AVG missions and pilots. Following the disbanding of that group, Howard then fought with the Ninth Air Force, stationed in Britain. This is a bonus for readers, who are given the view from both Southeast Asia and Europe. The European portion often becomes a tiresome, blow-by-blow story of aerial gunfighting, however.Though this is an autobiography, Howard is not excessively self-centred, and the narrative is not simply a dry listing of his life's accomplishments. A fair amount of the book is impersonal, and relates the routines of military life, or historical information. The writing is intelligent and reasonably objective, and Howard apparently has had a longstanding interest in history. He has included quotes from military luminaries and fellow pilots in order to support his views, to recount aerial actians, or to relate wartime moods in various locales. This unique opportunity is the result of the book's recent publication, and it adds considerable flavour.As a military autobiography, Roar of the Tiger is clearly written and informative. As it is about performing military duties in service of country, readers should not expect relationships or introspection as with other memoirs. Roar of the Tiger is primarily for those interested in fighter pilots of the period and the challenges they faced.