Tumult in the Clouds

"I've read aviation books for well over 30 years and when I read Goodson, was amazed by it. Before joining the USAF, Goodson piloted Spitfires in the RAF. While Goodson's narrative is chronologically ordered, he breaks off at points and discusses individual pilots with whom he's flown. Humor, terror and tragedy and finally redemption rolls off his pen as he pays tributes to his fallen comrades. Goodson's score of 32 kills puts him among the highest of Allied fighter pilots but as the Strafing King, his try at a Me163 rocket fighter sitting on an airfield brings an end to his career as a fighter pilot and the begining of his career as a kreige (PoW slang for prisoner of war). Only his wits keeps him alive since Goodson was to be shot by the Gestapo as a terror-fleiger. A masterful story teller, Goodson's book belongs on your shelf."

One of the best fighter pilot biographies ever written. Fast paced, touching, emotionally written but not corny. They are all there: Gentile, Godfrey, Blakeslee, Clark, Beeson. The fighting sequences are breathtaking without looking exaggerated. I recommend this one without doubts.

This book is really another great book for all that love books about combat aviation! Major Goodson takes you on a journey from being on a torpedoed sinking ship, flying with the Eagle Squadron during the Battle of Britain, to flying with the 4th Fighter Group under the command of Colonel Don Blakeslee,then eventually ending after being shot down and becoming a POW. Not only does this book portray the extraordinary life of Major James Goodson it also gives accounts of the bravest men he served with who are no longer with us today. He goes in to the greatest detail of these men from thier sense of humor, thier lucky clothing items they wore,and sadly how brave and how young they died. Read this book! You will not be disappointed.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ ABOUT WWII AVIATION .THE AUTHOR TELLS HIS PERSONAL STORY BUT IN A BROADER SCENARIO OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HIM AND THEIR PERSONALITIES .IT'S HAS IT'S HUMOROUS ANECDOTES BUT THE TOTAL PERSPECTIVE REFLECTS ON THE PILOTS OF HIS GROUP , THEIR FIGHTER PLANES ,AND THE TRAGEDY OF WAR .

By far, one the best personal histories of the airware in europe during WWII. from operations in the eagle squadron, to flying P-51's with don blakeslee, to be being a POW and helping rescue victims of american bombs. this book is fascinating from beginning to end.