Coming from John Bruning in January 2020 "Race of Aces"

[Edward]

Looking forward to this in January 2020 (only 3 months away) . I know that John Bruning collected a lot of primary source material for his new book and that he possesses an extensive knowledge of the history of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th FG (Johnson & Bong). However the marketing department at Hachette really should consider retiring expressions such as "untold story" and "epic" (but hey, they are trying to sell books). Seeing the phrase "selfless devotion" makes me think of the U.S. fighter pilot Lt. Col. Gratten "Grant" Mahony - four tours of combat in four theaters of war (Philippines, Java, Burma & China - 2 tours & back to the Philippines ~ 1941-1945).

Race of Aces: WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Masters of the Sky
(Hachette Books - January 14, 2020)
by John R Bruning
320 pages
$29.00 - hardback
$14.99 - e-book

"The astonishing untold story of the WWII airmen who risked it all in the deadly race to become the greatest American fighter pilot.

In 1942, America’s deadliest fighter pilot, or “ace of aces”-the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker-offered a bottle of bourbon to the first U.S. fighter pilot to break his record of twenty-six enemy planes shot down. Seizing on the challenge to motivate his men, General George Kenney promoted what they would come to call the “race of aces” as a way of boosting the spirits of his war-weary command.

What developed was a wild three-year sprint for fame and glory, and the chance to be called America’s greatest fighter pilot. The story has never been told until now.

Based on new research and full of revelations, John Bruning’s brilliant, original book tells the story of how five American pilots contended for personal glory in the Pacific while leading Kenney’s resurgent air force against the most formidable enemy America ever faced.

The pilots - Richard Bong, Tommy McGuire, Neel Kearby, Charles MacDonald and Gerald Johnson - riveted the nation as they contended for Rickenbacker’s crown. As their scores mounted, they transformed themselves from farm boys and aspiring dentists into artists of the modern dogfight.

But as the race reached its climax, some of the pilots began to see how the spotlight warped their sense of duty. They emerged as leaders, beloved by their men as they chose selfless devotion over national accolades.

Teeming with action all across the vast Pacific theater, Race of Aces is a fascinating exploration of the boundary between honorable duty, personal glory, and the complex landscape of the human heart."

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/ti...9780316508643/