Review of Fighter Pilot

This got posted on Amazon.com and is particularly noteworthy for the last paragraph:

"Where have all the Cowboys gone"....., May 15, 2010
By Keith (Crestview, FL) -

This review is from: Fighter Pilot: The Memoirs of Legendary Ace Robin Olds (Hardcover)
Like the Paula Cole song asks: "Where have all the cowboys gone?" "...where is (our) John Wayne?" "...where is (our) Lone Ranger?" Gen. Robin Olds was not only a hero because of his valor in a cockpit, but his willingness to buck the conventional wisdom of USAF and political leadership...even to the detriment of his own career. The words LEGEND and HERO are often misused in describing actors, sports participants, and musicians, but those words are apropos when describing Gen. Olds.

What a life! Gen Olds' life could fill 10 other fighter pilots' .....from growing up the son of a pioneer in US military aviation and being surrounded by the likes of Spaatz, Rickenbacker, Arnold, Turner, Mitchell ect. What role models to mold a young fighter pilot.....it couldn't have been better than that! Over his life, he excelled by his own makings, not by riding coat tails. Whether it was being an All American at West Point or becoming a leader and ace at an age most would consider still wet behind the ears.

Tales of both his aerial battles and the battles with those on the ground are riveting. It lets us see the steel willed determination of a man who truly believed in "lead by example" and "never ask those you lead to do anything you weren't willing to do." It's obvious the men he led, loved him and were willing to go to the Gates of Hell for him.....that is something that can't be demanded or ordered......it is earned.

Throughout this book we got glimpses of his home life and his marriage to the beautiful movie star, Ella Raines. Though he (or Christina) didn't go into depth about it, we got enough to know things weren't always blue skies and sunny days on the Olds' home front which made an extraordinary life seem realistic...we all have personal problems and Robin was no exception...but in true Robin Olds fashion, he didn't shy away from the truth. Whether it be about his marriage, his love of parties and drink, or his feelings about friends and foes....he (and Christina) kept it real....and I for one thank them for it.

I could pick out passages to quote in this book, but others here have done a fine job doing that... so I won't. Just know that if you are a fan of aviation, military history, or just want to read about a REAL hero and legend......read this book, you won't want to put it down and will find yourself wanting more.

Note to Hollywood: This is a movie that needs to be made.....I hope someone with credentials is smart enough to see the action and humanity that are waiting to be put up on the silver screen. I suspect it would be a cross between "Topgun" meets Mel Gibson's "We Were Soldiers" and/or Hanks/Spielberg's "Band of Brothers" with a little "Patton" sprinkled in for flavor. In fact this would make a great miniseries ....are you listening HBO?