ACES

Having read many books on the personal experiences of WWII veterans, I can honestly say that this is, hands down, the best first person account I have read to date! Anyone with even the slightest interest in WWII should pick it up and read it ASAP! Mr. Parker was an unbelievable man with an unbelievable story-thanks to his nieces, we can all read it now and benefit from it.

Thanks to M.Taggatz , I have could discover an other sight about Ranger's D-Day and especially Charles "Ace" Parker : a special man with the nobly convictions ! This book have a "heart" and probably , it capture the spirit of Ranger's D-Day ! I think and I wish that the memory oh this men musn't be forgotten ... To read absolutely !

As I read "Reflections of Courage on D-Day" I could hear my father talking through Ace Parker. My dad, Harold Gene Mann, private in the 5th Ranger Battalion, said many of the same things about his experiences and said them in the same way. I am throughly enjoying hearing him speak again.

Thanks from the heart. Howard G. Mann

The war in the Pacific was a bloody confrontation for the resolution of opponents and the straining combat environment. Flying under such pressure was undeniably a great feat and sustaining a proper level of operational capability was a superb example of airmanship. In this book all aspects of air combat come alive with the intriguing personal tales of the pilots who served in this theater. Each account reveals the insight of lifestyle, tactics and training that led to amazing results in aerial battles. From their personal experience, it is possible to catch the feelings the pilots had about their machinery, climate and combat methods before actually flying the missions in their harsh frontline.

Beatifully written, this volume is really easy to read, even if some accounts disclose a predilection to be stylish or glorifying from time to time.

In Aces Against Japan, military historian Eric Hammel provides the reader with riveting first-person accounts from thirty-nine American fighter aces who fought their way across the bloody skies of the Pacific and East Asia from December 7, 1941 through the final air battles over Japan in August 1945. An effective interviewer, Hammel presents fascinating and informative air-combat tales and anecdotes from the men who were their. Vivid, superbly presented, Aces Against Japan is enthusiastically recommended reading for all military buffs and a very welcome addition to any World War II history collection or reading list.

A truly great book. I recommend it for anyone, not just history enthusiasts. The first hand accounts are well written and bring the stories to life. Equally as good is Hammel's other book, ACES AGAINST GERMANY.

A great look at the Cathedrals' history, George Younce and Glen Payne's stories, and the gospel music business in general. A MUST read for anyone who has ever listened to gospel music!

A great book for Cathedral's fans. The lives of these two gentlemen are a true example of what being in God's service is all about. They have touched hearts and lives for decades with their music. My only complaint is that it was too short and I hope someday, the full and complete story of Glen Payne and George Younce will be told.

WOW! As a fan of the Cathedrals, I loved reading about the 2 Sr members. The Lord worked in both of their lives to bring them together to bless us all with their music and their commitment to the call on their lives. If you love the Cathedrals, you will LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!

These guys must have lived college life to it's fullest. I read the book from cover to cover in one night, only putting it down to wipe the tears shed from laughing so hard! The book totally captures most of what all of us experienced at some point during that 4 year undergrad journey- wish I could have had a beer with Ace and Chuck a time or two; or did I? Hmmm!!!

Some people wonder if the stories in this book really happened. Well, they did. I know these clowns, and I can attest to the fact every thing happened. I know it may be unbelievable, but these boneheads are all unbelievable, even when you saw it happen LIVE. You can buy this book or not - it is your call. Neither Ace nor Chuck will enter the poor house if you decide to buy "The Red Tent" instead. But you WILL be missing out on perhaps the funniest book ever.

I checked into this book because it was recommended to me by a friend of mine. I bought it to read on a long car ride. Even with all the distractions of reading in a car, I finished the book in about 6 hours because I could not put it down! The opening is a riot, and the glossary is probably the best part of the book. I think the funniest chapter is the one called "Cabin Trip" or something like that. I don't want to ruin the story, but it's hard to believe it really happened. This book really will make you laugh, even if it isn't Pullitzer-worthy.

What Bruning has done in "Jungle Ace" is remarkable: he manages figuratively to bring to full flesh-and-blood life a man who has been dead for nearly 60 years. When I finished reading this biography, I felt I knew and understood Gerry Johnson: felt the weight of the command burden he carried, the exhilaration of victory in combat, the self-doubt when losses occurred, the grinding boredom of life in the SWPA, and the never-ending homesickness. I also got a sense of what he would be like in different situations: as a friend, as a commander, as a classmate.

This is exceedingly hard to do, but Bruning has done it: he somehow got long-ago memories jumpstarted, got people talking. While I accept that some of the quoted conversations probably did not take place word for word as presented, I feel the approach helps the book make the man more real. Charles Martin, in his bio of Tom McGuire, did the same thing, and it worked for both authors.

Thanks, Mr. Bruning for bringing a too-little known hero to light. You can be sure that my children will read about Gerry Johnson. When will you write another aviation biography? How about Charles H. MacDonald of the 475th FG?

Just finished reading this book a few days ago, and I've got to say that it's one of the best WWII non-fiction books I've ever read. Not only is it easy to read and exciting, but Mr. Bruning skillfully covers some of the more technical aspects of Johnson's air combat battles.

Good for hard-core WWII air combat nuts (like me!) as well as the average reader. Anyone with any interest in combat aircraft, WWII, or great reading material in general will love this book!

-Scott Rudi

John's latest, "Jungle Ace," ranks without a doubt as one of the best biographies that I have ever read. John spent several years painstakingly researching for this book, and it shows in the incredible level of detail contained in these pages. Without boring us with this detail, the book highlights John's ability to tell a story with just the right word selection to paint a vivid, movie-like picture in the reader's mind. "Jungle Ace" follows the life of P-38 fighter ace Jerry Johnson from schoolboy to aviation candidate to grisly combat conditions, all in amazing clarity that will immerse you into the story, as if you were standing side by side with Johnson himself. As tense and taughtly written as a best-selling fiction novel, author Bruning has created a story that even non-aviation history buffs will enjoy thoroughly...

For those readers looking to see just how demanding, unforgiving and gruesome air combat in the steaming jungles of the South Pacific islands could be, this is the book for you. "Jungle Ace" is a rich, vivid and thoroughly honest chronicle of a young Oregon man who helped save the world. A rewarding read that goes beyond the military history genre.

These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

This is an interesting story of a young man in World War II. It is detailed and well researched. General John C. Meyer is quoted as saying: "George Preddy was the greatest fighter pilot who ever squinted through a gunsight; he was the complete fighter pilot". The book is also an accounting of the man himself (apart from his war efforts) and his family. It is written by a man who knew George Preddy as a child and looked up to him.

Reviewer: John Edwards from United States February 29, 2000 These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

This is the best, funniest book on racing ever. I can't believe it hasn't been memorialized. I hope Neely was paid well for the Hollywood trash-it should have been done by Newman... in the spirit of "Slap Shot".

This book is dated now, but it is a great read for folks who were fans of the sport in the 60's and 70's. There were lots of stories from that period that took place on and off the track that are recounted in the book.

It makes me laugh out loud every time I read it!

This book is an absolute MUST READ for anyone who ever wondered how to park their car in a swimming pool. Find out what racers really think just before they smack a wall at 200 mph. Learn how to start racing in a Birdcage and wind up in the big league of NASCAR. Learn out to turn a visit to the infield hospital into a long term relationship. Also, the finer points of racing in reverse gear at night. Seriously, this book is a riot! I read it orginally in the early 70's and have been searching for it ever since then.

Not to be confused with the horrid movie starring Burt Reynolds.

This book is so cool, i recommend this book for readers who enjoy farm life and animals who lives on the farm, If I would rate this book on a 5-point scale, I would say it would be a 4..because the pictures could have been colourful instead of black and white, but overall I liked this book. Bye!

This is an excellent book by an excellent author. I've never been disappointed in one of his books and this is one of his best! I wish it could have been longer or that there were a sequel to it. The main characters are Farmer Tubbs and a lot of animals that live on his farm. I recomment this book for anyone who likes pigs, animals, or humorous stories. It's probably more of a child's book, but I think everyone would enjoy it.

This book is very exciting I learned about how ACE the pig can communicate with his owner. He has alot of adventures. I would reccommend this book to any age I think it would brighten anyone`s day to hear about a big fat pig that made me laugh. It`s a book that you can`t put down but sometimes you have to . I would give it five golden stars. ACE the pig, Nanny the lamb and Megan,are all the people that live on Ted Tubbs Farm. ACE isn`t an ordinary pig If you want to find out why, you should read this book.

... Clarence Anderson's memoirs of the war ... fighter pilotswere normal guys with their own rivalries and an air of cluelessness that seems unusual for post-modern "Saving Private Ryan" perspectives but seemed fresh when I read it in 1991. Coming from the subject of "To Fly and Fight' it's still refreshing. Anderson was barely out of his teens when the war broke out and he joined the Army Air Force, precursor to the modern (and separate) USAF. Sent to England, Anderson was assigned to fly P-51 Mustangs, one of the most capable fighters, and witnessed the hopelessness of the allied daylight bombing strategy. After the war, Anderson flew flight test out of Edwards, breeding ground for the first generation of supersonic military aircraft, but spent most time at a desk. During Vietnam, Anderson rose to command a squadron fighter bombers flying out of Thailand. Through it all he comes off as something other than what I expected out of a fighter pilot - the sort of every guy that propaganda would have tried to create but never did. In WWII, Anderson saves the lives of bomber crews, enages in mortal combat with enemy fighters and sometimes makes the decision not to fir ... Anderson avoids the morbid fascination with the lives affected by combat - what happened to the bomber crews or wingmen that owed him his life, or the fighter pilots he may have killed.

Unlike Yeager, Anderson's tenure at flight test was not so glamorous. Instead of the sonic barrier, Anderson's experience included the "parasite-fighter", a fatally flawed idea for linking dimunitive fighters to larger motherships like the B-36 and typical of the "anything goes" atmosphere bred by cold-war demands and postwar prosperity. In that era, even General Curtis Le May knew the project was crazy, that it would never work, but that somebody would just have to try it anyway. When the tests result in tragedy, Anderson doesn't fail to include himself as deserving blame.

Anderson goes to command a Fighter Wing in Thailand flying missions nto Vietnam. Although Anderson gives the war litle treatment, he doesn't neglect his ignominous debut - barely in command when one of his new unit's F-105's makes an emergency, wheels-up landing.

Much of "Fly' is anecdotal, but the anecdotes are priceless, ...

Most aviator memoirs stress that the man in cockpit is just a normal guy, but Anderson makes it convincing. He is seldom judgemental, ... This will never be confused with "Baa Baa Blacksheep", the memoir of Marine ace Greg Boyingtin, ...

Although this book has a different feel to it than the book to which it will invariably be compared, namely Chuck Yeager's "YEAGER" autobiography, I must say it stands on its own feet without any apologies. In this book, Anderson details a life full of accomplishments and adventure.

The chapters that focus on his World War II exploits are clearly the most interesting, although his post-war adventures (including missions in Vietnam) were entertaining in their own right. My only complaint is that he did not write more about this period of his life. It seemed that Yeager's book was a bit more balanced in that he covered his career from beginning to end with an even hand. Anderson (or his publisher) chose not to do so, and that is unfortunate, for I am sure there is much to be learned from this period of his remarkable life.

Despite these minor shortcomings, this one is definitely worth a look. The beginning may be slow to some, but keep going. It is well worth it.

Col. Anderson's accounts of his flying in WWII and as a test pilot are truly memorable. While the writing style is course, it reflects his verbal recollections. I heard Col. Anderson speak at a Test Pilot School graduation; the way he told his stories and his dry humor are as much evident in the book as when he was on the stage. The room was full of test pilots and their families, and you could hear a pin drop. One of the very best books on a man and his love of flying, duty, honor, country, and his family. A must read!

The ace it series is very easy to understand and has helped me alot. Good for anyone that knowns how to use the topic but need to learn a little more to pass the test

This book is a great study guide for the NT Server exam! I used it to review, and by the time I started taking Trancender exams, I knew almost everything I needed to know.

In the past I've used Exam Cram, MS Readiness Review, TestPrep and Ace-It books, and the Ace-It are always the most helpful. I'd recommend the whole series

A great supplement to your studies for this exam. I purchased Mark's book along with Microsoft's self-paced kits and Readiness Review book. Mark's was by far the best! He gets right to the point with just the essentials you need for passing the exam. I plan on purchasing his other book for my next exam - Server in the Enterprise. For this exam in particular, I prefer Mark's book over the Exam Cram series that I felt was too wordy! Good luck to all, with this book you can't go wrong!