Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II
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Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II
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Narrated by:
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James Killavey
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By:
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Philip Ardery
About this listen
Winner of the Best Aeronautical Book Award from the Reserve Officers Association of the United States.
"The sky was full of dying airplanes" as American Liberator bombers struggled to return to North Africa after their daring low-level raid on the oil refineries of Ploesti. They lost 446 airmen and 53 planes, but Philip Ardery's plane came home. This pilot was to take part in many more raids on Hitler's Europe, including air cover for the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
This vivid firsthand account records one man's experience of World War II air warfare. Throughout, Ardery testifies to the horror of world war as he describes his fear, his longing for home, and his grief for fallen comrades. Bomber Pilot is a moving contribution to American history.
The book is pubished by The University Press of Kentucky.
©1978 The University Press of Kentucky (P)2015 Redwood AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
What listeners say about Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brent
- 08-14-15
Excellent ... all around.
Would you listen to Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II again? Why?
Ardery's account of his life as a B-24 pilot is excellent. From all the training it took to simply get into the planes, to combat in the skies over the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, Ardery's account is an even-handed account of what a bomber pilot's life was like.
The chapter about Ploesti is especially fascinating. James Dugan and Carrol Stewart used Ardery as a source for their book on the subject, and the details of Ardery's part in the
raid offer some really interesting stuff. Especially intruiging is the background and fate
of Medal of Honor winner Lloyd Hughes, who was flying on Ardery's wing when when he perished. This book is really good stuff; Steven Ambrose's "Wild Blue" pales in comparison. Ardery doesn't place himself on a hero pedestal, he merely tells of his experiences in a very
interesting and easy-to-digest style.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The Author
Which character – as performed by James Killavey – was your favorite?
Sounded like the author talking to me.
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45 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert D. Gilberts
- 11-25-16
Great story,well told!
As a WWII bomber pilot in
Bob Gilberts
Very real story of the bomber crews
told in a low key way
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Madeline
- 11-18-15
Well done
Would you consider the audio edition of Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II to be better than the print version?
Don't have time to read so this was my only option.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The author, of course.
Have you listened to any of James Killavey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I don't think so..He was very competent for this type of book.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Laugh...not so much. Cried a few times at the incredible loss of American lives.
Any additional comments?
My husband is in the Air Force but not during a war...Thank God!
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20 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Loretta
- 06-24-15
Fascinating...and true story
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. Great story...helps you to appreciate incredible bravery of our bomber crews.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II?
Raid over Ploesti, Rumania.
What does James Killavey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Brought it to life. Excellent reading.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
A little bit of each.
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64 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- eulalie
- 08-08-15
Great book!
What made the experience of listening to Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II the most enjoyable?
The authors presents an excellent recounting of his WWII experience. he is frank, honest, and has an open style. Loved it!
What was one of the most memorable moments of Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II?
The raid into Poland
What does James Killavey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He made me feel like I was there. Very good narration.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both in different scenes.
Any additional comments?
Very enjoyable book
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56 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John-O
- 11-11-15
Excellent memoir; execrable narration
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
This book is a valuable addition to the pantheon of WWII memoirs. The author, a University of Kentucky and Harvard Law School graduate, is a literate, talented writer: a much better writer than many of the men who told their wartime stories by publishing a memoir. He exudes a considerable amount of maturity -- a trait that is discernable beyond the simple fact that he was several years older than many of his fellow pilots and crewmen.
What did you like best about this story?
All of the white-knuckle missions.
Would you be willing to try another one of James Killavey’s performances?
No, absolutely not. The narrator's style got on my nerves so much that it became a major distraction. He has the unfortunate habit of over-emphasizing the last consonant of a word, so that "one" is pronounced "one-uh" or "medium" becomes "medium-uh". His regional accent (northeastern U.S.?) leaks through, too. "Saw" is pronounced "sahr", etc. His phrase emphasis in sentences is also strange.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were many moving moments -- so many that it is difficult to choose one in particular.
Any additional comments?
This book is too good to have a sub-par narrator. Re-do it with a different narrator --Philip Ardery deserves better.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-23-20
Bad reader
The readers was terrible. He clearly didn't understand how to read as if he was talking ot telling a story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin
- 06-24-15
Gripping story
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. Gripping story, well written and well read.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The author...duh!
What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?
Very good narration ... let the author tell the story without trying to "take over."
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Both..in different sections.
Any additional comments?
This ranks right up there with my all time favorite WWII flying book..The Wrong Stuff.
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63 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- cindilla
- 08-13-15
Audio even better
Where does Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the best.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Bomber Pilot: A Memoir of World War II?
raid in Poland.
What about James Killavey’s performance did you like?
Enjoyed it very much. Good narration.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Some of each.
Any additional comments?
I read this book a while back and liked it so much I decided to listen, as well.
If anything...the audio version is better. Get that sense of "being there" more.
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47 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jackie
- 08-06-15
Wow...these guys were heros!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. Wonderful insight into what it was like in those planes.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The author.
Have you listened to any of James Killavey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes. Consistently good.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Nope..too long.
Any additional comments?
Normally I stick to Navy books but tried this for a change of pace. Glad I did. It was wonderful..tragic in places but truly showed the heroism of our boys.
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