
Lords of the Sky
Fighter Pilots and Air Combat, from the Red Baron to the F-16
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Narrated by:
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John Pruden
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By:
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Dan Hampton
About this listen
The New York Times best-selling author of Viper Pilot and retired USAF F-16 legend Dan Hampton offers the first comprehensive popular history of combat aviation - a unique, entertaining, and action-packed look at the aces of the air and their machines, from the Red Baron and his triplane in World War I to today's technologically expert flying warriors in supersonic jets.
One of the most decorated fighter pilots in history, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Dan Hampton goes back 100 years to tell the extraordinary story of the most famous fighter planes and the brave and daring heroes who made them legend.
Drawing on his expertise, Hampton shines a spotlight on the pioneers who have ruled the air from World War I through the Cold War to today. He provides unique insight into gutsy pioneers such as Manfred von Richthofen and his red triplane, and the flyboys in the iconic P51 Mustang who faced the Nazi Lufwaffe. Here, too, is a thoughtful look at modern air warriors, including his own exploits in the high-tech f-16 Falcon.
Interwoven throughout this sweeping narrative history is Hampton's personal account of traveling the world to find these storied aircraft. Strapping himself into the cockpit of such planes, he shares the thrill and experience of flying each. Exhilarating, told in his acclaimed high-octane style, Lords of the Sky is a fresh look at the development of aviation for history and military buffs alike.
©2014 Ascalon, LLC (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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Story
Lieutenant William Frederick “Bill” Harris was 25 years old when captured by Japanese forces during the Battle of Corregidor in May 1942. This son of a decorated Marine general escaped from hell on earth by swimming eight hours through a shark-infested bay; but his harrowing ordeal had just begun. Shipwrecked on the southern coast of the Philippines, he was sheltered by a Filipino aristocrat, engaged in guerilla fighting, and eventually set off through hostile waters to China.
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Epic story of survival, and sacrifice
- By Michael V McKenney on 02-03-23
By: Dan Hampton
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F-35
- The Inside Story of the Lightning II
- By: Tom Burbage, Betsy Clark, Adrian Pitman, and others
- Narrated by: Rob Reider
- Length: 17 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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F-35 is the only inside look at the most advanced aircraft in the world and the historic project that built it, as told by those who were intimately involved in its design, testing, and production. Based on the authors' personal experience and over 100+ interviews, F-35 pulls back the curtain on one of the most heavily criticized government programs in history from start to finish.
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Corporate Propaganda
- By Kindle Customer on 10-04-24
By: Tom Burbage, and others
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Clean Sweep
- VIII Fighter Command Against the Luftwaffe, 1942–45
- By: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, BrigGen Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson USAF (Ret.) - foreword
- Narrated by: Lance C. Fuller
- Length: 18 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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On August 7, 1942, two events of major military importance occurred on separate sides of the planet. In the South Pacific, the United States went on the offensive, landing the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal. In England, 12 B-17 bombers of the new Eighth Air Force’s 97th Bombardment Group bombed the Rouen–Sotteville railroad marshalling yards in France. While the mission was small, the aerial struggle that began that day would ultimately cost the United States more men killed and wounded by the end of the war in Europe than the Marines would lose in the Pacific War.
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may be factual but poorly written
- By Bill Mackey on 01-08-24
By: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver, and others
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Damn Lucky
- One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
- By: Kevin Maurer
- Narrated by: Holter Graham, John Luckadoo
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was a world away from John Luckadoo’s hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. But when the Japanese attacked the American naval base on December 7, 1941, he didn’t hesitate to join the military. Trained as a pilot with the United States Air Force, Second Lieutenant Luckadoo was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in Thorpe Abbotts, England. Between June and October 1943, he flew B-17 Flying Fortresses over France and Germany on bombing runs devised to destroy the Nazi war machine.
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must read
- By td godfrey on 10-06-22
By: Kevin Maurer
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Race of Aces
- WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky
- By: John R. Bruning
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1942, America's deadliest fighter pilot, or "ace of aces" - the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker - offered a bottle of bourbon to the first US fighter pilot to break his record of 26 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.
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Boring, confusing storyline, some technical details wrong
- By ATM on 04-09-20
By: John R. Bruning
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Going Downtown
- The US Air Force Over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, 1961–75
- By: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
- Narrated by: Christopher Ragland
- Length: 15 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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The involvement of the US Air Force in the Southeast Asian Wars began in 1962 with crews sent to train Vietnamese pilots, and with conflict in Laos, and finally ended in 1972 with the B-52 bombing of Hanoi, though there were Air Force pilots unofficially flying combat in Laos up to the end in 1975. The missions flown by USAF aircrews during those years in Southeast Asia differed widely, from attacking the Ho Chi Minh Trail at night with modified T-28 trainers, to missions “Downtown,” the name aircrew gave Hanoi, the central target of the war.
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A succinct overview
- By Snippersly on 04-18-24
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The Flight
- Charles Lindbergh's Daring and Immortal 1927 Transatlantic Crossing
- By: Dan Hampton
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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On the morning of May 20, 1927, a little-known pilot named Charles Lindbergh waited to take off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island. He was determined to claim the $25,000 Orteig Prize promised to the first pilot to fly nonstop from New York to Paris - a contest that had already claimed six men's lives. Just 25 years old, Lindbergh had never before flown over water. Yet 33 hours later, his single-engine monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, touched down in Paris.
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The Flight: Charles Lindbergh
- By none on 12-08-18
By: Dan Hampton
What listeners say about Lords of the Sky
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- Greg Cook
- 12-20-22
another great one from Dan and John
More depth and detail on history of military fighters, battles and the pilots than I expected.
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- rstarr
- 10-09-22
An exceptionally entertaining work of aviation.
If you have interest in aviation or military history, I highly recommend this work by Dan Hampton. The narration is pure entertainment matching the excellent content. I am a retired Air Force pilot well read in aviation yet discovered unusual factual material as a special treat. This is that rare audio title that will be occassionally repeated for its authentic content and exceptional enthusiastic narration. A pleasure to have both the audio and print versions of classic Dan Hampton!
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- Michael
- 07-13-15
Holds your interest
A good detailed easy to listen to the history of aviation fighters and the development of them from WW1 to Iraq.
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1 person found this helpful
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- S. Mersereau
- 01-01-20
Superb
One of the very best and enjoyable histories of flight from a fighter pilot’s perspective.
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- Matthew Cline
- 04-16-15
Best Combo On Audible
I have listened to both Viper Pilot and Lords of the Sky and have pre ordered Hunter Killers. Dan Hampton is a superb author and Pruden is by far my favorite narrator on audible.
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- David H Milton
- 07-08-21
Like Fighter Aircraft and Pilots?
This is a must for anyone who is fascinated by combat aircraft and the pilots who have flown them from prior WW I to the gulf war.
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- Mark S
- 03-28-17
Enjoyed it!
Fascinating stuff, easy to get through, and informitive. From WWI to Modern Iraq, this covers the evolution of the fighter pilot
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- Bwild
- 02-24-23
One of the best I have heard yet!
Wonderful account from the beginning to the end of the fighting aces! Highly recommend this audible!
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- JW
- 04-05-23
Wonderful account
This is a great book. The detail is the right amount for someone with basic knowledge.
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- Sierra Bravo
- 04-07-15
History from a little bit different angle
This a a great piece of history for those interested in aviation. Best if you have a basic background, i.e. know what flaps are. There is a fair amount of the surrounding history though the author sticks pretty much to the subject matter and gives background just for context. I found this book totally enjoyable but I am a history and aviation enthusiast (read plane nut) so it was a natural fit. It helps if you know some of the history but do not think it is totally necessary. The narration is great especially when he goes into "radio com" mode. Best if you are really into the subject matter as the book would be a bit detailed for someone looking for a causal read.
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2 people found this helpful