
Operation Overflight
A Memoir of the U-2 Incident
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Narrated by:
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Jon Lindstrom
U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is a central character in the movie Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks. In his classic 1970 memoir, Powers reveals the full story behind what happened in the most sensational espionage case in Cold War history. After his U-2 reconnaissance plane was shot down, Powers was captured on May 1, 1960 and endured 61 days of rigorous interrogation by the KGB, a public trial, a conviction for espionage, and the start of a 10-year sentence. After nearly two years, the US government obtained his release from prison in a dramatic exchange for convicted Soviet spy Rudolph Abel.
The narrative is a tremendously exciting suspense story about a man who was labeled a traitor by many of his countrymen but who emerged a Cold War hero.
©1970, 2015 Frances Gary Powers (P)2015 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Incredible
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Excellent
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Astonding
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Fascinating account
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The story is well known so I won’t get into it, but the first-hand details presented by Powers are what I found super interesting – for instance: his invitation and induction into the world of aviation espionage; the first time he laid eyes on and flew the U-2; the aircraft’s awkward cockpit, avionics, photographic equipment, and the U-2’s peculiar very high altitude performance envelope; Powers’ extraordinary high altitude flightsuit designed for missions at the edge of space – where a flightsuit failure during an emergency cockpit depressurization meant immediate death (as the pilot’s blood would instantly boil), U-2 pilots’ uncommon aeromedical preflight routine, Powers’ shoot down, his resistance under Soviet interrogation, and his treatment upon US repatriation.
Operation Overflight is an exceptional read and essential for Cold War and aviation buffs – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Outstanding Firsthand Account
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I couldn't put it down.
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Excellent Piece of History
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Truth! A hero who never quit.
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Powers gets home and is treated worse over all by the U.S. by not supporting him in the long run in his further employment or retirement. Awards were withheld that he of all people was very worthy of receiving. Politics, politics, politics and CYA by the American Gov’t from the time he is shot down to beyond his passing on in a most useless death. Very shameful on behalf of the U.S. gov’t.
I learned a lot from this book. It had some pretty incredible surprises and disappointments for Powers. I feel very badly he was treated this way. Even Eisenhower wasn’t informed on many parts of Powers’ mission. If it was that bad then, it’s scary how bad it could be now.
EXCELLENT book but very heart breaking for Powers.
What A TOTAL Tragedy !
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A Hero.
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