
The Wingmen
The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams
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Narrated by:
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Barry Abrams
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By:
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Adam Lazarus
About this listen
It was 1953, the Korean War in full throttle, when two men—already experts in their fields—crossed the fabled 38th Parallel into Communist airspace aboard matching Panther jets. John Glenn was an ambitious operations officer with fifty-nine World War II combat missions under his belt. His wingman was Ted Williams, the two-time American League Triple Crown winner who, at the pinnacle of his career, was inexplicably recalled to active service in the United States Marine Corps. Together, the affable flier and the notoriously tempestuous left fielder soared into North Korea, creating a death-defying bond. Although, over the next half century, their contrasting lives were challenged by exhilarating highs and devastating lows, that bond would endure.
Through unpublished letters, unit diaries, declassified military records, manuscripts, and new and illuminating interviews, The Wingmen reveals an epic and intimate portrait of two heroes—larger-than-life and yet ineffably human, ordinary men who accomplished the extraordinary. At its heart, this was a conflicted friendship that found commonality in mutual respect. Now, author Adam Lazaraus sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter in these legends' lives—as singular individuals, inspiring patriots, and eventually, however improbable, profoundly close friends.
©2023 Adam Lazarus, LLC (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...
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Two American Heroes
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Review
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Great American Men
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The Right Stuff
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To me, the most surprising aspect of the book was Ted Williams and the two wars. I thought he was a patriot who eagerly enlisted when his country called. The author presents a very different picture. Ted was reluctant to leave baseball for World War Two. He thought that his reserve status would keep him out of Korea and was surprised and angry to learn that he would be called to active duty again.
Interesting Spotlight on Two American Icons' Lives
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The Splendid Splinter in the Military
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Friendship
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Great Stuff
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