Brilliantly written but with a selective agenda

Where does A Higher Call rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top third

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stigler

Have you listened to any of Robertson Dean’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

This was effectively the biography of Franz Stigler’s war, and all the better for being so. The central event was not as unique as the author implies. The writing is very skilful indeed. However this otherwise superb book is badly let down by the author’s selective American agenda (possibly unconscious and unintentional), which by extension made me doubt other aspects of the storyline. He continually fails to elaborate on non-U.S. contributions, even when these should have followed naturally in the storyline. For example telling a detailed story of Stigler’s downing by American P.40s (calling the action “one of the most spectacular air victories of the North African campaign!”) but then when it comes to Stigler’s other downing by a Spitfire, there is no description or story of it at all; we are not even told the bare bones of what happened. This sort of selective story telling irritated me throughout the book. I also found the author’s dismissive and unfair historical interpretations of non-U.S. victories irritating; such as offering no credit to the RAF in the Battle of Britain, and simply stating that the Germans lost focus before they could succeed! All of this will pay dividends in Hollywood of course, but it is a dis-service to history, hence the three stars, which should otherwise have been five stars for a very finely written and researched book.

6 people found this helpful

George's review

what a book,very powerful i was elated tearfull and exhausted at the end. I could not put it down, true men of honour in a time of hell. brilliant

6 people found this helpful

An Iconoclastic Take on WW2 Aerial Warfare!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would! A compelling story, well written and well read. Really draws you into the lives, fears, and hopes of the principal protagonists. It also gives a good overview of the politics and military situation that shaped the lives of those we read about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Without a doubt, the Luftwaffe fighter ace Franz Stigler. The book really pivots around him.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

It has to be the moment where Stigler holds off shooting down the crippled B17 flown by Lt. Charlie Brown. In doing so, he has a personal shift in conscience: sacrificing his hitherto coveted Iron Cross but, by his own later admission, gaining something much more valuable...

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. Many. Many. But particularly the one described above.

Any additional comments?

My only concern is just how much of the book is actually true. Such is the immediacy of the writing, it reads like a novel. The authors state that the text is based on more than eight years of interviews with the principal participants, but I wonder how much detail can be recalled so many decades after the events. So many WW2 books have come under suspicion recently, particularly those that, like "A Higher Call", have been published after the deaths of those involved, meaning that there's nobody around to either corroborate or refute the facts. There's no denying it's a fantastic read, but if were an author trying to make lots of money - and I understand the film rights have already been sold - I'd try to make it as entertaining as possible, too.

Still, I loved this book, and I hope my doubts are unfounded. Go read it!

6 people found this helpful

Amazing story of courage

Gritty war story and interesting reading Of the war in air, as seen from both sides. As an aircraft fanatic this is a terrific book. Also very heart warming and humbling. Fully recommended.
Keith Traylor

5 people found this helpful

holding back tears of joy, sadness, laughter and

heart warming, packed with historical facts, a testament to a generation of amazing courageous people

2 people found this helpful

Like no other

I have read quite a number of books recently on these fly boys of the war and this is an outstanding account of an incredible story. The german pilots had it hard theres no doubt anout it, this covers the experience of Franz and his commrades vividly.

2 people found this helpful

The best audiobook I have listened to!

From start to end I was gripped! This is a unique story and I am thankful it was told.

1 person found this helpful

Great book.

Very interesting and warming book at times, but also shows the dark side of both sides of the war.

Heart warming and visceral

A beautifully personal historical account from both the B17 crew and the 109 pilot. A story of honour, bravery, duty and brotherhood.

Enthralling true narrative giving insight of WW2 fro German and American perspective.

A full description of WW2 aviators in Germany and America - and of how they survived after the war.