Here are some aviation books that I've read and that I recommend. Books are non-fiction unless indicated. These are all "positive" reviews; I've read a few aviation books I did not enjoy, but they're not listed here.
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A powerful book. Incredible flying action from an A-6 Intruder pilot from the Vietnam War. Includes insights on topics such as aircraft mishaps, combat rescues, and Vietnam POWs and MIAs.
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Former TOPGUN instructor and Hornet pilot "Jell-O" Aiello's tale of fighter aviation and perseverance. Written with passion and candor, modesty and humor. A great read.
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Complete, concise, and loaded with photos. A valuable addition to any aviation library.
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Monumental account of the TOPGUN US Navy fighter training program.
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Outstanding photography with excellent captions and economical text provide a great high-level overview of the F-14.
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The exciting and important story of a Qantas airliner that experienced sudden pitch-downs commanded by the computers, how the flight crew saved it, and the aftermath. The pilot was a former US Navy F-14 pilot, experience that helped him save the plane.
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Unassuming and entertaining story of an intrepid pilot.
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Valuable lessons and exciting stories. Worthwhile lessons supported by exciting aviation stories.
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Exciting book about the life of Dan Pedersen, founder of the Topgun program. An overview of the evolution of air combat through the experience of US Navy fighters, from the 1960s to today. Recommended!
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Air Force tanker pilot Mark Hasara has written a detailed and exciting book that gives valuable insight into modern warfare, along with some great flying stories and photos.
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An exciting, wide-ranging, and incredibly rich aviation story related to the Flying Tigers and other aviation developments of the 1930s and 40s.
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Authoritative and enlightening account of US Naval Aviation's incredible safety evolution.
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Mark Frankel and Tommy Thomason together produced this impressive and entertaining book about trainer aircraft. Great writing, many rare photos, and colorful aircraft profiles.
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Immerse yourself in this story of the life of passionate Spitfire pilot John Gillespie Magee, Jr., and his famous poem, "High Flight."
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Excellent story of the famous American Volunteer Group, later known as The Flying Tigers, in China at the start of WW2.
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Very exciting, combination of the personal memoir of the Navy RF-8 squadron commander who flew the first missions, complemented by additional material. Ranges from the cockpit to the White House.
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This book is both thorough and exciting. You will get a full measure of appreciation for military flying in peacetime and combat, and the men who carry out the missions. A substantial volume with more than 350 pages of text, tables, and rare photos.
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The grand story of USS Enterprise (CV-6), conveying WW2 history through accomplishments and sacrifices on a very personal level.
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Great story of the air-to-air war over Vietnam (Navy and Air Force), balancing exciting combat descriptions with unflinching analysis.
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Intense and detailed account of the fighter pilots and RIOs who started Topgun. I recently re-read this and enjoyed it all over again.
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The full story of Navy Skyraider pilot Dieter Dengler, well-told by bestselling author Bruce Henderson.
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US Marine Corps UH-1 pilot in combat in Viet Nam: how he got there, how he survived it all. Exciting, gritty, with flashes of humor.
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The complete, behind-the-scenes story of air traffic control and air defense ops on 9/11.
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America's secret Migs. 'Nuf said!
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The personal story of fighter community legend John Monroe "Hawk" Smith: his growth as a naval officer, his seasoning as a fighter pilot, and his hardening as a commanding officer. Insights into the early days of the F-14 Tomcat and Topgun.
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Imaginative accounts of ten aerospace projects with beautiful hypothetical illustrations.
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Suspenseful, detailed, and balanced telling of a pivotal battle of WW2 in the Pacific.
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Profiles the turbulent design and development stage of the Navy’s carrier-based jet fighter program. From the successful designs, such as the Fury, Banshee, Crusader, and Phantom II, to the also-rans, like the Fireball, Demon, Pirate, and Cutlass.
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A collection of stories about US Air Force pilots and navigators covering the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, dangerous Cold War spy missions, and Vietnam. Personal and exciting. (Several books use this title, this one is by Col Wolfgang Samuel.)
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The full story of the British Vulcan bomber attacks during the Falklands War. The aviation accomplishments and bravery of these crews makes a great story!
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A wide-ranging story told in a no-nonsense manner. Includes personal insights, combat action, leadership challenges, and rare aircraft such as the F7U Cutlass and how he saved a C-124 when the crew was disabled.
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Detailed and personal account of the P-47 pilots and maintainers of the 365th Fighter Group in Europe for the final year of WW2.
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Dramatic and thorough account of the American P-38 pilots and their incredible mission targeting Admiral Yamamoto.
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Overview of the US air war in Vietnam, using the Thanh Hoa bridge as a reference, with a healthy dose of commentary.
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Exciting fictional story of young Navy pilots and WSOs in F/A-18F Super Hornets facing the ultimate challenge. Written by former Navy pilot Paco Chierici.
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Very detailed and personal story of the famous brothers, reveals their personalities, their dogged persistence, and how their lives changed after they made history.
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True stories of incredible Cold War recon and surveillance flights as told by the American pilots and other aircrews who actually flew them, including the author, Colonel Samuel. Well-written and exciting.
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Detailed and exciting account of air combat in the Falklands War, 1982. A balanced story, respects both British and Argentine efforts.
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Authentic US Navy mishap and incident reports, in most cases written by the pilots and NFOs flying, as well as lessons from them – compelling reading.
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Outstanding account in text and photos of a Naval Aviation legend.
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Exciting and comprehensive account of heroic US Navy photo-reconnaissance pilots in combat, concentrating on the RF-8 Crusader. Declassified action reports, personal narratives, and tributes to the lost.
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Historical fiction. The momentous 1942 Battle of Midway seen on a personal level – exciting and realistic.
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A thorough and very entertaining look at how the popular movie “Top Gun” was made. (Very little about the actual Topgun squadron, it's about the movie.)
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Captures the aerial action and the personal side of USMC fighter combat in the Pacific during WWII.
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A detailed and candid account of a man with remarkable perseverance pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot; provides insights into EA-6B and EP-3 communities.
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Raw, informal account of a young man’s meandering path to computer history and a meaningful life.
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Entertaining review of warplanes from WW1 to today, with excellent photos and illustrations.
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Packed with exciting new, authoritative information and incredible photos and illustrations.
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Exciting stories and photos of F-14 development and combat as a strike-fighter.
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Fiction. Exciting, realistic, well-written story with tense action from the individual level to global war.
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Comprehensive and informative, with great photos and well-written text. Note: Distributor suggests purchasing from ebay, so that is the link used.
