Gunslingers

Allied Fighter Boys of WWII

By: James P. Busha

Narrated by: Steve Menasche

By the time the war clouds of Europe and Asia spilled onto the shores of the United States, the Allied military found itself outmanned, outgunned and out flown. The United States, still reeling from the Great Depression, was in a technological disadvantage in all branches of the military. This included, of course, a viable air force.

There have been volumes of books written about the development of US airpower and the technological specifications of each American or Allied aircraft. This is not one of them. This book focuses on the young men who answered the call to duty and were literally transformed from “farm boys to fighter pilots.” It offers a rare glimpse of what it was like to fly a variety of frontline fighters in World War II. From Army Air Force P-39 Aircobras, P-40 Warhawk’s, P-38 Lightning’s, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustang’s to US Navy F4F Wildcats, F4U Corsairs and F6F Hellcats. Each story is told in descriptive detail, with the inclusion of actual combat reports contained in many of the stories. Many of the pilots depicted also achieved the status of ace with five or more aerial victories.

©2022 James P. Busha (P)2022 Rowman & Littlefield

Gripping Narrative

A collection of short first person stories by pilots about their experiences as fighter pilots and their impressions of the planes they flew, from the Brewster Buffalo to the P-80 Shooting Star.

Loved the stories, narration not so much

I enjoyed the book, but honestly, the narration was painful. I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Great stories, disappointing narration

This is a great book for anyone who wants to get more perspectives from the air war in WW2. However it is distracting and immersion breaking to hear the narrator’s thick accent and jowls flapping. At one point he is talking about a plane called the Air Cobra and he pronounces something like “Aer-ah Colber”. I don’t like to roast this guy but he shouldn’t be recording an audiobook in my opinion.

Poor narration

I thoroughly enjoyed the contents of the book itself. I was very unhappy with the narrator and subsequently the approval of his narration. His mispronunciation of many of the aircraft designations and the ranks of the individuals made the material nearly impossible to listen to. I won't be purchasing any more books narrated by this person.