Tailspin

By: John Armbruster

Narrated by: Brandon Pollock

World War II tail gunner Gene Moran fell four miles through the sky without a parachute and lived. Captured by the Germans, he survived a harrowing eighteen months as a prisoner of war, including a six-hundred-mile death march in 1945 across Central Europe.

When Gene returned home, he kept those memories locked up for nearly seventy years. His nine children knew little of their dad's war story. But when John, a young history teacher, learns of Gene's amazing fall, he's desperate to learn more. Finally, Gene agrees.

So begins a series of "Thursdays with Gene" interviews. Gene, nearing his ninetieth birthday, recounts incredible tales. But John has no idea what wounds he's reopening. Gene's nightmares and grief return. But both men persevere, bonded by their close and growing friendship.

As the interviews go on, John faces an ordeal of his own. His wife is fighting brain cancer. What will happen to his wife and his two young children? John must continue uncovering Gene's story of survival as he himself confronts the greatest trial of his life.

Tailspin is more than a war story. It's a story of two men's separate journeys confronting trauma and loss. It's a story of resilience and hope.

©2022 John Armbruster (P)2022 Tantor

Outstanding! Must read for any WW2 buff

One of the best if not the best. it's a tear jerker though. be prepared with tissue.

Great book

a glimpse of German POW camps and the brutality. A snap shot of the greatest generation! Tough. Raw courage. Unique survival of a fall to earth.

A story that needed to be told 

I was born and raised in the area that the person this book is about was from. I personally know of this family, and know several of the Moran children.  I had no idea this great story was a part of the Moran family’s history! I am so glad this book was recommended to me! I enjoyed listening to Mr Morans amazing story and happy that his extraordinary experiences and accomplishments from the WWII ERA have been recognized shared and now are appreciated by many!! It is a treasure from a time that is now lost to the past as most all of the great soldiers of that time are gone. If you appreciate real life accounts from this era you will love this book! Highly recommended!! Thank you to Mr Armbruster for writing this book so that others can learn and appreciate the sacrifices made by the great men and veterans of WWII !!

Endurance and strength.

A story of a man with incredible fortitude. I looked forward to each chapter. I was happy that he died at peace with his past.

What happened during the war and the long term effects.

The unflinching honesty about the time and the remembrance of what humans were and are capable of, both good and evil.