Must Read Non-Fiction Aviation Books (Air Force)

Want to be motivated and geared up for the upcoming tests? Here is the list of Must Read Non-Fiction Aviation Books (Air Force) Around The World!

 

1. Flyboys: A True Story of Courage by James Bradley

This bestseller covers the details around the Chichijima Incident. It is World War 2 execution and terrifying torture of 5 American Prisoner of Wars on the Chichi-Jima, Pacific Island.

Paperback, 464 pages

Published by Back Bay Books (14 September 2004)

First published on 30 September 2003

 

2. A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos by Larry Alexander

A true story about the 2-pilots, 2nd Lieutenant Charlie Brown, a former West Virginia Farm Boy and 2nd Lieutenant Franz Stigler, a former Bavaria, German Airline Pilot.

Hardcover, 392 pages

Published by Berkley (9 December 2012)

Goodreads Ratings: 4.25

 

3. Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden

Written by the journalist Mark Bowden in 1999, this is a 1993 documentation around the Unified Task Force who captured Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the faction leader of Somali. It resulted in a battle between the United States Forces and Aidid’s Militia. The highlight was the UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter attempting to rescue their crews.

Hardcover, 386 pages

Published 10 February 1999 by Atlantic Monthly Press

Goodreads Ratings: 4.28

 

4. The Women Who Flew for Hitler: The True Story of Hitler’s Valkyries by Clare Mulley

Story of the 2-women pilots, Hanna Reitsch and Melitta von Stauffenberg who was part of 1930s Germany. Book also gives an insight into Nazi Germany and its ideas for class, race and women.

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published 6 June 2017, by St. Martin’s Press

Goodreads Ratings: 4.13

 

5. Palace Cobra: A Fighter Pilot in the Vietnam Air War By Ed Rasimus

This is an autobiographical account of the return of Ed Rasimus to Vietnam and being part of the war. Ed was an F-105 Pilot who finished his hundredth mission and then returned to go on to live normal lives.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published 28 August 2007, by St. Martin’s Paperbacks (first published 2006)

Goodreads Ratings: 4.17

 

6. War Dog: The No-Man’s Land Puppy Who Took to the Skies by Damien Lewis

This is a must-read non-fictional account by Lewis about an orphan German Shepherd named Ant. Its Ant’s story of how he met a Czech AirmanAirman Robert Bozdech of French Air Force and later RAF.

305 pages

Publisher: Sphere (26 September 2013)

 

7. Kamikaze: A Japanese Pilot’s Own Spectacular Story of the Famous Suicide Squadrons by Yasuo Kuwahara, Gordon T. Allred

A heart-warming insight into the life of the Kamikaze Fighter Pilot, Yasua Kuwahara. He shares his experiences of brutal training, ferocious aerial combat and suicide mission during the atomic bombing on Hiroshima.

Paperback, 272 pages

Published 1 April 2007 by American Legacy Media (first published 12 April 1982)

Goodreads Ratings: 4.00

 

8. Viper Pilot: A Memoir of Air Combat by Dan Hampton

This one is an insight into modern air combat, Weasels (first war zone planes), various significant missions, the world’s iconic fighter jet, F-16 Fighting Falcon or Viper and more.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published 2 October 2012 by William Morrow

Goodreads Ratings: 4.07

 

9. Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany by Donald L Miller

Last in the list of aviation books is a personal account of the American Bomber Boys and their role in World War 2. The story portrays the descriptions of fighting-skies over Hanover, Berlin and Dresden. A moving reality of the Wartime England and German Prison Camps is given to the readers.

Hardcover, 671 pages

Published on 10 October 2006 by Simon & Schuster

Goodreads Ratings: 3.66

 

How many of these have you had in your collection of must-read non-fiction aviation books (air force) around the world?