Seven Came Through: Rickenbacker's Full Story

by Eddie V. Rickenbacker

The true account of 21 days adrift in a life raft by a famous aviation hero and pioneer.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, War, Memoir, Biography, Military Fiction

118 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was America's most successful fighter ace in the war. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.

See also: Eddie Rickenbacker and Edward Rickenbacker

Reviews

[Marianne Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 90 year old mother advised me to read this book because she remembered praying for these 8 lost men right at the start of WWII. Their missing status was cause for alarm and all Americans were praying. I got the book in mail after lunch and finished it before dinner. This was a wonderful read and a story that I had never heard before. As we honor our servicemen in this country its important not to forget all the tiny stories that build the foundation courage, survival, and triumph.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eddie Rickenbacker had an eventful life. Lucky for us, he liked to write a little, too.

[Agnes DiPietrantonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, published in 1943, belonged to my brother. He read it as a high school sophomore.I read it as a 12 year old and have carried it with me no matter where I lived. Reading it now, I am still impressed with the courage of these men and am even more aghast at what they suffered for 21 days afloat in the Pacific. Add that Cpt. Rickenbacker was able to give such insightful commentary into the situation in Germany as well as assessment of the need for a quality air force, I am not surprised that America was able to accomplish what it did during WWll.

[SM Surber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of WWI flying ace, Eddie Rickenbacker’s 21 days in the Pacific after running out of fuel and crashing “onto” the ocean. He and the other seven occupants of the military plane were able to get into rafts and survive with little to nothing until spotted and rescued. Having come across Rickenbacker’s grave a few years back, in a cemetery in Columbus, Ohio, the book brought to life a short period of this American hero’s life.

[RichVT · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a plain speaking no nonsense memoir of a horrific event - while on a mission to deliver a report to the pacific command during ww2, this WW1 decorated fighter pilot was in a plane that crashed into the sea. He and 6 others survived 21 days in two rafts. The deadpan no frills description probably says as much about the man as the fact that he endured this at middle, not young, age. What emerges is a truly tough guy who faces adversity with determination and calculation, but never fear.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening point of view. Fascinating to read a true piece of history, c1943.

[Sonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Partial autobiography of Eddie Rickenbacher. WW I flying ace, a founder of the Indianapolis 500, and founder of Eastern airlines among other things. This book concerns his service in WWII as a special envoy for secretary of war Stinson inspecting airbases in the Pacific. Specifically deals with his crash landing in the Pacific Ocean and spending 21 days with 7 others in three small rafts.
Great story of survival in very life threatening circumstances.

[Katy Lohman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I inherited my dad's copy of the book, like 5 years ago, and only now got to it. It's a gripping tale of a crashed plane, and how 7 men struggled to survive in the open ocean on 3 tiny rafts. It's also an interesting view of the world wars, and the military figures who fought it, and the beginning of the use of aircraft in war. Thank you, Dad!

[Jrobert · Rating 4 out of 5]

True story of how 7 men survived 21 days floating on the pacific in life rafts after they overshot the island at night and their plane ran out of gas. Airman Eddie Rickenbacker was one of the 8 men in the life rafts who lived to tell this story. Short but interesting tale of this event. Thanks for the recommendation pal.

[Kirby Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, interesting, subdued look at two plotlines: Rickenbacker's call to inspect and report back on America's air corp on both the European and Pacific fronts, and his air crew's survival of a plane crash and 21-day journey on three escape rafts.

[Lyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short account of his time stranded adrift in the Pacific and some of his thought on airpower as it relates to to the Air Force and to national policy.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent journalistic telling of what happened when eight men became shipwrecked. It is about real life events and was written by the captain of the stricken vessel. (I read this at least twenty years ago...)

[Chris Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and educational.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK short account of Rickenbacker's survival with a group of people at sea after a plane crash during the second world war.

[Lugene Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historically interesting man. Quite a lot of achievements in his life and quite patriotic. I felt the suffering the men went through.

[D. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of survival (pilots down at sea) in a very short book; defines "shade of gray."