On Wings of the Morning

by Dan Verner

Young Otto Kerchner dreams of escaping his father’s Wisconsin dairy farm and becoming a flier like his hero Charles Lindbergh. When a small airport is built on an adjoining property, Otto trades odd jobs for flight lessons and becomes a pilot at 16. When World War II breaks out, he enlists in the Army Air Corps and finds himself a year later high over Germany at the controls of a B-17. Otto and his crew fly 23 missions untouched, but then his world shatters, and he must draw on reserves of faith and courage he never imagined. On Wings of the Morning brings to life the ordinary men and women of the Greatest Generation who, stirred by fate and fortune, accomplished extraordinary things. Faithful in its depiction of events and evocative across a spectrum of emotions, this gentle but incisive tale will engage, inform and move readers of all ages.

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2013

Reviews

[Nick Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! This novel follows the life of Otto Kerschner, an American born of German descent, who dreams of nothing more than soaring through the skies. He is given this unique opportunity when America joins World War II. Everything about his life, before the war, and after it, is defined by these few brief years he spends piloting a B-17 bomber.

Verner creates a hero in Otto, and not just for his military service. Readers will find themselves rooting for Otto from day one, through all the trials and victories in his life. (If every challenge was an Olympic event, Otto would be a decathlete!) He suffers and succeeds, and the storytelling and pacing keep readers curious and engaged throughout. Verner's attention to detail and dialogue allow the reader to become immersed in the story, from the Wisconsin farmland to the war torn skies over Germany.

Finishing this book on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks was an especially moving moment. Verner's book humanizes, acknowledges and pays tribute to the men and women who serve. Truly a great read.

[Kelly Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heart warming story, and Dan Verner did such a great job of capturing an historical moment in time that I felt I was right there with Otto and his family. Dan brought the characters in this novel to life, with rich detail and an honest simplicity. I appreciated Dan’s writing style, which is clear and forthright, and carries you through each chapter as the saga of Otto’s life unfolds. I understand that there is at least one more book in this series and I hope Dan doesn’t make us wait too long to read more about Otto and his family.

[Phil Hemsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the life of Otto Kerchner from childhood, through the war and into the peace. Always an enthusiast for flying, his passion leads him to be a bomber pilot in the war. We follow his work life, his love life and his personal struggles. There is a lot of detail about life in the 30's and 40's which comes across smoothly in the text. It is an enjoyable book to read, although a slightly slow start. It is not high fiction but is a good 'feel good' book.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a go-to novel for WWII historians, airline pilots, and romantics alike. Otto comes of age as he learns to fly, faces the hardships of war, and deals with the loss - and finding - of love. Too often, stories portray in injury-free war hero but this story makes the reader and characters deal with the realities of war and the realities of love. I highly recommend On Wings of the Morning for all fans of historical fiction.

[Phil Hamman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otto is a determined, Wisconsin farm boy who overcomes obstacles in his quest to fulfill his passion of becoming a pilot, which he does at the age of 16. Dan Verner weaves historical facts into a fast-paced story filled with the intensity of war as well as the path to finding what's really important in life. A great read, especially for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

[Raelee Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review titles always suck, but

This is a good book with an intriguing plot, likeable characters, some colorful details, and amusing moments. It felt a little slow at times, with quite a few descriptions that are probably much more interesting to men, but I still enjoyed it an awful lot.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of Otto is one of triumph above misfortune. This is a great read. I can hardly wait for the next one to come out.