Hap Arnold: Inventing the Air Force

by Bill Yenne

General Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold is widely considered the father of the United States Air Force. But his long list of accomplishments doesn't begin or end there. He was also the first and only five-star general of the US Air Force; one of the first US military aviators; the first American to carry air mail; and the architect of the war-winning air strategy of World War II.

In this new biography of one of the American military’s most towering figures, author Bill Yenne weaves the story of Hap Arnold's life, from his youthful days as a cunning prankster to his sunset career as an elder statesman. All along, Yenne unfolds General Arnold's life like the adventure story it is. A bold advocate for technological advancement, Hap Arnold was a powerful character in the golden age of aviation, an innovative warrior in the conflict that defined the modern era, and the creator of an entirely new branch of the US military.

Hap Arnold: The General Who Invented the US Air Force is a page-turning adventure biography for history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the events that shaped America and the world in the first half of the twentieth century.

Genres: Biography, History, Aviation, World War II, Military History, Aviation History, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Bill Yenne is the author of several novels and over three dozen books on historical topics. He has also been a contributor to encyclopedias of both world wars.

The New Yorker wrote of Sitting Bull, his biography of the great Lakota leader, that it "excels as a study in leadership." This book was named to the number 14 spot among Amazon's 100 Best Books of the Year.

Library Journal observed that "enthusiastic World War II readers will be drawn to" his dual biography, Aces High: The Heroic Story of the Two Top Scoring American Aces of World War II.

Recently, his book Convair Deltas was named as Book of the Month by Air Classics, while his book Tommy Gun was named Pick of the Month by Shooting Illustrated.

His book Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint was listed among the top business books of the year by Cond Nast Portfolio Magazine, which rated Yenne's tome as its TOP pick for "Cocktail Conversation."

Yenne's Rising Sons: The Japanese American GIs Who Fought for the United States in World War II, was praised by Walter Boyne, former Director of the National Air & Space Museum, who called it "a fast moving... page turner," and the "best book yet written on the saga."

The Wall Street Journal wrote, when reviewing his Indian Wars: The Campaign for the American West, that Yenne writes with "cinematic vividness," and says of his work that it "has the rare quality of being both an excellent reference work and a pleasure to read."

The author lives in San Francisco, California, and on the web at www.BillYenne.com

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Reviews

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The remarkable career of Henry H. Arnold, a pilot who rose to be the first 5-star general of the U.S. Air Force and who was responsible in large part for building the Air Force from a minor adjunct of the U.S. Army into the overwhelming military aviation force in the world, is an interesting read as laid out here by Bill Yenne. In particular, the leadership Arnold exhibited during the Second World War is fascinating to read about. The book, as biography, does not soar very high, and is probably of interest mainly to those with a fascination with military or aviation history. Yenne likes to use the first, middle, and last names of various figures repetitiously throughout the book, which became a distracting authorial tic after a while. His approach to history is thorough, but the book was a bit of a letdown after some of the magnificent biographies I've read lately. It's probably the best book on Arnold, but that's faint praise. Very readable, but not very affecting.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yenne’s book on Arnold is an exhilarating journey through the life of one of the most influential figures in American aviation history. With his impeccable storytelling skills, Yenne brings to life the extraordinary achievements and charismatic personality of General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. From his early days as a pilot during World War I to his pivotal role in shaping the United States Air Force, Arnold's life is a testament to visionary leadership and unrelenting determination. Yenne masterfully captures the essence of Arnold's character, painting a vivid picture of a man driven by a passion for flight and a relentless pursuit of excellence. What sets Yenne's book apart is his ability to seamlessly blend historical facts with captivating anecdotes. The narrative effortlessly flows from one pivotal moment to another, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it's Arnold's instrumental role in the development of strategic bombing or his tireless efforts to establish an independent air force, Yenne provides a comprehensive and engaging account of Arnold's contributions. Yenne's extensive research is evident in the book's meticulous attention to detail. He delves into the complexities of aviation technology and the political landscape of the time, making the historical context come alive. Moreover, the book is enriched with photographs, maps, and illustrations, further enhancing the reader's understanding and immersion into Arnold's world. "Hap Arnold: The General Who Invented the US Air Force" is a must-read for aviation enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone seeking an inspiring tale of innovation and leadership. Yenne's masterful storytelling and in-depth research make this biography a captivating and informative tribute to a true pioneer in American military history.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold got his first flight lesson on 3 May 1911. His instructor was Orville Wright. In July he received his pilot’s certificate. Second Lieutenant Arnold was one of the first U. S. Army Aviators. In the early days the aviators were in the Signal corps.

Yenne reviews Arnold’s early life and briefly includes some personal details but mostly covers his military career. The author covers Arnold’s career during World War One, the period between the Wars and covers in-depth his role in World War Two’ also the creation of the modern day U.S. Air Force. I particularly enjoyed the section about Arnold and General Billy Mitchell. Yenne discusses the relationship between Arnold and some of his commanders such as Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, Jimmy Doolittle, Curtis LeMay and Ira Eaker. The author goes into detail as to how Arnold built the Army Air Corps into a modern Air Force in 1938 as ordered by Chief of Staff General George Marshall. The majority of the book covers WWII both the European and Pacific Theatres of War. Arnold was one of the five Army Generals to wear five stars and the only U.S.A.F. five star general.

The book is well written and researched. Yenne quotes frequently from Arnold memoirs. Yenne had access to the archived records and the papers of many of the other key high ranking military officers. The Department of Defense has released most of the World War One and Two documents to researches and biographers now. By the way “Hap” was short for Arnold’s military nickname of Happy. I thoroughly enjoyed this biography and history of our air force. If you are interested in our air power and WWII you must read this biography. I read this as an e-book on my Kindle app on my iPad. The book is 304 pages long and was first published in 2013.

[Alex Utz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alex Utz
Happ Arnold the General who Invented the Air Force by Bill Yenne was a great biography. I rated this a four out of five because this was a great description of Happ Arnold life and career. Yenne was very precise and had good quotes from the great General’s memoirs. He had dates for everything that happened in his life and the dates leading up to the creation of the Air Force. I first saw this book many years ago on my dads self. I was 9 at the time and asked if I could read it one day and he said one day yes but I never got around to it. To be honest I probably would have been bored with it at that time. Then one day while we were on vacation I asked him again five years later and again he said yes. It was much more appealing to me because I have been interested in being in the military one day.
I ended up loving this book and I am planning on reading it again. It was just fascinating all the trouble he went through to get where he got. The death of his child and the consist doubt if everybody in the United States military didn’t stop him from reaching his goal.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in history, military history, or someone who is thinking about joining the Airforce. I never thought it would be this interesting to learn about. I have great respect for Armed Forces and this book enchanted that respect even more. General Arnold was so persistent and patient that eventually he won the day. This book made me realize General Arnold is one of the most underrated generals in American history. He created an entire military branch for crying out loud.
My favorite part of the book is actually the beginning. My first thought was he was this perfect man, smart, kind, never told a lie. But I surprised to find out that he was a lot like me, Happ was a middle of the road academically and loved to athletics. It gives me hope because if he can achieve all of that without being the perfect , then I can achieve anything. Also I loved this book

[Devan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a very informative book. I knew absolutely nothing about this man or the founding of the U.S. Air Force before picking this book up in a bargain bin, and now I know a lot.

I have to say, the title is not an overstatement. Hap Arnold was almost single-handedly responsible for making the U.S. Air Force what it is today. It was really cool reading about how he was there at the birth of aviation, led U.S. aviation through both World Wars, and laid the foundation of the U.S. Air Force. A very impressive man.

That said, I have some criticisms of the book itself. It is by no means masterfully written. The book is strictly chronological, and sometimes the book feels like a month-by-month play-by-play of Hap's life, a series of events with few ties to an overall narrative. That isn't a big deal though.

The book promised I would learn about Hap Arnold. I did. Thus, it's a good book.

[Bill Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Yenne proves again he is the master of the biography. I enjoyed reading about Hap Arnold and his building of the USAAF from a backwater force to the most powerful air force in the history of the world. Also showing how important he was when he wasn't replaced after any of his heart attacks. He might not have been the easy commander to work for but he was respected and got the job done. He led the USAAF throughout the whole war through its infancy to its domination of Germany and Japan. He stuck with precision bombing until it was proven and then agreed that area bombing was the best in forcing Japan into surrendering. I also came to the realization that air power actually finished Japan without an invasion. I do understand that the Navy was a big part in sinking Japan's shipping and the Army and Marine Corps in defeating their ground forces in the Pacific. I do recommend this book and thank you Bill Yenne in writing another great biography.

[Jdblair · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an Air Force veteran of the late 1960s and early 1970s, I knew of Hap Arnold but nothing specific. Hap Arnold along with Tooey Spaatz and Ira Eaker were there in the maturing of the Air Force. Preceding them was Billy Mitchell. This is a fascinating book about General Arnold's life and the trials, challenges, and tribulations he had to deal with. Anyone with an interest in military aviation, WWI and WWII history, and the Air Force should enjoy this book.

[Mark E. Young, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else can you say. Excellent read. Well written and easy to read. As a student of US Airpower I knew about the major accomplishments of his life and career, but the author goes into the man behind the accomplishments. This volume provides a very good picture of his thinking, morals and integrity. Read with confidence.

[Alex Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read on the struggles of creating the USAF and imbuing it with a vision.

[Mark Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. It tells the story of of the man who invented the US Air Firce.

[Jordan]

Fun read, nice to connect Hap with other histric figures and moments in the Air Force's history.

[Nicholas Kokolakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An okay history. Get very superficial but did provide some in sight into the Arnold Story. I thought his perspective on logistics, learning to fly, and his personal life were interesting.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAP ARNOLD: THE GENERAL WHO INVENTED THE U. S. AIR FORCE by Bill Yenne is an interesting History/U. S. Air Force. This is the story of General Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold, concerned the father of the modern United States Air Force. He is a five-star General. Though, extensive research, interviews, and documentation he has brought Hap Arnold to life for the American people. He was or has been one of the neglected generals in American history, who served during World War II. Learning to fly from the famous Orville Wright,he predicted the Japanese would strike Pearl Harbor prior to the famous strike that took so many lives. What a fascinating story! I would suggest reading "Hap Arnold" for anyone who is interested in learning more on the U. S. Air Force, and on this interesting Military man. A must read! Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: NONE
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

[Relstuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good general biography of Hap Arnold (no pun intended), the only five star general to serve in to two service branches. Arnold took the US Army Air Force and grew it from an organization vastly outnumbered by other nations and behind the curve in their technology to the biggest and most advanced Air Force in the world. He built a transportation command that went further with more capacity than anything that had ever existed and his training command eventually were churning out trained Airmen fast enough to replace 25% losses. His happy personality helped him get things done working with big personalities in the military and in politics including the president of the United States and Prime Minister Churchill.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed professionally.

[jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, the changes that this man witnessed and was a part of is amazing.