The Red Baron

by Richard Fox

At the dawn of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen sought glory. What he found was misery. Sentenced to a meaningless staff position after losing his first battle, Richthofen joins the fledgling German air force and discovers his deadly talent for air to air combat.

In the air, victory and renown come at the expense of other men’s lives and with a burden that grinds against his soul. To the soldiers and people of Germany, he was the pride of an empire. To his foes, he was the Red Baron. As wounds to his body and spirit mount, Richthofen learns that even heroes have limits. As the war enters the final stages, finding the strength to keep fighting will be his greatest battle.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ebooks

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2014

About the author

Richard Fox is a Nebula Award nominated author, and winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel, author of The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series, and other novels in the military history, thriller and space opera genres.

He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.

He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.

The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning

Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde

Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns

The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor

The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War

Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf

Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...

Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com

Reviews

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book riled me from the first page. The word plane/planes has, unfortunately, become acceptable in the modern age. However it is likely not to have been used in the first world war. I was most certainly not acceptable in the 1960's RAF. Richard Fox is unable or unwilling to find any alternative and plane/planes are littered throughout the book. On top of this are the numerous spelling and missing words from poor or non existent proof reading.

The story itself is ok but fictionalised biography is not really my "thing" as I seems to belittle the characters. What ever side you are on some showed outstanding courage in terrible conditions.

An author that I will avoid in future. A generous 2 stars.

[Kris Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written account of Baron von Richtofen's short life. I felt that Mr. Fox did a fantastic job of remaining politically neutral while painting a picture of a dedicated, professional soldier who placed service to others above self. While some may criticize the lack of "adult" themes, I believe that the story lost none of its poignancy in its simplicity. Well worth a read.

[Agnese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. It's hard to put down and the historical part is accurate enough that when the author gives himself space for speculation, it doesn't appear garish.

The depiction of the protagonist is very interesting and ultimately it captures the essence of the Red Baron, be it his true personality or the legend that we like to believe.

[Darel Krieger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books on the Red Baron and while this one one isn’t the best it certainly was a good read. Somewhat short but it does a good job of telling the story of the Red Baron and how he gained his fame during WWI.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winner!

The story, not the war. It painted a very sympathetic side of world war one for the Germans, not the allies.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So really liked this historical fiction book about the red baron. Richard Fox fictionalizes the true events of Manfred von Richthofen's life. Manfred started off by completely bungling his first experience at leadership. For this transgression he gets sent to logistic headquarters and far away from the action of war. As an impetuous young man with a lot to prove, he manages to get a position in a flying squadron. He doesn't start off with genius. He's too arrogant, too impulsive, and cares only glory. Yet, the high casualty rate causes him to start valuing life and responsibility. His brother, Lothar, is transferred into his squadron and is a young, reckless, showy young man. Manfred takes it upon himself to make sure his brother doesn't turn into a brute killing machine. Fox tells the story of a complicated, compassionate man who tried to be kind in the face of the barbarity of war. It's a sad tale of war. Manfred's identity is entrenched in war and his success, but he tries very hard to not become a war butcher. In the end, Fox created a very sympathetic character in Manfred and you could almost find yourself rooting for the Germans in WWI.

[Studebhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reluctant Hero

This book was a well told adventure story of the men who fought in the skies over a war torn Europe during WW1. I enjoyed the background story of these men,and, especially the story of the Red Baron. What was a treat for me was all of the research by the author on the Red Baron, the men who fought at the time, and the the time and place of a war fought in the skies during the early days of combat aviation. The story moves along at a quick pace, maintaining your interest right up to the conclusion.

[Terry Asla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sugar-coated history

At least there was no Hollywood ending with the Red Baron surviving to go on to found a pizza company.

That said, the characters are as cardboard-y as a cheap fropzen pizza crust and a white-washed pizza crust at that.

Readers would do far better reading one of the many biographies.

[John Vanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a historical narrative of von Richtofen. Written more as a YA WWI book for young boys. Historically very inaccurate but still not a bad read. I enjoyed the telling even knowing that most of it was not even close to the truth. Maybe it's the 11 year old in me that still enjoys a good war story like this.

[Rick Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Red Baron by Richard Fox is a no frills, fictionalized account of flying along side the Red Baron. No swearing, no drinking, no women, in fact no personal life to speak of. It reminded me of a highly sanitized book of the Wright Brothers I once read as a kid. Strictly for fun.

[omar perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice

Entertaining read. Enjoyed it, the only problem is the books ending. It was an abrupt stop to a book that had a nice flow to it.

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't very detailed but it serves as a good outline of the Red Baron's war history. Good read. Quick.