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Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot
Of all the celebrities who served their country during World War II--and they were legion--Jimmy Stewart was unique. On December 7th, when the attack on Pearl Harbor woke so many others to the reality of war, Stewart was already in uniform: as a private on guard duty south of San Francisco at the Army Air Corps Moffet Field.
Seeing war on the horizon, Jimmy Stewart, at the height of his fame after Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and his Oscar-winning turn in The Phadelphia Story in 1940, had enlisted several months earlier.
Jimmy Stewart, Bomber Pilot chronicles his long journey to become a bomber pilot in combat. Author Starr Smith, the intelligence officer assigned to the movie star, recounts how Stewart's first battles were with the Air Corps high command, who insisted on keeping the naturally talented pilot out of harm's way as an instructor pilot for B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. By 1944, however, Stewart managed to get assigned to a Liberator squadron that was deploying to England to join the mighty Eighth Air Force. Once in the thick of it, he rose to command his own squadron and flew twenty combat missions, including one to Berlin.
“My father would feel honored by this book.” —Kelly Stewart Harcourt, daughter of Jimmy Stewart
"We would have made Jimmy a group commander [equivalent to an army regiment] if the war had lasted another month." - General Jimmy Doolittle.
"An excellent biography of a distinguished airman and fine human being." - Roger Freeman, author of The Mighty Eighth: A History of the U.S. 8th Air Force.
"How wonderful it is that Starr Smith has finally directed a literary light on the personal history of Jimmy Stewart. . . . I welcomed Starr's book. It is needed and wanted. Bravo!" - Gay Talese.
"This is a very well researched and written book. . . . It fills a place in history about no mere actor but a courageous and selfless man, Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart, USAF." - General Michael E. Ryan, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“I have met a few movie stars, but of them all, I think that Jimmy Stewart was most like those modest heroes he portrayed. Now journalist Starr Smith has raised the curtain on Stewart’s gallant service as a bomber pilot and air combat commander in World War II.” —Walter Cronkite, from the Foreword.
Seeing war on the horizon, Jimmy Stewart, at the height of his fame after Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and his Oscar-winning turn in The Phadelphia Story in 1940, had enlisted several months earlier.
Jimmy Stewart, Bomber Pilot chronicles his long journey to become a bomber pilot in combat. Author Starr Smith, the intelligence officer assigned to the movie star, recounts how Stewart's first battles were with the Air Corps high command, who insisted on keeping the naturally talented pilot out of harm's way as an instructor pilot for B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators. By 1944, however, Stewart managed to get assigned to a Liberator squadron that was deploying to England to join the mighty Eighth Air Force. Once in the thick of it, he rose to command his own squadron and flew twenty combat missions, including one to Berlin.
“My father would feel honored by this book.” —Kelly Stewart Harcourt, daughter of Jimmy Stewart
"We would have made Jimmy a group commander [equivalent to an army regiment] if the war had lasted another month." - General Jimmy Doolittle.
"An excellent biography of a distinguished airman and fine human being." - Roger Freeman, author of The Mighty Eighth: A History of the U.S. 8th Air Force.
"How wonderful it is that Starr Smith has finally directed a literary light on the personal history of Jimmy Stewart. . . . I welcomed Starr's book. It is needed and wanted. Bravo!" - Gay Talese.
"This is a very well researched and written book. . . . It fills a place in history about no mere actor but a courageous and selfless man, Brigadier General Jimmy Stewart, USAF." - General Michael E. Ryan, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“I have met a few movie stars, but of them all, I think that Jimmy Stewart was most like those modest heroes he portrayed. Now journalist Starr Smith has raised the curtain on Stewart’s gallant service as a bomber pilot and air combat commander in World War II.” —Walter Cronkite, from the Foreword.
320 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 15, 2019
A story that should have been written long ago when the major players were still alive. Still, an interesting book about a modest American hero and famous actor who did his duty in WWII. A highly competent wartime leader, who did not hold back from the most dangerous missions. Just not enough detail and focus on the wartime Jimmy Stewart. I wanted to get to know the bomber pilot close up, not from the hazy distance of memory and press clippings. 3 Stars
April 10, 2022
Attempting to write an objective review of Starr Smith’s Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition create a problem. Absent any other source a reader can only conclude that Jimmy Stewart was a good person, a patriot and a very good combat leader. I have no information to argue against any of this description. Jimmy Stewart’s war time service is more than a little remarkable. As a top of his class Hollywood movie star he was under no pressure to serve, much less serve to serve in combat. The draft had originally rejected him and that could have been the end of the story. He volunteered.
In part because he had several hundred hours as a pilot he got into a unit where he trained pilots for heavy bombers. He still could have avoided flying in combat.
Ultimately, he rose from enlisted status to a post war rank of General. And besides flying many combat missions became commander of successively larger Army Air Corps bombing units.
So far Smith’s book reads like the kind of book you might find that a war museum had written as much to promote the museum as to honor the man. It could have been written on behest of his family or home town. If you are looking for a book that honors a man who life is a positive inspiration Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition.
Mostly it is an easy read with much of the same “Aw shucks” fee that made so many of Stewart’s movie role comfortable and friendly. He may have been that person before the camera and in his various critical roles as a flying officer.
Speaking for myself, I found it repetitious. In particular Smith uses material from a variety of speeches and letters about Jimmy Stewart, then publishes the same letters as addendums to the book. Further Smith, having been an intelligence officer in several of the same units as Stewart is overly enamored of the Army Air Corps TAC school which had made the case for America to commit to strategic bombing. It Is not clear that what was achieved by bombing cities was worth the cost in civilian lives or in lost airmen. The case is very strong that tactical air, targeting rail roads, supply truck and especially air fields was a war winning strategy.
The audience for Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition is folks looking for the positive example of a good, patriotic leader of warriors. Not those looking for more complete analysis
In part because he had several hundred hours as a pilot he got into a unit where he trained pilots for heavy bombers. He still could have avoided flying in combat.
Ultimately, he rose from enlisted status to a post war rank of General. And besides flying many combat missions became commander of successively larger Army Air Corps bombing units.
So far Smith’s book reads like the kind of book you might find that a war museum had written as much to promote the museum as to honor the man. It could have been written on behest of his family or home town. If you are looking for a book that honors a man who life is a positive inspiration Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition.
Mostly it is an easy read with much of the same “Aw shucks” fee that made so many of Stewart’s movie role comfortable and friendly. He may have been that person before the camera and in his various critical roles as a flying officer.
Speaking for myself, I found it repetitious. In particular Smith uses material from a variety of speeches and letters about Jimmy Stewart, then publishes the same letters as addendums to the book. Further Smith, having been an intelligence officer in several of the same units as Stewart is overly enamored of the Army Air Corps TAC school which had made the case for America to commit to strategic bombing. It Is not clear that what was achieved by bombing cities was worth the cost in civilian lives or in lost airmen. The case is very strong that tactical air, targeting rail roads, supply truck and especially air fields was a war winning strategy.
The audience for Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot Kindle Edition is folks looking for the positive example of a good, patriotic leader of warriors. Not those looking for more complete analysis
May 24, 2021
When World War II brought America in with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, many American young men headed to sign up for military service. This included a large number of Hollywood actors and others in the film industry. Often, due to contracts with major film companies, some of the actors were restricted and not allowed to be sent into combat roles. Many of them settled into making morale-boosting films as their way of serving their country. But some wanted more and found ways to buck the system and do something they felt was more meaningful. Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot by Starr Smith is about one of those heroes! Jimmy Stewart was already a very successful actor and had recently won an Oscar for his performance in The Philadelphia Story and made Mr. Smith Goes to Washington about an outsider being elected to congress and trying to get meaningful things done while the system (swamp) tries to drag him down to become one of them; just watch it sometime. Jimmy Stewart was already an experienced civilian pilot and had already joined the Army and had started as a private in the infantry. He did get promoted to 2nd lieutenant and became a pilot because of his experience and not who he was. He worked his way up and was promoted to instructor for pilots of four-engine heavy bombers that he was well qualified to fly. But he still wanted to fly combat missions and the author (one of his army buddies who knew him well) tells how he overcame obstacles and eventually flew 20 combat bombing missions over Germany and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Many of those who flew with him were initially concerned about his ability because he was so famous, but they quickly got past that when they realized he was more of a regular guy than some of them. His easy-going personality comes through loud and clear throughout the book. He mentored so many young pilots when he was in command of his own B-24 Liberator Squadron, the plane he flew in combat. When the war ended and he returned to the US, he remained in the reserves and deservedly attained his final rank of Brigadier General! Oh, and the first film he made on his return to Hollywood you may have heard of: It's a Wonderful Life. One of the best books about one of the genuine human beings that I've read recently! Inspiring story that makes me want to be better.
November 10, 2023
Usually, when I call a Biography a hagiography, I'm making fun of it by comparing it to those fulsome Catholic Saint chronicles. In this case I will make a rare deserved exception. Written by former Airman/ journalist/PR Starr Smith, this book contains almost no negative remarks about anyone, let alone the subject Jimmy Stewart, the Hollywood star/playboy, who left California to do real flying and fighting in WWII. But I've met several B-24 pilots who flew in the 8th and 15th Airforces, out of the UK and Italy respectively, and from what I have heard about this particular pilot- it's pretty well deserved. Not just larger than life, but a better man than most and a wonderful military companion and leader.
The book traces Stewart's film career, but also his love of flying. As the war clouds gather, Stewart decided to "do his bit" in a more corporeal way than most of his acting contemporaries. He went out of his way to be able to be inducted, and then aimed himself at flying in action. About 10 years older than his fellow intake of pilots, he then had to fight Army Air Corps internal well-meaning attempts to keep him safe stateside. His excellence as a flier and officer, though, and his burning desire to serve at the sharp end kept finding key officers who helped him go overseas. Once there, he took part in over 20 missions over Europe, playing key roles in "Big Week", the prep for D-Day. Jimmy Stewart continued to dazzle the Army Air Corps and his fellow pilots, ending the war as a Group Commander, with a reputation as the best Pre-Mission Briefer in the ETO. I've read enough to know that this is all true, so even though it's presented a little fulsomely, it is compelling. We also get to know about his continued service in the AF Reserves that had him retire a General! He even checked out on the B-52, flying a Vietnam "ArcLight" Mission!
Frankly, this is a great book for a youngster to learn about, Entertainment, War, Duty, and being a true gentleman. The gentle but strong character of Jimmy Stewart is something we can all aspire to. Military Enthusiasts/Gamers/Modellers will also find a treasure trove of Stories, anecdotes, and then and now comparisons to help develop scenarios and dioramas. But the general background and the insight into the thinking of so many lovely senior vets will make this a good read for all. Well worth the time and a quick and easy read.
The book traces Stewart's film career, but also his love of flying. As the war clouds gather, Stewart decided to "do his bit" in a more corporeal way than most of his acting contemporaries. He went out of his way to be able to be inducted, and then aimed himself at flying in action. About 10 years older than his fellow intake of pilots, he then had to fight Army Air Corps internal well-meaning attempts to keep him safe stateside. His excellence as a flier and officer, though, and his burning desire to serve at the sharp end kept finding key officers who helped him go overseas. Once there, he took part in over 20 missions over Europe, playing key roles in "Big Week", the prep for D-Day. Jimmy Stewart continued to dazzle the Army Air Corps and his fellow pilots, ending the war as a Group Commander, with a reputation as the best Pre-Mission Briefer in the ETO. I've read enough to know that this is all true, so even though it's presented a little fulsomely, it is compelling. We also get to know about his continued service in the AF Reserves that had him retire a General! He even checked out on the B-52, flying a Vietnam "ArcLight" Mission!
Frankly, this is a great book for a youngster to learn about, Entertainment, War, Duty, and being a true gentleman. The gentle but strong character of Jimmy Stewart is something we can all aspire to. Military Enthusiasts/Gamers/Modellers will also find a treasure trove of Stories, anecdotes, and then and now comparisons to help develop scenarios and dioramas. But the general background and the insight into the thinking of so many lovely senior vets will make this a good read for all. Well worth the time and a quick and easy read.
July 1, 2023
A bit dry, but overall, a very informative book. So much respect for a man who volunteered for service, worked his way up from a private to a colonel, and served in such a humble manner that people didn't even know who he was at times.
July 1, 2023
One of the few Hollywood actors I have any respect for. I didn't know anything about his military service during WW2, so this was very interesting. The narrator was pretty good. His Jimmy Stewart impression got really close.
March 23, 2013
A very disappointing work, for me personally. I was expecting something akin to the late Stephen Ambrose' telling of former US Senator Eugene McCarthy's combat experience as a B-24 pilot in "Into the Wild Blue"; instead I read a a glowing tribute piece to the late Jimmy Stewart, that became more progressively praising in it's narrative, and seemingly carefully to avoid any historic detail that might get in the way. The general background history is good, but each time the author brings Stewart's role into the story, we get only the thinnest telling of the involvement, and then Stewart is whisked-off the stage lest we the reader ask for more detail. The author seems only to want to tell stories that show Stewart in the glow of the stage lights, rather than telling stories that let us see his human side of a young man at war. Having read enough legitimate histories of World War Two ETO bomber crews, and what the realities of aerial combat were to the men who flew the B17s and B24s, the author seems intent not to explore the matter that deeply. The author acknowledges the inherent danger of aerial combat through research and interviews, but as it relates to Stewart, we're given only the briefest brush and a comment on his own concerns of how fear might affect his performance. And that's the limit of it. As with every part of Stewart's history, we're given a good set-up, but no deep explorational story. We're never given anecdotal evidence to support the supposition that Stewart ever faced death, had to combat fear at the controls, or how he reacted when his plane was hit or his crew injured. We're led to believe, because the author does, that Stewart set his jaw and was the quiet stoic -- and never felt anything in combat, either during or after. That's impossible, as he would've certainly have watched members of his Group go down, explode, die. He wrote letters to grieving family members, he dealt with empty chairs at mess and lockers of those KIA and MIA to arrange to send hone. It had to cost him something, but we'll never know. The author never touches it. Being a bomber commander placed Stewart in the same deathly position as his crews. The planes' aluminum skin was thin and easy to penetrate by flak or bullets, mangling the men with hot, razor-sharp thick chunks of metal; the windscreen wasn't bulletproof to protect pilots from head-on attacks by fighters; oxygen lines and masks often froze-up; engines hit caught fire; gas tanks easily exploded, and the B24 had a fatal flaw -- it's high-loading wing could fold-up if hit by flak or cannon fire. We'll never know how all this affected Jimmy Stewart the B24 pilot, commander, and leader from this telling. We'll also never know what kind of pilot Stewart was with his crew, how he reacted in combat, what he really experienced and how he thought and felt about it. At times, this angering lack of detail and depth, gives the impression that the author thinks Stewart was on movie set where someone yelled, "cut" after he climbed into the cockpit, and "action" as he climbed-out. This approach doesn't help me understand anything significant about the American actor, other than he just happened to be a bomber pilot in a B24 who flew a lot of missions, etc. According to the author, this should be enough for anyone. It's not. This story simply doesn't want to tell us that, it won't go onto detail when we so frustratingly want the account to -- because it's not that kind of book. It's a story written as a carefully edited tribute, a loving and gallant telling of a national treasure's wartime experience. It is therefore, limited in scope to a complimentary narrative, edited for any content that provides insight into Stewart the man and refuses to address anything that challenges the picture of the quiet, fear-conquering stoic (to any degree). This isn't a historically significant accounting of Jimmy Stewart's wartime contributions, it's a minor and superficial one. It reads as the work of a fan, not a historian, and that needs to be kept in mind.
June 21, 2013
This is an adoring look at the actor Jimmy Stewart’s war record in World War II. Mr. Stewart was one of the first of the big name Hollywood stars to go into uniform at the beginning of the American involvement in World War II. Mr Smith recounts Stewart’s fears of being sidelined into a non combat position and his attempts to get a slot in a unit deploying overseas. Mr Smith looks at the various officers who influenced in his military career, both in getting him assigned to a combat unit, 445th BG, and his advancement thereafter. He advanced from Private to Full Colonel and command of a Bomb Wing during his time on active duty.
The portrait that Mr. Smith paints of Stewart is that of a low key friendly officer, who was well prepared for whatever assignment he wsa given. He didn’t use his position as a Hollywood star or respectively Squadron Leader, Group Operations office to get out of flying dangerous missions. One of the details that the author relates is that the higher command put a limit on the number of missions he could fly (1 in 5) and he purposely flew the deep penetration missions including the 3rd 8th AF mission to Berlin.
Mr. Smith also several appendices that look at the post war Jimmy Stewart including his involvement with the AF Reserve and some of his assignments there, including flying a B-52 Arc Light mission over Viet Nam.
The main problem I had with the book is that the author puts himself into the narrative way too much. He served at the Intel officer in the 453rd Bomb Group when Stewart was the Operations officer. He is constantly using I saw… , I was told…., I read… ect. I felt that it broke the flow of the book.
As a Jimmy Stewart admirer I thought the story was 4 stars, but the writing was 2 stars. Worth the read for Jimmy Stewart fans.
The portrait that Mr. Smith paints of Stewart is that of a low key friendly officer, who was well prepared for whatever assignment he wsa given. He didn’t use his position as a Hollywood star or respectively Squadron Leader, Group Operations office to get out of flying dangerous missions. One of the details that the author relates is that the higher command put a limit on the number of missions he could fly (1 in 5) and he purposely flew the deep penetration missions including the 3rd 8th AF mission to Berlin.
Mr. Smith also several appendices that look at the post war Jimmy Stewart including his involvement with the AF Reserve and some of his assignments there, including flying a B-52 Arc Light mission over Viet Nam.
The main problem I had with the book is that the author puts himself into the narrative way too much. He served at the Intel officer in the 453rd Bomb Group when Stewart was the Operations officer. He is constantly using I saw… , I was told…., I read… ect. I felt that it broke the flow of the book.
As a Jimmy Stewart admirer I thought the story was 4 stars, but the writing was 2 stars. Worth the read for Jimmy Stewart fans.
February 10, 2011
This might be the most poorly written book I have ever read. It's almost as if the author had enough material for a good short story, and was told to add 100,000 words to it. The sentence structure is cumbersome. There are so many superfluous details it's ridiculous. (for example, there is an entire chapter on Eisenhower and how he was frustrated at not seeing enough combat. What does that have to do with Jimmy Stewart?) The author frequently forgets that the book is about Stewart, not every Tom, Dick, and Harry that also flew a plane in WWII.
I'll summarize the plot for you so you won't have to read it. A year before Pearl Harbor, Stewart decided he needed to fight for his country. So he enlisted. He flew many missions, and was promoted because he was a hardworking, decent leader.
The end.
I'll summarize the plot for you so you won't have to read it. A year before Pearl Harbor, Stewart decided he needed to fight for his country. So he enlisted. He flew many missions, and was promoted because he was a hardworking, decent leader.
The end.
June 19, 2025
4.7 ⭐️ read rounded up to a 5. I throughly enjoyed reading this biography and learning more about James (Jimmy) Stewart’s military service and career. As he is my favorite actor, I had been cautious with reading any book about him, as a lot of the time “ignorance is bliss”, and I didn’t want to color my opinion of him.
After reading this book, I can say I have even more respect and appreciation for his quiet demeanor, patriotism, and overall character. There will never be another like him.
Smith did an excellent job of keeping to the history and adding in his own personal experiences during his stint in the 8th Air Force. I also appreciate how he wrote with without embellishment or assumptions. His writing style was easy to read, and some parts it was hard to put the book down.
I am also a WW2 history buff, and I learned a few more things concerning the 8th Air Force and their campaigns in the ETO.
Overall, a great read about a great American!
After reading this book, I can say I have even more respect and appreciation for his quiet demeanor, patriotism, and overall character. There will never be another like him.
Smith did an excellent job of keeping to the history and adding in his own personal experiences during his stint in the 8th Air Force. I also appreciate how he wrote with without embellishment or assumptions. His writing style was easy to read, and some parts it was hard to put the book down.
I am also a WW2 history buff, and I learned a few more things concerning the 8th Air Force and their campaigns in the ETO.
Overall, a great read about a great American!
June 19, 2015
I would like to have given this book four stars, but at the end I just couldn't go it. Starr Smith writes efficiently and authoritatively on the life Jimmy Stewart and his rise from an Army private to bird colonel in WWII. Stewart eventually got his brigadier general much later while serving in the Air Force Reserve.
After getting into flight school and earning his wings, Stewart served his entire career with the famous Eighth Air Force. Smith does a good job in narrating the role of the Eighth in the war and Stewart's service with it.
The reader also gets a good look at Stewart's Hollywood life.
Two things kept me from giving this book another star. First of all, as happens with so many biographies, the book writer was too close to the subject and it became a "love" story. Every personage no matter how great has warts, but this book didn't hint of a single one, so I can't say it was a complete look at the subject. Secondly the book basically ends at the 75% mark. The rest was just filler -- descriptions of museums, citations, speeches, etc.
I would still encourage any one who has an interest in Stewart or WWII
aviation to read this story of a remarkable man's life. Just know what to expect.
After getting into flight school and earning his wings, Stewart served his entire career with the famous Eighth Air Force. Smith does a good job in narrating the role of the Eighth in the war and Stewart's service with it.
The reader also gets a good look at Stewart's Hollywood life.
Two things kept me from giving this book another star. First of all, as happens with so many biographies, the book writer was too close to the subject and it became a "love" story. Every personage no matter how great has warts, but this book didn't hint of a single one, so I can't say it was a complete look at the subject. Secondly the book basically ends at the 75% mark. The rest was just filler -- descriptions of museums, citations, speeches, etc.
I would still encourage any one who has an interest in Stewart or WWII
aviation to read this story of a remarkable man's life. Just know what to expect.
November 15, 2019
If you only know Jimmy Stewart from his films, then you know him for who he is - at least that's the take-away from this excellent book that shows a humble man who enlisted before it was fashionable and did what it took to get into an airplane and into combat. With more than 20 combat missions, Starr Smith's book reads like the world's most interesting leadership handbook - if you're willing to pay attention to Stewart's actions as a commander. Smith doesn't sugar-coat and he doesn't aggrandize - he lets Stewart record do the talking. Aside from being an interesting look at an American film icon, it's also an interesting micro-view of the air war in Europe. If you are at all interested in US military aviation, or if you are a fan of Jimmy Stewart, you will not find a more enjoyable read.
June 28, 2008
A background reader highlighting a true patriot; first person with insightful interviews and details of one of Hollywood's most well-known actors. Details of his personal life are included, along with impressions of what it was like to work with a leader who was concerned with the lives and welfare of his people first, and his own success second. The author also evaluates what the motivations were of BGen (Ret) Stewart... Like all who met or were under his command, General Stewart was revered and trusted as a competent leader and pilot.
April 14, 2017
Well, I finally finished reading this book. I was so excited when I found it on a second-hand bookshelf and could hardly wait to begin, but truthfully I found it dragged and failed to really capture my interest. Stewart was apparently a very humble, private man who didn't talk much about his war-time or post-war experiences and for me this lack of personal input plus the author's tendency to go off on tangents made the telling rather dry. I have great respect for Stewart and his accomplishments but I don't think this book did him full justice.
April 9, 2024
An okay book on Jimmy Stewart’s wartime service, written by an intelligence officer who fought with Stewart in the 8th Airforce. It’s a relatively short book and what is focused on and what isn’t appears rather arbitrary, for instance, from Stewart being inducted into the Army as a Private to Corporal and then commissioned as a lieutenant doesn’t even fill up two whole pages, a longer a more expansive book would do much more justice to this time of a legitimate hero’s life. Though there are some interesting anecdotes included.
August 31, 2025
Love Jimmy Stewart movies and now recognize that the guy we know in “Mr Smith Goes to Washington”, “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Shop Around the Corner”is the same guy in real life. The “Aw shucks fellas” is the movie star and the Deputy Commander of the Air Wing. This is a very good book on Jimmy Stewart. It’s also a good book about a bomber pilot in WW 2, and about a genuinely nice guy that was a natural leader.
July 28, 2024
This is a fantastic overview of Stewart's World War II service. It also touches on his life prior and after, but the military aspect remains the focus. I had a special connection with this book, due to having a great uncle that served near Stewart in 1944 in England. The extras in the back added a lot of background and showed the depth of the author's research into this project.
September 13, 2025
Dałabym takie 3,5 gwiazdki. Książka jakoś mocno nie porywa i język jest strasznie pompatyczny.
October 19, 2025
great story about a real American hero.
February 13, 2024
"No man is a failure who has friends."
Jimmy Stewart has certainly become one of my personal heroes having read this excellent book. It tells the story of a selfless and moral man who, despite the option of coasting through life on his Hollywood stardom, served both his country and community in the USAF before, during and after WW2. Enlisting in the United States Airforce as a private, Stewart eventually rose to the rank of colnel (gaining a promotion to 1 star general in later years). Personally leading numerous bombing campaigns against Nazi Germany, he was consistently willing to lead by example facing the same risks as those under his command. Stewart embodied the spirit of a true leader and was a credit to the USAF officer core. Beloved and respected by his men, Stewart is a shining example to all those who are inspired to serve and lead.
Jimmy Stewart has certainly become one of my personal heroes having read this excellent book. It tells the story of a selfless and moral man who, despite the option of coasting through life on his Hollywood stardom, served both his country and community in the USAF before, during and after WW2. Enlisting in the United States Airforce as a private, Stewart eventually rose to the rank of colnel (gaining a promotion to 1 star general in later years). Personally leading numerous bombing campaigns against Nazi Germany, he was consistently willing to lead by example facing the same risks as those under his command. Stewart embodied the spirit of a true leader and was a credit to the USAF officer core. Beloved and respected by his men, Stewart is a shining example to all those who are inspired to serve and lead.
April 14, 2015
There is so little information about James M. Stewart's wartime service, beyond the public records. This is because he was famously modest about his accomplishments, and private in general. While that makes for an admirable person, it makes for a mighty slim read.
There is much here about the formation of the Army Air Force, and about the specs of WWII aircraft, and even about certain missions. However, it is disingenuous to state that this book is about Jimmy Stewart, given how little of it actually involves him. The portions regarding his participation would have made a cracking long-form journalism piece, in Smithsonian Magazine, say, but there just isn't enough here to merit 270 pages.
Here's a for instance. There is an entire chapter dedicated to Stewart meeting Edward R. Murrow. The men admired each other a great deal. However, their interaction consists of one sentence each, when they are introduced, and then they go their separate ways.
Here's another. Stewart is involved in a court-martial case wherein he has to give testimony. His contribution to the proceedings is literally given away in the heading of the chapter, but then the chapter consists of several pages.
For those interested in military/air force history, and specifically the European Theatre of Operations in WWII, this is an indispensable book. For those who think they're going to be reading 270 pages about James Stewart's role in that history, this will be disappointing. Don't get me wrong; you will get his whole military story (as far as its known). The problem is that the information available is so scarce that you can expect to read quite a lot where he doesn't even figure into the story.
There is much here about the formation of the Army Air Force, and about the specs of WWII aircraft, and even about certain missions. However, it is disingenuous to state that this book is about Jimmy Stewart, given how little of it actually involves him. The portions regarding his participation would have made a cracking long-form journalism piece, in Smithsonian Magazine, say, but there just isn't enough here to merit 270 pages.
Here's a for instance. There is an entire chapter dedicated to Stewart meeting Edward R. Murrow. The men admired each other a great deal. However, their interaction consists of one sentence each, when they are introduced, and then they go their separate ways.
Here's another. Stewart is involved in a court-martial case wherein he has to give testimony. His contribution to the proceedings is literally given away in the heading of the chapter, but then the chapter consists of several pages.
For those interested in military/air force history, and specifically the European Theatre of Operations in WWII, this is an indispensable book. For those who think they're going to be reading 270 pages about James Stewart's role in that history, this will be disappointing. Don't get me wrong; you will get his whole military story (as far as its known). The problem is that the information available is so scarce that you can expect to read quite a lot where he doesn't even figure into the story.
May 14, 2014
To most people remember Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in "It's a wonderful life." Or many of his other classics ("Rear Window", "Harvey", "Philadelphia Story", "The man who shot Liberty Valance", "Vertigo", "Winchester 73", "The flight of the Phoenix", etc...it is a very long list of 80+ films). Stewart was also a very established and respected pilot and severed at the height of world war II as not just an actor in a uniform, but a real life hero. Stewart went in as a private (initially to skinny to make the weight), but he was persistent since he wanted to serve his country. Within 4 years time he had left the Army Air Force (later the branch was known as the Air Force), as a Full Colonel. He was a pilot instructor and commander flying 20 bomber missions at the height of the war -- one mission over Berlin. After the war he maintained within the Reserves, and retired from the Reserves with the rank of Brigadier General. A very interesting book about a very special man.
January 26, 2013
A very interesting look @ an American acting legend's military career. Jimmy Stewart was just gaining ground as American icon & decided to put his career on hold to follow in his ancestors' footsteps and serve his country. Unlike many of the celebrities at the time who enlisted to entertain or simply work a desk job, Jimmy Stewart flew multiple missions over war torn Europe and lost a few friends along the way. When he returned, his performances were darker and more mature, which often gained him more respect. Worth the read if you are a Jimmy Stewart fan.
December 12, 2014
An amazing story about a truly remarkable man. A Hollywood icon that wasn't satisfied just joining the military when the war started, he wanted to fight, to defend the land he loved. And he advanced from private to colonel on his skill as a pilot and his leadership.
He worked for men who became the movers and shakers of the Army Air Corps and who created the US Air Force after the war. The story is told by a man who served with him as well who draws on books and stories told by others to served with him.
He worked for men who became the movers and shakers of the Army Air Corps and who created the US Air Force after the war. The story is told by a man who served with him as well who draws on books and stories told by others to served with him.
January 28, 2020
I read this c. 2009 and enjoyed it immensely. This is the perfect character to return home from the war (WW II) to a "wonderful life". J.S. went on after wartime to a full and productive career in USAF, besides making his wonderful movies. He served as an Air Force General in VietNam, of all places! Hurry, hurry, read all about it!
January 24, 2015
While this book will be of some interest to a diehard Jimmy Stewart fan, it's incredibly poorly written and short on meaningful biographical details. The author could've maybe crafted a cool magazine article out of this material, but it's just not enough to sustain a book-length endeavor.
January 6, 2014
Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot is a book dedicated to Jimmy Stewart's war time and Air National Guard service. For somebody who thinks It's a Wonderful Life is the most over rated movie in history I will still not look at Jimmy Stewart the same again, now I will look at him with much more respect.
April 25, 2014
The naysayers of this book are extremely misguided. This book was excellent cover to cover. Jimmy Stewart was truly a person to look up to. His selfless service in the Armed Forces are detailed here with passion. Truly a great representative of Americas greatest generation.
October 9, 2008
A bit on the dull side partly due to the lack of first hand information and Mr. Stewart's modesty about his achievements. It also seemed like the author wrote more about himself than Stewart.
April 2, 2018
More respect for Jimmy Stewart after reading this. Knew he was in the USAF but not to what extent.
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