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Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II
"This book is a masterpiece. It captures the essence of the Tuskegee Airmen's experience from the perspective of one who lived it. The action sequences make me feel I'm back in the cockpit of my P-51C 'Kitten'! If you want to know what it was like fighting German interceptors in European skies while winning equal opportunity at home, be sure to read this book!" — Colonel Charles E. McGee , USAF (ret.) former president, Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
“All Americans owe Harry Stewart Jr. and his fellow airmen a huge debt for defending our country during World War II. In addition, they have inspired generations of African American youth to follow their dreams.” — Henry Louis Gates Jr. , Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University
He had to sit in a segregated rail car on the journey to Army basic training in Mississippi in 1943. But two years later, the twenty-year-old African American from New York was at the controls of a P-51, prowling for Luftwaffe aircraft at five thousand feet over the Austrian countryside. By the end of World War II, he had done something that nobody could take away from
He had become an American hero.
This is the remarkable true story of Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen pilots who experienced air combat during World War II. Award-winning aviation writer Philip Handleman recreates the harrowing action and heart-pounding drama of Stewart’s combat missions, including the legendary mission in which Stewart downed three enemy fighters.
Soaring to Glory also reveals the cruel injustices Stewart and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen faced during their wartime service and upon return home after the war. Stewart’s heroism was not celebrated as it should have been in postwar America—but now, his boundless courage and determination will never be forgotten.
“All Americans owe Harry Stewart Jr. and his fellow airmen a huge debt for defending our country during World War II. In addition, they have inspired generations of African American youth to follow their dreams.” — Henry Louis Gates Jr. , Alphonse Fletcher University Professor, Harvard University
He had to sit in a segregated rail car on the journey to Army basic training in Mississippi in 1943. But two years later, the twenty-year-old African American from New York was at the controls of a P-51, prowling for Luftwaffe aircraft at five thousand feet over the Austrian countryside. By the end of World War II, he had done something that nobody could take away from
He had become an American hero.
This is the remarkable true story of Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen pilots who experienced air combat during World War II. Award-winning aviation writer Philip Handleman recreates the harrowing action and heart-pounding drama of Stewart’s combat missions, including the legendary mission in which Stewart downed three enemy fighters.
Soaring to Glory also reveals the cruel injustices Stewart and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen faced during their wartime service and upon return home after the war. Stewart’s heroism was not celebrated as it should have been in postwar America—but now, his boundless courage and determination will never be forgotten.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2019
42 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 28, 2020
This is something every American and Canadian needs to read. It's a brilliantly-written memoir about a part of history not well known. Take my advice and read this book. Highly recommend! #ownvoices #blacklivesmatter
My Rating: 5+ stars
My Rating: 5+ stars
June 21, 2019
I've known the basic story about the Tuskegee Airmen and have read about them when the information was part of another book about WWII. I've even met several of the actual Tuskegee Airmen at the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow. My previous neighbor was a Tuskegee Airman (Milton Henry) but I didn't learn that until after he had passed. Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of WWII by Philip Handleman follows Harry T. Stewart Jr. from his early fascination with early aircraft and his determination, against all odds, to someday fly those machines. As difficult as it was for just anybody to get trained and get licensed to fly, Harry had another major hurdle, most trainers would not take on Blacks as students. Through his ability to not take no for an answer, Harry was able to get into the Tuskegee flight training program where he worked hard to overcome any and all obstacles to become an American combat pilot. The book covers his youth as well as his years in the military and life after where he experienced the prejudice still prevalent in America that prevented him from his goal to become an airline pilot. But he pursued other careers successfully in corporate America. Throughout the book we are introduced to many of the other members of the Tuskegee Airmen and learn of their exploits as well as the honors that eventually came to them individually as well as the group including the Congressional Medal of Honor. Very well written and researched including many photos, it was hard to put down. It is loaded with inspirational stories especially for those who think their goals may be too difficult. Here are some exceptional role models! Highly recommended read for WWII buffs as well as those interested in early days of aviation and military combat aircraft.
July 30, 2021
This story is one profound, soul-stirring, and emotionally charged recollection to read. The character, conduct, talent, professionalism, and commitment The Tuskegee Airmen exhibited during World War II was beyond amazing. This book reveals the horrific injustices and a firsthand account of the war by Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr. Mr. Stewart dealt with some health challenges which did not deter him from his dream to fly an aircraft.
The military during this time was unapologetically segregated, but The Tuskegee Airmen showed courage and determination for their incredible aviation skills and contributions to the Army, as good as and sometimes better than their white counterparts. As the book notes, "The Tuskegee Airmen have the best possible excuse to lash out in fits of rage. Even when they were putting their lives on the line for their country, some of their countrymen went out of their way to belittle and berate them, for no good reason at all. But as the targets of this shameful treatment, they usually didn't take the bait."
Harry Stewart and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen never stopped dreaming. Although they were not allowed to pursue flying aircraft after they got out of the Army, they refused to be intimidated by the evils of prejudice. Today because of the gallantry as that of Harry Stewart, African-Americans, women, and other minority groups have the opportunity to pursue careers in aviation, built on the backs and courage of souls like Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr. and The Tuskegee Airmen.
This book is highly recommended, especially if you're interested in the different types of aircraft of this time and the historical contributions these mighty men of valor made.
The military during this time was unapologetically segregated, but The Tuskegee Airmen showed courage and determination for their incredible aviation skills and contributions to the Army, as good as and sometimes better than their white counterparts. As the book notes, "The Tuskegee Airmen have the best possible excuse to lash out in fits of rage. Even when they were putting their lives on the line for their country, some of their countrymen went out of their way to belittle and berate them, for no good reason at all. But as the targets of this shameful treatment, they usually didn't take the bait."
Harry Stewart and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen never stopped dreaming. Although they were not allowed to pursue flying aircraft after they got out of the Army, they refused to be intimidated by the evils of prejudice. Today because of the gallantry as that of Harry Stewart, African-Americans, women, and other minority groups have the opportunity to pursue careers in aviation, built on the backs and courage of souls like Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr. and The Tuskegee Airmen.
This book is highly recommended, especially if you're interested in the different types of aircraft of this time and the historical contributions these mighty men of valor made.
December 17, 2022
I’ve been learning to love history over the last few years, and books like this help that process a lot. It’s a great combination/ balance of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and a biography/ memoir of Harry Stewart Jr, one of their pilots. Though the first few chapters had a lot of named models of planes that probably delight airplane enthusiasts and were beyond my reference, the huge majority of the book was written for a non-specialist audience. I learned about the challenges of wanting to become a Black pilot when there were few, but the book wasn’t focused on racial trauma. Instead, this focused on advances and success (while still being clear that there were roadblocks and hardships). I love that the book follows the story of the Airmen and Black flying right up to its publication in 2019.
This was an unexpected find for me on Audible, and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes history in general, Black history in particular, flying, World War II, or memoirs.
This was an unexpected find for me on Audible, and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes history in general, Black history in particular, flying, World War II, or memoirs.
January 26, 2021
If you don't know anything about the Tuskegee Airman, or the civil rights of African Americans, (basically the lack of civil rights), during the early to mid 20th century, this is a good book to start with.
The book isn't like an essay, which some others on the subject of the Tuskegg Airman feel like. The book weaves Harry T. Stewart's story into the social attitudes of the time. This gives context to absurd issues encountered by people of colour and other minorities within the "Free World" of America.
It is clear, that like so many of his generation, Harry T. Stewart was a man of great fortitude and courage, who had the additional burden, having to fight for the right to fight for one country.
The book isn't like an essay, which some others on the subject of the Tuskegg Airman feel like. The book weaves Harry T. Stewart's story into the social attitudes of the time. This gives context to absurd issues encountered by people of colour and other minorities within the "Free World" of America.
It is clear, that like so many of his generation, Harry T. Stewart was a man of great fortitude and courage, who had the additional burden, having to fight for the right to fight for one country.
August 6, 2020
This is such a great read about an amazing group of Airmen! Loved it!
February 26, 2021
Enlightening and heartening historical account of the first black men to fly for America in the US Army during WWII. It should be required reading. Narrated well and with respect by Arthur Morey.
August 10, 2019
5/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: history, nonfiction, flying, WWII, WWII aviation, civil rights, Black History, biographies
This is a pretty quick read, but it's super informative about some of the big events that led to the Tuskegee Airmen units being formed and the subsequent desegregation of the Air Force in 1949. The book mainly focuses on Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., but it also includes chapters about other notable flying figures of the time, such as Bessie Coleman, Chauncey Spencer, and Dale White, all of whom broke barriers for African Americans in the flying community. The book follows Stewart from childhood through 2019, and includes background on his family as well. The majority of the book focuses on aviation, the developments of the time, Stewart's training, and the war. Of course, even with the focus on those things, Handleman couldn't simply write about Stewart and the other Tuskegee Airmen flying without also having to address racism in America. I think it's especially telling that, though we like to think of that past as far behind us, the Tuskegee Airmen weren't honored with national recognition--and a Congressional Gold Medal--until 2008, over a half-century after the end of the war. Handleman discusses the racism Stewart and his fellow airmen found when applying to be pilots, at the airbase, off the airbase, with other regiments overseas during the war, and in many, many cases after the war.
Most of what I know about WWII Aviation comes from the European side of things, so it was nice to get an American view of what training and wartime flying was like. I wasn't aware that cadets who hadn't finished high school had to go through college classes to bring up to 'college speed' they could officially become cadets. I especially liked Stewart's flying stories, his exuberance and exhilaration really jumped off the page when his flying and training is discussed. Likewise, I could also feel his fear and anxiety when it came to some of the high-risk moments of the book, such as fighting Luftwaffe pilots or stalling and getting lost in a serious storm. On-the-ground moments were infused with the same kind of energy, and even with knowing how history turned out, I still felt myself tensing during key moments. When I read things like this, it just sort of hits me that this wasn't really that long ago. We're not even a century past it, not even 75 years for some of the later stuff that happens in the book.
The formatting of the book was enjoyable too. We're introduced to Stewart from the get-go, and then are given background on his family and the struggles and decisions they faced to get them to where they were when Harry was born. This trend continues throughout the book, with chapters about Stewart interspersed with chapters about his family or a notable figure who paved the way or with whom he came into contact with. I think this format allows for a much richer and deeper exploration of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and black pilots in the US within the pages allotted for the book. I did know about Bessie Coleman, but all of the other pilots mentioned were names I didn't recognize, so I enjoyed getting an education, however brief, on these pilots. I was also delighted by the innocuous-at-the-time, but history-changing meetings that some of the figures had with one another. Chauncey and White, for instance, actually met and spoke Truman when he was a Congressman, leading to a conversation where he promised to end segregation...a promise he later followed through with when president. There are several occasions of meetings like this in the book, and I really am a sucker for surprise happenstance in history.
Despite the focus being on war-time flying, I did like the chapters on Stewart's life post-war. For the first four years after the war, the Tuskegee Airmen remained operational. During this time, they continued to fly training exercises, and even participated in the first Continental Air Gunnery Meet and won first place in the propeller division. Then, after desegregation of USAF and the subsequent disbanding of the Tuskegee units, we are showed the struggles of Stewart attempting to find a flying job and being turned down for being black, despite being a decorated war veteran. It was saddening to see Stewart set aside his flying dream for so long, but inspiring to see him bounce back from it in the early 21st century and begin flying once more, even offering joyrides to kids out of the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum outside Detroit.
I really enjoyed the way Handleman presented the information in this book, combining the story of Stewart's past with the intersection of other, notable figures who made a difference either in Stewart's life or within the Black community, as well as the straightforward method of handling the racism of the time and after. I think this book is an excellent read if you're looking to get an inside view of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as some of the obstacles and minds behind the units. The formatting of interspersing Stewart's chapters with those of other notable figures crossing his history allows for a deep view into the black flying community, the struggle to rise, and the struggles and success that come after.
Recommended for people who like: history, nonfiction, flying, WWII, WWII aviation, civil rights, Black History, biographies
This is a pretty quick read, but it's super informative about some of the big events that led to the Tuskegee Airmen units being formed and the subsequent desegregation of the Air Force in 1949. The book mainly focuses on Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., but it also includes chapters about other notable flying figures of the time, such as Bessie Coleman, Chauncey Spencer, and Dale White, all of whom broke barriers for African Americans in the flying community. The book follows Stewart from childhood through 2019, and includes background on his family as well. The majority of the book focuses on aviation, the developments of the time, Stewart's training, and the war. Of course, even with the focus on those things, Handleman couldn't simply write about Stewart and the other Tuskegee Airmen flying without also having to address racism in America. I think it's especially telling that, though we like to think of that past as far behind us, the Tuskegee Airmen weren't honored with national recognition--and a Congressional Gold Medal--until 2008, over a half-century after the end of the war. Handleman discusses the racism Stewart and his fellow airmen found when applying to be pilots, at the airbase, off the airbase, with other regiments overseas during the war, and in many, many cases after the war.
Most of what I know about WWII Aviation comes from the European side of things, so it was nice to get an American view of what training and wartime flying was like. I wasn't aware that cadets who hadn't finished high school had to go through college classes to bring up to 'college speed' they could officially become cadets. I especially liked Stewart's flying stories, his exuberance and exhilaration really jumped off the page when his flying and training is discussed. Likewise, I could also feel his fear and anxiety when it came to some of the high-risk moments of the book, such as fighting Luftwaffe pilots or stalling and getting lost in a serious storm. On-the-ground moments were infused with the same kind of energy, and even with knowing how history turned out, I still felt myself tensing during key moments. When I read things like this, it just sort of hits me that this wasn't really that long ago. We're not even a century past it, not even 75 years for some of the later stuff that happens in the book.
The formatting of the book was enjoyable too. We're introduced to Stewart from the get-go, and then are given background on his family and the struggles and decisions they faced to get them to where they were when Harry was born. This trend continues throughout the book, with chapters about Stewart interspersed with chapters about his family or a notable figure who paved the way or with whom he came into contact with. I think this format allows for a much richer and deeper exploration of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and black pilots in the US within the pages allotted for the book. I did know about Bessie Coleman, but all of the other pilots mentioned were names I didn't recognize, so I enjoyed getting an education, however brief, on these pilots. I was also delighted by the innocuous-at-the-time, but history-changing meetings that some of the figures had with one another. Chauncey and White, for instance, actually met and spoke Truman when he was a Congressman, leading to a conversation where he promised to end segregation...a promise he later followed through with when president. There are several occasions of meetings like this in the book, and I really am a sucker for surprise happenstance in history.
Despite the focus being on war-time flying, I did like the chapters on Stewart's life post-war. For the first four years after the war, the Tuskegee Airmen remained operational. During this time, they continued to fly training exercises, and even participated in the first Continental Air Gunnery Meet and won first place in the propeller division. Then, after desegregation of USAF and the subsequent disbanding of the Tuskegee units, we are showed the struggles of Stewart attempting to find a flying job and being turned down for being black, despite being a decorated war veteran. It was saddening to see Stewart set aside his flying dream for so long, but inspiring to see him bounce back from it in the early 21st century and begin flying once more, even offering joyrides to kids out of the Tuskegee Airmen National Museum outside Detroit.
I really enjoyed the way Handleman presented the information in this book, combining the story of Stewart's past with the intersection of other, notable figures who made a difference either in Stewart's life or within the Black community, as well as the straightforward method of handling the racism of the time and after. I think this book is an excellent read if you're looking to get an inside view of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as some of the obstacles and minds behind the units. The formatting of interspersing Stewart's chapters with those of other notable figures crossing his history allows for a deep view into the black flying community, the struggle to rise, and the struggles and success that come after.
January 19, 2020
The engine’s in-flight stopping served as a reminder that any mechanical device is subject to a failure rate of some proportion. For nothing that bears the human imprint is infallible.
“The flame that Harry and his fellow Tuskegee airmen kindled in the skies of long ago warms today’s weary hearts and serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.”
My experience with racial segregation in flight in World War II is a novel called Flygirl; I first heard of the Tuskegee airmen, sadly, in Night of the Museum 2. This book adds depth and perspective to many of the stories of the war. It also has surprising or humerus moments too, such as the encounter with Appalachian hillbillies!
“The flame that Harry and his fellow Tuskegee airmen kindled in the skies of long ago warms today’s weary hearts and serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.”
My experience with racial segregation in flight in World War II is a novel called Flygirl; I first heard of the Tuskegee airmen, sadly, in Night of the Museum 2. This book adds depth and perspective to many of the stories of the war. It also has surprising or humerus moments too, such as the encounter with Appalachian hillbillies!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2019
I got emotional toward the end of this book. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, the thousands of other Tuskegee Airmen, and the generations that paved the way for me and my children.
If you are feeling down about our country, read this book! (Or listen to the audiobook, like I did.) The patriotism and perseverance, in spite of mistreatment and disrespect, is inspiring.
If you are feeling down about our country, read this book! (Or listen to the audiobook, like I did.) The patriotism and perseverance, in spite of mistreatment and disrespect, is inspiring.
March 27, 2023
Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II by Philip Handleman and Harry T. Stewart is a memoir that I'm so glad I just happened to stumble upon at a thrift store. If you're at all interested in lesser known parts of history, particularly World War II and African-American history, this is a must read. The author sounds like a fascinating man who lived quite a life.
January 1, 2021
Excellent read and great history lesson on how a few very strong men help change the world and also changed the country and the US Armed Forces. It was great to see the tributes and the recognition the Tuskegee Airmen received after the fact, long overdue, the country did get it right in the long run to say thank you to this courageous bunch of aviators.
June 25, 2019
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a review.
++++++++++++++
This book tells the story of one of the Tuskegee Airmen, Harry T. Stewart, Jr. Raised in a humble home in New York, Harry was bitten by the flying bug at an early age and would often watch Pan Am Clippers fly from nearby LaGuardia Airport. When Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States found itself at war with Japan, and subsequently Germany, Harry was one of thousands of young African American men who wished to serve their country in the armed forces. Unfortunately, a policy of racial segregation was in effect at the time and this severely limited the opportunities for many of those who tried to enlist. Harry was one of the fortunate ones to earn a spot in the experimental flight training program being held near Tuskegee, Alabama.
Harry learned to fly on old biplanes at first, then the legendary AT-6 trainers before graduating in Class 44-F. Further flight time was earned in war-weary P-40 Warhawks and older model P-47 Thunderbolts before Harry was shipped overseas and joined the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy. I wish the book had more about Harry's service in the Group, but probably due to lack of combat action there's not much to tell. But he did see combat and was credited with three victories while flying the legendary P-51 Mustang. After the war, Harry remained in the Group as it switched to F-47s (due to a change in nomenclature, the P-47 became the F-47) and became a unit supplying support to ground forces. Along with others from his group, he participated in the first Air Force post-war gunnery competition, an ancestor of the Operation Red Flag exercises held in later years.
The book doesn't go into great detail about Harry's post-military career, but does highlight the growing acknowledgment of the Tuskegee Airmen in his later years. There is also quite a bit of history of the major figures in African American aviation and how they blazed a trail for the likes of Harry and his comrades later on.
The book is very well-written and didn't take me very long to finish. I wish it had a few more pictures, but it did have some from many of the more important parts of Harry's life and career. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about an aspect of the Civil Rights Movement which doesn't get the same amount of coverage as other events, as well as life in the segregated American armed forces. Harry Stewart is truly an inspirational figure and this book really proves that.
++++++++++
Many thanks to Regnery History for providing me with a copy of this book.
++++++++++++++
This book tells the story of one of the Tuskegee Airmen, Harry T. Stewart, Jr. Raised in a humble home in New York, Harry was bitten by the flying bug at an early age and would often watch Pan Am Clippers fly from nearby LaGuardia Airport. When Pearl Harbor was attacked and the United States found itself at war with Japan, and subsequently Germany, Harry was one of thousands of young African American men who wished to serve their country in the armed forces. Unfortunately, a policy of racial segregation was in effect at the time and this severely limited the opportunities for many of those who tried to enlist. Harry was one of the fortunate ones to earn a spot in the experimental flight training program being held near Tuskegee, Alabama.
Harry learned to fly on old biplanes at first, then the legendary AT-6 trainers before graduating in Class 44-F. Further flight time was earned in war-weary P-40 Warhawks and older model P-47 Thunderbolts before Harry was shipped overseas and joined the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy. I wish the book had more about Harry's service in the Group, but probably due to lack of combat action there's not much to tell. But he did see combat and was credited with three victories while flying the legendary P-51 Mustang. After the war, Harry remained in the Group as it switched to F-47s (due to a change in nomenclature, the P-47 became the F-47) and became a unit supplying support to ground forces. Along with others from his group, he participated in the first Air Force post-war gunnery competition, an ancestor of the Operation Red Flag exercises held in later years.
The book doesn't go into great detail about Harry's post-military career, but does highlight the growing acknowledgment of the Tuskegee Airmen in his later years. There is also quite a bit of history of the major figures in African American aviation and how they blazed a trail for the likes of Harry and his comrades later on.
The book is very well-written and didn't take me very long to finish. I wish it had a few more pictures, but it did have some from many of the more important parts of Harry's life and career. I definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about an aspect of the Civil Rights Movement which doesn't get the same amount of coverage as other events, as well as life in the segregated American armed forces. Harry Stewart is truly an inspirational figure and this book really proves that.
++++++++++
Many thanks to Regnery History for providing me with a copy of this book.
May 23, 2020
I got this book free from the publisher from seeing my reviews on other book reviews I have written about WWII books. My grandfather fought in the Normandy Invasion, I always felt it was a tribute to himself to read books about that time period when I get the chance felt he saw myself reading “D-Day” by Steven Ambrose when I was in high school.
I don’t wish to give the story away but the Tuskegee Airmen (442nd fighter group aka The Redtails) fought a war where the military didn’t want to put themselves in the front lines (they felt black pilots were inferior) & they had to fight racism everywhere else as the second story. American bomber groups in the 15th Air Force requested them because they were the best fighter escort group bombers could have flying into Germany.
I need say more more.
I don’t wish to give the story away but the Tuskegee Airmen (442nd fighter group aka The Redtails) fought a war where the military didn’t want to put themselves in the front lines (they felt black pilots were inferior) & they had to fight racism everywhere else as the second story. American bomber groups in the 15th Air Force requested them because they were the best fighter escort group bombers could have flying into Germany.
I need say more more.
February 12, 2024
I had the honor of hearing Lt Col Stewart speak at a Department of Labor event last year and I was truly in awe. It was like watching living history. It was such a great event that I ended up buying this, his book, which I definitely recommend to all. His story is incredible and inspiring, and the book itself is paced well and just the right length. Truly, the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is among the most important in American history.
June 13, 2020
This book is more than one man's account. From the history of black pilots, to army integration, to Harry Truman's role in both, plus the Tuskegee Airmen and Harry Stewart's life, this book covers so much!
February 18, 2021
I really appreciated this history. In school, we only briefly learned about the Tuskegee Airmen, so it was enlightening to learn about their triumphs and challenges before, during, and after WWII.
(ebook)
(ebook)
April 8, 2025
I truly believe that personal stories are one of the most powerful tools for changing minds and hearts. I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir and the opportunity to learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen and the history of Black aviation through Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart Jr.’s personal experiences. A well written, engaging, and informative memoir worth reading.
August 3, 2019
A great story about the Tuskegee Airmen and Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, USAF (retired) and his struggle for equal rights and respect in both World War II and the years that followed.
October 21, 2019
This is one of the best books I have read. It truly is a masterpiece. If you enjoy history, aviation, WW11, or biographies, you will love this book.
October 11, 2020
A must read for every American! Excellent book
November 9, 2024
What a disappointment! The story of Lt Col Stewart’s life is interesting, but that’s not what the book’s title tells you the book will be about. “Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman’s Firsthand Account of WWII” contained a grand total of 37 pages of WWII combat (p. 97-130), and very little of that was actually a first-hand account. The second half of the book is dedicated to recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen, certainly a worthy topic, but this is not the book for you if you truly want a firsthand account of WWII air combat, which is what I was looking for. I still have not read the definitive story of the Tuskegee Airmen but will continue looking
February 26, 2025
Harry T. Stewart Jr. is one of America’s most decorated Tuskegee Airmen. He was born on 4 July 1924, in Newport News, Virginia, near Langley AFB. At the age of two, Stewart’s family moved to Queens, New York, just a few minutes from North Beach Airport. His fascination for aviation began at a very young age as he watched in awe as the planes soared overhead. At the age of 17, and aware of his imminent conscription into World War II, he passed a military exam designated to identify potential pilots. As a result, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet.
After completing his flight training at Tuskegee Air Field, Alabama, and while still a teenager, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Stewart then accomplished combat fighter training in both the P-40 Warhawk and the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and in 1944 was sent to Italy for combat operations. As a member of the all-black 332d Fighter Group, Stewart flew 43 combat missions in the P-51 Mustang. On 1 April 1945, then First Lieutenant Harry T. Stewart Jr. was one of eight red-tailed P-51 pilots escorting B-24 Liberators tasked to bomb the St. Polten marshaling yard. The P-51s preceded the bombers and flew a fighter sweep of the Linz area in Austria. Flying at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the Mustang pilots spotted four German FW-190s near Wels flying in the same direction, but about 2,000 feet below. They dived to attack, but suddenly a flight of a dozen ME-109s appeared above them. A series of individual dogfights ensued, ranging from altitudes of 5,000 feet to the deck. Although the enemy pilots attempted to out-turn the more powerful P-51s and draw them over antiaircraft artillery, the Red Tails proved victorious and shot down 12 enemy aircraft, losing only three of their own. Stewart shot down three FW-190s that day, a feat that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In May 1949, Stewart competed in the inaugural ten-day “William Tell” National Gunnery meet at Las Vegas AFB (now Nellis AFB) in Nevada. This meet would later become the equivalent of the US Navy’s “Top Gun” competition. Stewart was part of a three-man team representing the 332d Composite Group. Each pilot was required to compete in five different events. The events included air-to-air gunnery at altitudes of 10,000 and 20,000 feet, rocket firing, strafing, dive-bombing, and skip-bombing. Three perfect scores were registered in the skip-bombing event and one perfect score in rocket firing. As a result, the 332d won first place in the conventional fighter class. But, unfortunately, the trophy was stored away and not found again until 1995. The 1950 trophy and Air Force historical records showed winners “Unknown” for the first year.
After completing his flight training at Tuskegee Air Field, Alabama, and while still a teenager, he was awarded his pilot wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Stewart then accomplished combat fighter training in both the P-40 Warhawk and the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, and in 1944 was sent to Italy for combat operations. As a member of the all-black 332d Fighter Group, Stewart flew 43 combat missions in the P-51 Mustang. On 1 April 1945, then First Lieutenant Harry T. Stewart Jr. was one of eight red-tailed P-51 pilots escorting B-24 Liberators tasked to bomb the St. Polten marshaling yard. The P-51s preceded the bombers and flew a fighter sweep of the Linz area in Austria. Flying at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the Mustang pilots spotted four German FW-190s near Wels flying in the same direction, but about 2,000 feet below. They dived to attack, but suddenly a flight of a dozen ME-109s appeared above them. A series of individual dogfights ensued, ranging from altitudes of 5,000 feet to the deck. Although the enemy pilots attempted to out-turn the more powerful P-51s and draw them over antiaircraft artillery, the Red Tails proved victorious and shot down 12 enemy aircraft, losing only three of their own. Stewart shot down three FW-190s that day, a feat that earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
In May 1949, Stewart competed in the inaugural ten-day “William Tell” National Gunnery meet at Las Vegas AFB (now Nellis AFB) in Nevada. This meet would later become the equivalent of the US Navy’s “Top Gun” competition. Stewart was part of a three-man team representing the 332d Composite Group. Each pilot was required to compete in five different events. The events included air-to-air gunnery at altitudes of 10,000 and 20,000 feet, rocket firing, strafing, dive-bombing, and skip-bombing. Three perfect scores were registered in the skip-bombing event and one perfect score in rocket firing. As a result, the 332d won first place in the conventional fighter class. But, unfortunately, the trophy was stored away and not found again until 1995. The 1950 trophy and Air Force historical records showed winners “Unknown” for the first year.
November 4, 2019
I was given a copy of Phillip Handleman's book Soaring to Glory a few weeks ago.It was the type of book that interest me so I started to read it. I was on page 100 before I stopped for the day. It was a fast, easily understood narrative about Harry Stewart, a Tuskegee Airman of WWII fame and the times and difficulties he had to undergo throughout his life and during the war.
I initially thought it would be totally about WWII but it turns out it is both a biography of Lt Col. Harry Stewart and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Handleman takes you from the very beginning of the Airmen to the present day company of the U.S. Air Force with the same unit I.D. It is detailed enough for the hard core history and airplane fans , yet simple enough for the average person like myself to understand without difficulty. Stewart is one of the last 12 of the Tuskegee Airmen still alive and Handleman and he weave a narrative of a man who lived the American Dream and is considered to be a heroic patriot of the country.
This book should be required reading in high school history classes because it not only tells about the war, It also tells about the history of segregation , the society of the times,and the attitude of politicians and the Army Air Force of the day. It is a very good read for those fans of WWII history or the human spirit of America. 4 stars out of 5 for this very fine book "Soaring To Glory".
I initially thought it would be totally about WWII but it turns out it is both a biography of Lt Col. Harry Stewart and the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Handleman takes you from the very beginning of the Airmen to the present day company of the U.S. Air Force with the same unit I.D. It is detailed enough for the hard core history and airplane fans , yet simple enough for the average person like myself to understand without difficulty. Stewart is one of the last 12 of the Tuskegee Airmen still alive and Handleman and he weave a narrative of a man who lived the American Dream and is considered to be a heroic patriot of the country.
This book should be required reading in high school history classes because it not only tells about the war, It also tells about the history of segregation , the society of the times,and the attitude of politicians and the Army Air Force of the day. It is a very good read for those fans of WWII history or the human spirit of America. 4 stars out of 5 for this very fine book "Soaring To Glory".
July 14, 2019
I won this book in a giveaway and enjoyed reading it. It's characterized by big motivational themes, like Colonel Stimson learning that "the strength and spirit of America was not confined to any group of class...my greatest lesson in American democracy," which are uplifting. My biggest complaint is that at times the author becomes excessively technical or dramatic -
Example: "It could be argued that the radial's blunt frontal cross-section precluded the dramatic streamlining seen in the competing fighter designs under consideration by the Army Air Corps in the 1930s. But in the view of de Seversky and his lead engineer Kartveli, the power of the radial engine more than compensated for its higher drag." What?
Example: "Powell surveyed the black veterans, gazing admiringly at them and taking in their faces slowly." I'm imagining the author watching a blurry YouTube video of the speech and coming up with this line. Another time the author compares a group of Tuskegee Airmen to "the old warriors celebrated in the stirring verses of Lord Tennyson's Ulysses." A little dramatic for me, but maybe others would appreciate it.
Still, overall an interesting read about a topic that was new to me!
Example: "It could be argued that the radial's blunt frontal cross-section precluded the dramatic streamlining seen in the competing fighter designs under consideration by the Army Air Corps in the 1930s. But in the view of de Seversky and his lead engineer Kartveli, the power of the radial engine more than compensated for its higher drag." What?
Example: "Powell surveyed the black veterans, gazing admiringly at them and taking in their faces slowly." I'm imagining the author watching a blurry YouTube video of the speech and coming up with this line. Another time the author compares a group of Tuskegee Airmen to "the old warriors celebrated in the stirring verses of Lord Tennyson's Ulysses." A little dramatic for me, but maybe others would appreciate it.
Still, overall an interesting read about a topic that was new to me!
August 26, 2020
Soaring to Glory offers a good overview of the history of black Americans that aspired to fly. The book begins by recapping the important early black American pioneers, such as Bessie Coleman, Chauncey Spencer, Cornelius Coffee and others. That history eventually catches up with a young Harry Stewart in Queens NY. Leaving High School at 17 when he learns of the Army Air Corps all black flying units his journey begins. Harry's skill as a pilot is tested in combat with the 332nd Fighter Group flying P-51 Mustangs on bomber escort missions. The story continues to cover Harry's life after the war and the many challenges he, and his fellow airmen confronted as they continued to fight to be viewed as equals in American society. The surviving Airmen finally have their moment of recognition in a moving ceremony hosted by the President, GEN Colin Powell, and leaders of Congress in 2007.
The history of the Tuskegee Airmen is a important Chapter in the fight for justice and racial equality in American history, and the life and achievements of men like Harry Stewart exemplify the world of the possible when equal access to opportunities are provided based on content of character and God given talents.
The history of the Tuskegee Airmen is a important Chapter in the fight for justice and racial equality in American history, and the life and achievements of men like Harry Stewart exemplify the world of the possible when equal access to opportunities are provided based on content of character and God given talents.
February 5, 2021
Glad to learn more about these impressive men - flight was (and is) so dangerous, and these men braved that, as well as facing discriminations, blatant racism, disbelief in their deeds, bad treatment at home and more and more. They found ways to get what the wanted and needed, always pushed forward.
This book was 3 stars for me, as I enjoyed the information on the pilots early years, but wanted more war front life details. I felt the post war talk was interesting, but could have been told in fewer pages.
It also didn't feel like a "Firsthand Account" as Harry didn't share many feelings. It could have been research from his diary and been as personal. There could have been more quotes from present day Harry to give it more of an autobiography feel. Instead, it was more of a researched book following several Tuskegee Airmen. Good, but not as personal to Harry as it maybe could have been.
This book was 3 stars for me, as I enjoyed the information on the pilots early years, but wanted more war front life details. I felt the post war talk was interesting, but could have been told in fewer pages.
It also didn't feel like a "Firsthand Account" as Harry didn't share many feelings. It could have been research from his diary and been as personal. There could have been more quotes from present day Harry to give it more of an autobiography feel. Instead, it was more of a researched book following several Tuskegee Airmen. Good, but not as personal to Harry as it maybe could have been.
December 27, 2022
Hardly a “first hand account”, but instead a very vague, basic history of segregation in the Air Force and the African American pilots that pioneered through prejudice attitudes and secured their respect in the sky. Anything relevant to Harry Stewart is minuscule within this book that has tendencies to randomly drift off topic into nonsense about aircraft history or Harry Truman; in short, NOTHING to do with Harry Stewart. A huge disappointment, as this Pilot sounds like a very fascinating witness to the Second World War, but his story is unfortunately bungled at the hands of a poor writer who could not get together enough material for a full book, and carelessly used page filling motives. I was just hoping for a real first hand account as the book cover advertises from Harry Stewart, but that is not what is inside: major mismarketed work.
May 6, 2025
This is the life story of Harry Stewart Jr, one of the original Tuskegee pilots of WWII. His prowess as a pilot and gunner are all the more exceptional considering he fudged the physical exam and passed despite having a leg affected by polio and a heart murmur, which normally would have disqualified him. He was also a high school dropout.
Despite his merits as a military pilot, no commercial airline would hire him after the war because he was black. He went on to a successful career in engineering and went to college. At the end of his life, he helped the Tuskegee airmen establish a national museum, win a national medal for their service, and flew again after retiring.
Despite his merits as a military pilot, no commercial airline would hire him after the war because he was black. He went on to a successful career in engineering and went to college. At the end of his life, he helped the Tuskegee airmen establish a national museum, win a national medal for their service, and flew again after retiring.
September 2, 2024
This was pretty disappointing as the book is about 260 pages or so and the first chapter or 30 pages was based on some history of aviation of African Americans, then the next chapter was on his father moving from the South to NYC. Then it went into his experience and finished up with a good portion for remembering and preserving the Tuskegee Airman. There just wasn't enough story of "Firsthand Account of WWII." It was also poorly written and bad references. He referenced s0meone not seeing the promised land like Moses? Come on. There are just other books out there that are much better.
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