What do you think?
Rate this book
When Heroes Flew #3
The Roof of the World
A legendary WWII airlift mission cuts through the snaggletoothed Himalaya Mountains, where both the terrain and weather prove uncommonly savage. And American airmen leave a trail of blood and mangled aircraft across northern Burma.
“I would rather fly a fighter against the Japs three times a day than a transport over the Hump once.”
Aviator Major Rod Shepherd, a C-46 pilot and Army Air Forces weather officer, flings his aircraft into the tumultuous skies to fly critical missions over the Hump. He braves not only the extreme—even impossible—flying conditions, but commanders who believe weather support is useless and a flight nurse who, for reasons unknown to Rod, dislikes him intensely.
Rod risks incredible danger with every flight. But when a mission of grave importance is imperiled at high altitude, Rod faces an unthinkable dilemma.
Former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard sweeps readers into some of the most dangerous flying of WWII in The Roof of the World, winner of the Nancy Pearl Book Award and recipient of the 2023 MWSA Gold Medal. Join Major Rod Shepherd in the cockpit to experience history firsthand.
________________________
Praise for THE ROOF OF THE
"Imagine flying a route so dangerous, so littered with aircraft wreckage, that crews called it the Aluminum Trail. Such was the heroism of the aviators who crossed the Hump—the Himalayas—during World War II. Yet their sacrifices remain one of the lesser known corners of World War II history. Buzz Bernard's gripping novel brings their story to light with stark detail and white-knuckle authenticity." —Tom Young, author of Silver Wings, Iron Cross and Red Burning Sky
"A turbulent and harrowing thriller...at once a fast paced, genre bending historical war novel mixing elements of action/adventure with romance during WWII in the China/Burma India theater. Readers will appreciate Major Shepherd’s dark humor, especially as they learn why he’s both cynical and sensitive, a complex character we can root for. An enlightening and entertaining read. —Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of The Flying Cutterbucks, a 2021 WILLA Literary Award Finalist in Contemporary Fiction
________________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "...incredible..."★★★★★ "...Excellent read!"★★★★★ "I just can't get enough of these stories..."★★★★★ "...packed with excitement and suspense...and a surprise ending..."★★★★★ "...flying scenes in this story were so real I swear I was sitting next to Rod on every transit..."
“I would rather fly a fighter against the Japs three times a day than a transport over the Hump once.”
Aviator Major Rod Shepherd, a C-46 pilot and Army Air Forces weather officer, flings his aircraft into the tumultuous skies to fly critical missions over the Hump. He braves not only the extreme—even impossible—flying conditions, but commanders who believe weather support is useless and a flight nurse who, for reasons unknown to Rod, dislikes him intensely.
Rod risks incredible danger with every flight. But when a mission of grave importance is imperiled at high altitude, Rod faces an unthinkable dilemma.
Former Air Force officer H.W. "Buzz" Bernard sweeps readers into some of the most dangerous flying of WWII in The Roof of the World, winner of the Nancy Pearl Book Award and recipient of the 2023 MWSA Gold Medal. Join Major Rod Shepherd in the cockpit to experience history firsthand.
________________________
Praise for THE ROOF OF THE
"Imagine flying a route so dangerous, so littered with aircraft wreckage, that crews called it the Aluminum Trail. Such was the heroism of the aviators who crossed the Hump—the Himalayas—during World War II. Yet their sacrifices remain one of the lesser known corners of World War II history. Buzz Bernard's gripping novel brings their story to light with stark detail and white-knuckle authenticity." —Tom Young, author of Silver Wings, Iron Cross and Red Burning Sky
"A turbulent and harrowing thriller...at once a fast paced, genre bending historical war novel mixing elements of action/adventure with romance during WWII in the China/Burma India theater. Readers will appreciate Major Shepherd’s dark humor, especially as they learn why he’s both cynical and sensitive, a complex character we can root for. An enlightening and entertaining read. —Kathleen M. Rodgers, author of The Flying Cutterbucks, a 2021 WILLA Literary Award Finalist in Contemporary Fiction
________________________
What readers are
★★★★★ "...incredible..."★★★★★ "...Excellent read!"★★★★★ "I just can't get enough of these stories..."★★★★★ "...packed with excitement and suspense...and a surprise ending..."★★★★★ "...flying scenes in this story were so real I swear I was sitting next to Rod on every transit..."
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2022
1396 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard
16 books99 followersH. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a bestselling, award-winning novelist.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
His debut novel, EYEWALL, published in 2011, became a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s Kindle Store.
Three of his next four novels won Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition (EPIC) eBook awards in the suspense/thriller category.
In 2020, with the publication of WHEN HEROES FLEW, Buzz switched from writing suspense/thriller novels to WWII historical fiction and began a new series. The first three novels in the series were awarded Gold Medals by the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Buzz himself was honored with the MWSA’s highest accolade in 2023, the Founder’s Award.
WHEN HEROES FLEW: THE ROOF OF THE WORLD, the third book in the series, in addition to garnering an MWSA Gold Medal, won the 2023 Nancy Pearl Book Award for genre fiction. The award is sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association.
Buzz is currently working on his fifth WWII historical fiction book.
Before becoming a novelist, Buzz worked at The Weather Channel as a senior meteorologist for thirteen years. Prior to that, he served as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force for over three decades. He attained the rank of colonel and received, among other awards, the Legion of Merit.
Buzz is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association as well as a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Willamette Writers, the Military Writers Society of America, International Thriller Writers, and the Atlanta Writers Club.
Although a native Oregonian, Buzz lived for 35 years in Atlanta, and now resides in Kennewick, Washington, with his wife Barbara and their fuzzy Shih Tzu, Stormy . . . who doesn’t live up to his name.
Buzz’s website can be found at www.buzzbernard.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 2, 2022
“So, we got Japs, headhunters, and plane-eating mountains lying in wait for us? Anything else I need to know?” asks Major Rod Shepherd with the Tenth Weather Squadron. From that moment, we know it’s going to be a bumpy ride through Bernard’s The Roof of the World. Of course, we also know, having met ice-in-her-veins Captain Johannsen, that she and Shepherd will come head to head and face to face on their missions. Set in the China-Burma-India theater and the treacherous “hump,” the story delivers to fans of lesser known tales of World War II, like me. I eagerly turned the pages.
Now a finalist for the Military Writers Society of America’s 2022 Awards. Begging for a fourth volume in the series!
Now a finalist for the Military Writers Society of America’s 2022 Awards. Begging for a fourth volume in the series!
October 7, 2023
Finally a book about transport pilots! This rare book highlights the role of transport pilots in keeping the lines of communication open between India and China. It describes vividly and evocatively the extreme risks and exotic environment of this largely forgotten theatre of war.
The main character is a complex and well-developed character with utterly understandable and so forgivable weaknesses. He is by far the best of Buzz Bernard's heroes in this series.
However, as with his earlier books in the series, Bernard chooses to use first-person narrative throughout, narrowing the "camera angle" and denying the reader greater perspective. This severely detracts from the development of the female protagonist. Although Captain Johansen is much more believable and complex than the women in the first two books in the series, she remains rather wooden and incomplete because we never get inside her head.
The book also changed pace halfway through, shifting from an engaging story of flying the hump to a fast-paced adventure in the jungle that included every possible kind of encounter from cobras and tigers to head-hunters and Japanese. I preferred the first half, but presume the second half is what attracts so many readers hungry for the later kind of boys' adventure tale.
The main character is a complex and well-developed character with utterly understandable and so forgivable weaknesses. He is by far the best of Buzz Bernard's heroes in this series.
However, as with his earlier books in the series, Bernard chooses to use first-person narrative throughout, narrowing the "camera angle" and denying the reader greater perspective. This severely detracts from the development of the female protagonist. Although Captain Johansen is much more believable and complex than the women in the first two books in the series, she remains rather wooden and incomplete because we never get inside her head.
The book also changed pace halfway through, shifting from an engaging story of flying the hump to a fast-paced adventure in the jungle that included every possible kind of encounter from cobras and tigers to head-hunters and Japanese. I preferred the first half, but presume the second half is what attracts so many readers hungry for the later kind of boys' adventure tale.
Read
February 15, 2023MWSA Review
When Heroes Flew: The Roof of the World by H. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a fictional account of the brave pilots in WWII who flew “The Hump” in Burma. The dangerous airlift mission cut through the unforgiving Himalaya Mountain terrain in harsh, unpredictable weather. Pilots who flew in the China/Burma/India theater of operations have often gone unrecognized. Imagine the bravery of these flyers knowing there was so much blood and mangled aircraft strewn across northern Burma that it was referred to as the “Aluminum Trail.”
One aviator was heard to say, “I would rather fly a fighter against the Japs three times a day than a transport over the Hump once.”
Aviator Major Rod Shepherd, a C-46 aviator and Army Air Forces weather officer, pilots his aircraft into the unpredictable skies to fly critical missions over the Hump time after time. He braves not only the extreme—even impossible—flying conditions but commanders who believe weather support is useless and unnecessary. He fears for himself but even more for the less experienced pilots coming into the base.
Early on, Rod encounters a beautiful, frosty flight nurse who seems to dislike him intensely. Each subsequent encounter with “Nurse Nasty” is fraught with verbal barbs and sarcasm. Rod goes out of his way to avoid her until they have a flight mission together. The rest is a harrowing, life-altering adventure.
On the edge of my seat during gripping scenes in the story, I could appreciate and enjoy Major Rod Shepherd’s cynicism and dark humor.
Author Buzz Bernard has done a magnificent job of verbally painting a picture of what it’s like in the cockpit of a C-46 flying over the snaggle-toothed Himalayan mountain range. Fasten your seatbelts, folks. You are in for the ride of your life.
Review by Nancy Panko (February 2023)
When Heroes Flew: The Roof of the World by H. W. “Buzz” Bernard is a fictional account of the brave pilots in WWII who flew “The Hump” in Burma. The dangerous airlift mission cut through the unforgiving Himalaya Mountain terrain in harsh, unpredictable weather. Pilots who flew in the China/Burma/India theater of operations have often gone unrecognized. Imagine the bravery of these flyers knowing there was so much blood and mangled aircraft strewn across northern Burma that it was referred to as the “Aluminum Trail.”
One aviator was heard to say, “I would rather fly a fighter against the Japs three times a day than a transport over the Hump once.”
Aviator Major Rod Shepherd, a C-46 aviator and Army Air Forces weather officer, pilots his aircraft into the unpredictable skies to fly critical missions over the Hump time after time. He braves not only the extreme—even impossible—flying conditions but commanders who believe weather support is useless and unnecessary. He fears for himself but even more for the less experienced pilots coming into the base.
Early on, Rod encounters a beautiful, frosty flight nurse who seems to dislike him intensely. Each subsequent encounter with “Nurse Nasty” is fraught with verbal barbs and sarcasm. Rod goes out of his way to avoid her until they have a flight mission together. The rest is a harrowing, life-altering adventure.
On the edge of my seat during gripping scenes in the story, I could appreciate and enjoy Major Rod Shepherd’s cynicism and dark humor.
Author Buzz Bernard has done a magnificent job of verbally painting a picture of what it’s like in the cockpit of a C-46 flying over the snaggle-toothed Himalayan mountain range. Fasten your seatbelts, folks. You are in for the ride of your life.
Review by Nancy Panko (February 2023)
April 20, 2022
Buzz Bernard’s When Heroes Flew is one of those series that everything else takes a back seat until I’ve devoured the latest installment. If you enjoy military stories that make you feel like you are there, grab a copy of When Heroes Flew: The Roof of the World, you won’t be disappointed. The flying scenes in this story were so real I swear I was sitting next to Rod on every transit of the Hump. Once again Buzz provides an honest picture of military life and a fair representation of the types that make up that life through his characters – some like Rod and Eve are easy to identify with as well as like, then there are those hard-nosed types as well as the brown-nose types that are found in any unit. I’m not sure what Buzz has instore for his readers next, but if past is prologue, it will be awesome, I’m sure. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
June 1, 2022
Hooray for these fly-boys!
A fast-paced, well written, and most informative story of the courageous men who were tasked to fly transport planes over, perhaps, the most dangerous air corridor in the world ... the Himalayas. The characters are richly portrayed, the story-line rings true relative to the particular slice of WWII that was being portrayed, and the story, itself, was .. well .. a treasure.
Action, adventure, suspense, humor, love and loss, all come together to bring the reader a wonderful book ... a book that speaks to the courage and sacrifice of airmen who undertook missions so perilous, so fraught with danger, that a great many of them perished trying to do the near impossible.
A fast-paced, well written, and most informative story of the courageous men who were tasked to fly transport planes over, perhaps, the most dangerous air corridor in the world ... the Himalayas. The characters are richly portrayed, the story-line rings true relative to the particular slice of WWII that was being portrayed, and the story, itself, was .. well .. a treasure.
Action, adventure, suspense, humor, love and loss, all come together to bring the reader a wonderful book ... a book that speaks to the courage and sacrifice of airmen who undertook missions so perilous, so fraught with danger, that a great many of them perished trying to do the near impossible.
September 14, 2022
Not Normally a Novel/Fiction
I started the read only because my uncle J. Robert was an instructor pilot (IP) early in WWII, prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and later flew the Hump in the CBI Theater. I almost closed the book. Anyhow, after struggling a few more chapters, I found it to be an interesting read. I'm glad I gave it a chance. Not sure Uncle Bob would agree, but it was a very good read, and a bit of a tear jerker, but worth a fictional ending. I had the honor of flying with Uncle Bob, who passed away at 103 last year. The pilots who flew the Hump were heroes (with no weapons, terrible weather conditions and lacking modern navigation). Thank you!
I started the read only because my uncle J. Robert was an instructor pilot (IP) early in WWII, prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and later flew the Hump in the CBI Theater. I almost closed the book. Anyhow, after struggling a few more chapters, I found it to be an interesting read. I'm glad I gave it a chance. Not sure Uncle Bob would agree, but it was a very good read, and a bit of a tear jerker, but worth a fictional ending. I had the honor of flying with Uncle Bob, who passed away at 103 last year. The pilots who flew the Hump were heroes (with no weapons, terrible weather conditions and lacking modern navigation). Thank you!
May 24, 2022
I was given an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This book is an excellent book in this series from this author. It is historical fiction but, his research into the history I believe to be second to none. Like the other books in this series it is a stand alone story. The characters whether real or fictional are all great. I look forward to reading his next book in this series and highly recommend them all.
February 20, 2023
An exciting surprise.
How exciting can a book about flying transport planes be? From the beginning Buzz Bernard keeps the reader fully engaged as the story follows the desperate situation and risks of flying "the Hump" in impossible conditions during the second world war. Pilots with instrument ratings will find the book particularly unnerving. Great story telling and one not to.be missed.
How exciting can a book about flying transport planes be? From the beginning Buzz Bernard keeps the reader fully engaged as the story follows the desperate situation and risks of flying "the Hump" in impossible conditions during the second world war. Pilots with instrument ratings will find the book particularly unnerving. Great story telling and one not to.be missed.
May 25, 2022
A pretty decent plot all the way thru and very easy to follow. A lot of historical research went into the writing and the scenery descriptions. It really puts the reader in the moment and at the location. Good character introductions without a lot of useless backstories. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 15, 2022
flying to China
This story begins in India, describes flights over the Himalayas to China, along with the pilot and the nurse being helped by headhunters in the jungle. The story describes a whole segment of WWII based in India, Nepal and China. It’s a fast moving page turner. You will not be disappointed.
This story begins in India, describes flights over the Himalayas to China, along with the pilot and the nurse being helped by headhunters in the jungle. The story describes a whole segment of WWII based in India, Nepal and China. It’s a fast moving page turner. You will not be disappointed.
July 14, 2022
Three point landing
Mr. Bernard’s take about flying over the roof of the world is an excellent read covering the actual trials of dealing with a war that’s entangled with complexities involving the weather and the dangers of personality conflicts .
The sparks between his protagonists were inevitable but ended up in unexpected territory.
A very good read.
Mr. Bernard’s take about flying over the roof of the world is an excellent read covering the actual trials of dealing with a war that’s entangled with complexities involving the weather and the dangers of personality conflicts .
The sparks between his protagonists were inevitable but ended up in unexpected territory.
A very good read.
June 20, 2023
A Super Read
Full of action, suspense, excitement, horror, romance and death, this is one of the best WW2 novels I have read. Buzz puts you right in the middle and paints a minds eye picture so real that you feel every moment. With a bit of a tear jerker ending, keep reading and don’t give up. On to the next one.
Full of action, suspense, excitement, horror, romance and death, this is one of the best WW2 novels I have read. Buzz puts you right in the middle and paints a minds eye picture so real that you feel every moment. With a bit of a tear jerker ending, keep reading and don’t give up. On to the next one.
April 22, 2025
Eye Opening
I had not read anything about the brave pilots that flew "The Hump" during WW2 until this book. I just have to say it is well worth the read. The danger they faced and the many lives lost with little taught or recollection in history is a grave oversight of historians. Thank goodness for H.W."Buzz" Bernard for bringing them to life!
I had not read anything about the brave pilots that flew "The Hump" during WW2 until this book. I just have to say it is well worth the read. The danger they faced and the many lives lost with little taught or recollection in history is a grave oversight of historians. Thank goodness for H.W."Buzz" Bernard for bringing them to life!
June 6, 2022
A great read.......
A great read Buzz and novel provided facts of information about a part of WW II that very little has been written about. Thanks for the surprise ending which I did not see in the making, as it looked as if life was going to end on in a dark shadow.
A great read Buzz and novel provided facts of information about a part of WW II that very little has been written about. Thanks for the surprise ending which I did not see in the making, as it looked as if life was going to end on in a dark shadow.
December 18, 2022
This book is a must read!
I did not realize that the US was flying cargo over the Himalaya mountains during WW2. The author entertained me to the end. I even cried at the end of the book.
I did not realize that the US was flying cargo over the Himalaya mountains during WW2. The author entertained me to the end. I even cried at the end of the book.
February 21, 2023
A pilots life over the hump
This book covers the life of a pilot who is also a meteorologist during WWII while flying over the hump of the Hymilain mountains. The job is to take supplies from India to China in a transport plane and survive the horrendous weather.
This book covers the life of a pilot who is also a meteorologist during WWII while flying over the hump of the Hymilain mountains. The job is to take supplies from India to China in a transport plane and survive the horrendous weather.
August 16, 2023
when heroes flew
This was a very exciting book filled with adventure. It covered a very important part of WWII. However the cliffhanger chances overcome by the hero strain my culpability.
This was a very exciting book filled with adventure. It covered a very important part of WWII. However the cliffhanger chances overcome by the hero strain my culpability.
February 27, 2024
Good to the very last drop!
Keeps you engaged; as you gain more respect and admiration for the might warriors of WW 2, May their sacrifices not go unrewarded in the current state of affairs.
Keeps you engaged; as you gain more respect and admiration for the might warriors of WW 2, May their sacrifices not go unrewarded in the current state of affairs.
July 23, 2024
wonderful
This for me was a truly “can’t put it down novel.” Adventure, drama, romance it had it all. But above all, it displayed the patriotism and bravery of those who served in WWII.
This for me was a truly “can’t put it down novel.” Adventure, drama, romance it had it all. But above all, it displayed the patriotism and bravery of those who served in WWII.
January 11, 2026
Informative and exciting
Very exciting flying stories with some really scary situations. Great ending, would like to see the story continued. I’m looking forward to more of the books in this series.
Very exciting flying stories with some really scary situations. Great ending, would like to see the story continued. I’m looking forward to more of the books in this series.
May 8, 2022
All I can say - where’s the sequel
June 6, 2022
war is hell
Another well researched and well written book in this series. The dangers of war, the internal military bureaucracy and love.
Another well researched and well written book in this series. The dangers of war, the internal military bureaucracy and love.
July 4, 2022
Great
Another Great Book in the When Heroes Flew Series. Hard to put down and well written. I cannot wait for the next Book to come out.
Another Great Book in the When Heroes Flew Series. Hard to put down and well written. I cannot wait for the next Book to come out.
July 29, 2022
Don’t want to give anything away
Good book. Don’t want to give anything away so that’s all I can say. Even though it is book 3 in a series, it stands alone as a moving story.
Good book. Don’t want to give anything away so that’s all I can say. Even though it is book 3 in a series, it stands alone as a moving story.
August 8, 2022
Exceptional
Buzz is a great story teller. This is the second book of his I have read. I plan to read all of his.
Buzz is a great story teller. This is the second book of his I have read. I plan to read all of his.
August 10, 2022
A World War Two story
A interesting and enjoyable read involving one of the lessor previously describe action of any other books I have read.
A interesting and enjoyable read involving one of the lessor previously describe action of any other books I have read.
October 13, 2022
Wwii Burma
Men doing the impossible daily. Many die doing it. Somehow love squirms in among all the leeches and mosquitos injuries and beheadings. Unusually...a happy ending.
Men doing the impossible daily. Many die doing it. Somehow love squirms in among all the leeches and mosquitos injuries and beheadings. Unusually...a happy ending.
January 25, 2023
Another great story by Buzz!
August 23, 2023
Surprise ending
Book is a good read. I enjoyed The book And especially The ending. There was some Intense parts Of the book That made you wonder how it was going to end.
Book is a good read. I enjoyed The book And especially The ending. There was some Intense parts Of the book That made you wonder how it was going to end.
September 26, 2023
I enjoy Buzz Bernard's WWII historical fictions. This was another good one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews