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101 Chuck YEAGER-isms: Wit & Wisdom from America's Hero

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by NY Times #1 best-selling author (over 1.2 million books), original badass, Right Stuff, fighter ace, test pilot, a pilot’s pilot, a man’s man, a woman’s Chuck Yeager, & his favorite wingman, Victoria. Even Top Gun//Maverick pays homage to Chuck Yeager!
2022 75th Oct 14, 1947; Chuck Yeager risked his life to break the sound barrier opening up space. Many are inspired by his wit & wisdom that got him through poverty in the hollers of West Virginia, helped him escape the Gestapo & become a fighter ace & hero in World War II & made him the greatest pilot who ever lived.
Philip Kaufman, director The Right Stuff: Chuck Yeager was the Ace of Aces. He challenged the demons that lived in the air & was the first to poke a hole in the sky. The heavens were his battleground, but he was also the most down-to-earth guy you could ever meet. He was a steely-eyed straight shooter who didn't mince words or suffer fools when it came to getting the job done right. He was also a twinkly-eyed, fun-loving guy who truly understood what the Pursuit of Happiness was all about. Thanks to Victoria, we now have this book of his wit and wisdom to remind us that he is still up there somewhere, doing what he always did.
Gerald McRaney, actor, NCIS-LA: When I met General Yeager & Victoria. I will admit to having been more than a little awestruck at meeting a genuine childhood hero. Truth be told, I still am. Since then, I have been honoured to call them friends. Almost everyone knows something about the exploits of the greatest aviator of them all. A few of us got to know the humour of this great man. This book will let those not lucky enough to have known him to get a glimpse at the wit and wisdom of the man from West Virginia who changed the world through his work and made it a better place just by being in it. Meet my friend Chuck Yeager.
Rabbi David Wolpe (Newsweek's top rabbi in America): Here it the wit, wisdom & astonishing courage of a great American hero. As he Everyone’s got a job to do, son. He did his, superlatively well, & Victoria tells us about it in the pilot’s own words. Read it, learn & be inspired.
Gen. Charlie Duke, USAF (ret.), Lunar Module Pilot, Apollo 16, astronaut: I served under Col Yeager’s command as a USAF test pilot school student & staff member. He was a demanding but fair boss whom I deeply respected & admired. Gen Yeager, my mentor, comes alive in these pages of great wisdom & humor from vast experience,
Joe Bonsall/Oak Ridge Boys (17 #1 hits): This book brought tears & joy as it elicited so many great memories. We so loved this man. Thank you, Chuck Yeager, for enriching our lives. You, Sir, represent the BEST of ALL of us!
Barbara Eden, I first met Colonel Yeager when we filmed ‘I Dream of Jeanie’ at Edwards AFB. His charm, wit, & sense of fun come through beautifully in this book.
Col. Pat Duffy USAF (ret.), Test Pilot & IP w/ Gen Yeager in F-15, F-16, I was blessed as an AF Fighter Pilot & Test Pilot to have known & flown with Gen Yeager in a variety of aircraft over many years. His witty & insightful comments conveyed a mix of humor, candor/directness & experience that this book captures incredibly well & brings to life. I see my role model, mentor & friend in these pages & know you'll enjoy getting to know him a little better as you read these great stories, too!
Capt. Julie E.

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2022

8 people are currently reading
20 people want to read

About the author

Chuck Yeager

18 books28 followers
Brigadier General Charles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager, USAF.

Veteran of WWII and the Vietnam War. Achieved "ace" status during WWII, and post-war became the first pilot to break the sound barrier.

His decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Philip.
1,775 reviews114 followers
January 7, 2024
"You fly the cockpit; the rest of the plane comes with you."

"If you want to test a person's character, give them a little bit of authority."

"In the end, there are only excuses or results."

"Find out what you like to do (for a living) and make your lifestyle fit your income, not the other way around."

"Any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. Any landing where you can use the plane the next day is an excellent landing."
Nice - if not particularly revelatory - collection of quotes on everything from flying to aging to growing up "in the holler" to…well, just life in general. In particular, I really enjoyed Yeager's no-BS practicality. Example: having punched out of three planes (and gotten seriously injured each time), his attitude towards people who skydived for fun was "why would you jump out of a perfectly good airplane?" That's always been my take as well - I enjoy hiking and trekking for where it can take me and the views I can enjoy along the way, but all things being equal, I'll always take the easiest route - I'd never rock climb up a dangerous cliff face if I could just drive to the top from the other side :)

I also enjoyed and could particularly relate to some of his later-year quotes:
"I'm not old enough to play golf, and I never will be."

"The Lord only made so many perfect heads; the rest he covered with hair."

"Now it takes me all night to do what I used to do all night."
WEIRD NOTE: I bought this book online, and it came autographed "To Bart, Victoria Yeager." Which was a nice surprise - except that the last online book that came autographed was Dervla Murphy's Where the Indus is Young: A Winter in Baltistan, which came inscribed "Happy Birthday to Bart - Dervla Murphy." Is this just a wild coincidence, or is someone out there scribbling "To Bart" inscriptions all over the place? Handwriting was definitely different - but I gotta say, if I get a third one I will be seriously suspicious...
2 reviews
December 5, 2022
Wonderful book of quotations and stories of America's Hero, badass, first man to fly faster than the speed of sound. You'll find very clever humor, and great wisdom and enjoy every moment of reading this book.
Profile Image for Lyn Yanez.
4 reviews
December 5, 2022
Super motivating and practical wisdom. Oh, and the wit is acerbic and delightful! 👍👍👍🇺🇸
Profile Image for Karol Ladd.
1 review15 followers
December 6, 2022
Great quotes from a great American. This book not only tells the story of General Yeager but also provide memorable take-away quotes to inspire and encourage the reader. The pictures throughout the book provide are an added extra that you don’t find in many books. This is an uplifting book that should be on every one’s list.
510 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2023
I read Chuck Yeager's autobiography many years ago and found it fascinating. Ever since I have made sure he is included in my U.S. History high school courses every year. I found this book at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Wyoming. I highly recommend that Museum. The Museum is a destination in itself for everyone who appreciates U.S. History and the military that protects us in this nasty world of evil dictators. The book is a quick funny read and a good reminder of the real Chuck Yeager. It is refreshing to have someone like him, or in this case a reminder, in this politically correct woke world that is anti-American, even inside our own country and inside our modern military. Hopefully we can make a successful comeback like in the post, when our nation experiences threatening reverses in the next war which we are certainly not ready for. It will take a new generation of Chuck Yeagers to save us from our current follies.
Profile Image for Military Writers Society of America (MWSA).
805 reviews73 followers
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February 6, 2023
MWSA Review

The real General Chuck Yeager is more deeply revealed in, 101 Chuck Yeager-isms, compiled and written by Victoria Yeager, his wife and companion for more than twenty years. The “Right Stuff” American hero’s wit and wisdom is shown through his brief retorts commenting on everything from the abilities of a wingman: “An arrogant pilot will get ya killed; confident ones make history,” to life’s secrets: “You don’t have to be good to be a legend, all you gotta do is live.” Added value for readers are the many excellent photos: color and B & W. Further, an index makes 101 Chuck Yeager-isms a keeper for future references as a personal reminder to some of life's secrets espoused by an American favorite.

Review by Tom Beard (January 2023)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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