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The Look of Eagles
Vintage paperback
- GenresBiography
Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 3, 2023
This is a poignant story about a man who led a remarkable life in both war and peace.
In October 1956, John Godfrey had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -- aka "Lou Gehrig Disease" in recognition of the great New York Yankee slugger and first baseman who had been afflicted with this muscle wasting disease, which forced him to end his career; two years later, he was dead from ALS, age 38. Godfrey was in his mid-30s, married with 2 sons and living a full, contented life as a businessman in Maine. (Besides being a businessman, Godfrey had also been elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1952, serving 1 term.)
Godfrey shares with the reader what proved to be the beginning of a long, futile struggle to live with ALS, whilst seeking treatments that offered any containment of the disease or relief from it. He died in June 1958, age 36.
Godfrey, with the help of General Thomas D. White, who was at the time Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (USAF), wrote this book as a legacy to his wife and children. He chronicles his stint as a fighter pilot during World War II, which began when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in August 1941, his flight training experiences in both Canada and the UK, and the brief time he spent flying Spitfires with the Royal Air Force (RAF) before his transfer to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the Spring of 1943.
Later that year, Godfrey was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group in U.S. Eighth Air Force Fighter Command, where over the next year, he would emerge as one of the top American fighter aces in Europe. Indeed, the 4th Fighter Group would finish the War as the top USAAF fighter unit in the Eighth Air Force in terms of the numbers of German planes it brought down in aerial combat.
Godfrey speaks very candidly about his life, giving the reader an insight into his strength of character and outlook. This is a book I would recommend very highly for anyone interested in reading real-life stories of people who bravely faced life-altering challenges.
In October 1956, John Godfrey had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -- aka "Lou Gehrig Disease" in recognition of the great New York Yankee slugger and first baseman who had been afflicted with this muscle wasting disease, which forced him to end his career; two years later, he was dead from ALS, age 38. Godfrey was in his mid-30s, married with 2 sons and living a full, contented life as a businessman in Maine. (Besides being a businessman, Godfrey had also been elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1952, serving 1 term.)
Godfrey shares with the reader what proved to be the beginning of a long, futile struggle to live with ALS, whilst seeking treatments that offered any containment of the disease or relief from it. He died in June 1958, age 36.
Godfrey, with the help of General Thomas D. White, who was at the time Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (USAF), wrote this book as a legacy to his wife and children. He chronicles his stint as a fighter pilot during World War II, which began when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in August 1941, his flight training experiences in both Canada and the UK, and the brief time he spent flying Spitfires with the Royal Air Force (RAF) before his transfer to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the Spring of 1943.
Later that year, Godfrey was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group in U.S. Eighth Air Force Fighter Command, where over the next year, he would emerge as one of the top American fighter aces in Europe. Indeed, the 4th Fighter Group would finish the War as the top USAAF fighter unit in the Eighth Air Force in terms of the numbers of German planes it brought down in aerial combat.
Godfrey speaks very candidly about his life, giving the reader an insight into his strength of character and outlook. This is a book I would recommend very highly for anyone interested in reading real-life stories of people who bravely faced life-altering challenges.
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July 25, 2023I would recommend this to any readers interested in a down-to-earth rendition of life as an American fighter pilot in WWII - though I may be a tad biased :). For someone struggling with such a horrific disease, John was able to produce a solid piece of writing which depicts both his struggles and successes. He certainly did not rollover the troubles he faced during even his highest of moments, deemed, 'military achievements'.
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