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Flying Forts
There is no such thunder in history -- nor ever will be again -- as the deep-throated roar of the mighty, four-engined B-17s that streamed across the skies in World War II. The long runways are silent now, the men and planes are gone. But out of the massive files of records available, and the memories of the men who flew, Martin Caidin has assembled this dramatic portrait of America's most formidable heavy bomber of the war. The The Flying Forts recreates a vanished era and a great and gallant plane -- a plane that could absorb three thousand enemy bullets, fly with no rudder, and complete its mission on two engines. A plane that American pilots flew at Pearl Harbor, Tunis, Midway, Palermo, Schweinfurt, Regensberg, Normandy, and Berlin, in thousands of missions and through hundreds of thousands of miles of flak-filled skies. A plane that proved itself in every combat theater as the greatest heavy bomber of World War II.
472 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1968
47 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Martin Caidin
192 books81 followersMartin Caidin was a prolific and controversial writer. Most of his work centered around the adventures of pilots and astronauts. A number of his books were notable for their reasonable, realistic predictions of then-futuristic technology.
Caidin's body of work was prolific and varied, ranging from additional speculative/SF novels such as Marooned, which was made into an acclaimed film and considered a harbinger of the Apollo 13 accident, to a novel based upon the character Indiana Jones. He also wrote many non-fiction books about science, aviation and warfare.
Caidin began writing fiction in 1957. In his career he authored more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books as well as more than 1,000 magazine articles. His best-known novel is Cyborg, which was the basis for "The Six Million Dollar Man" franchise. He also wrote numerous works of military history, especially concerning aviation.
In addition to his writing Caidin was a pilot and active in the restoration and flying of older planes.
Caidin's body of work was prolific and varied, ranging from additional speculative/SF novels such as Marooned, which was made into an acclaimed film and considered a harbinger of the Apollo 13 accident, to a novel based upon the character Indiana Jones. He also wrote many non-fiction books about science, aviation and warfare.
Caidin began writing fiction in 1957. In his career he authored more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books as well as more than 1,000 magazine articles. His best-known novel is Cyborg, which was the basis for "The Six Million Dollar Man" franchise. He also wrote numerous works of military history, especially concerning aviation.
In addition to his writing Caidin was a pilot and active in the restoration and flying of older planes.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 16, 2019
I'm a bit of a fan of Martin Caidin so it was of no surprise to me that I really enjoyed reading this book. I suppose it is the writing style that grabs me, as it is sort of like a newspaper interview combined with a top notch historical analysis as he introduces the B-17 bomber to his readers. Very detailed while remaining personal and "down to earth".
His passion for the B-17 is quite evident, and he even poses for a photo while piloting one. He has a very high regard for aviators and the their aircraft, but clearly has a love affair with the Flying Fort. I have zero issues with that, having personally flown aboard one and recognize just how special the plane is.
I can say that perhaps I'd have given it a 5 Star if some more emphasis was given on the B-17 in the Pacific theatre. The book is heavily focused on the European front, and yet the B-17 played a critical role in the early battles against the Japanese and later with bombing of island defenses and bases through 1943. A small omission, but makes the book feel somewhat incomplete. He does spend a couple of chapters amounting to about 40 pages discussing the Pacific war, so maybe I'm being too harsh here... but I trust my reading instincts on this and would have liked to have seen more material.
That complaint is a small one, and Caidin tries very hard to make up for that issue by putting together a top notch review of the B-17 in Europe. While light on mission data, it is very heavy in personal accounts and interviews providing the real punch for this book. Data is just numbers, and does not reflect the human toll or experience. Caidin proved us readers that critical experience so we can reflect on just how much we owe our veterans for their sacrifices. And we all do owe them a debt that cannot be paid with just a flag placed at a gravestone. I fear our current generations do understand this debt, but that topic will go no further here. If you find yourself wonder what I am talking about though, perhaps a reading of this book would help you see our "Greatest Generation" more clearly.
(steps off soapbox)
I truly enjoyed reading this book, and I think anyone who is interested in WW2 aviation should have this in their library. I gained many insights and learned a great deal about the B-17 development. This is a well deserved 4 Stars.
His passion for the B-17 is quite evident, and he even poses for a photo while piloting one. He has a very high regard for aviators and the their aircraft, but clearly has a love affair with the Flying Fort. I have zero issues with that, having personally flown aboard one and recognize just how special the plane is.
I can say that perhaps I'd have given it a 5 Star if some more emphasis was given on the B-17 in the Pacific theatre. The book is heavily focused on the European front, and yet the B-17 played a critical role in the early battles against the Japanese and later with bombing of island defenses and bases through 1943. A small omission, but makes the book feel somewhat incomplete. He does spend a couple of chapters amounting to about 40 pages discussing the Pacific war, so maybe I'm being too harsh here... but I trust my reading instincts on this and would have liked to have seen more material.
That complaint is a small one, and Caidin tries very hard to make up for that issue by putting together a top notch review of the B-17 in Europe. While light on mission data, it is very heavy in personal accounts and interviews providing the real punch for this book. Data is just numbers, and does not reflect the human toll or experience. Caidin proved us readers that critical experience so we can reflect on just how much we owe our veterans for their sacrifices. And we all do owe them a debt that cannot be paid with just a flag placed at a gravestone. I fear our current generations do understand this debt, but that topic will go no further here. If you find yourself wonder what I am talking about though, perhaps a reading of this book would help you see our "Greatest Generation" more clearly.
(steps off soapbox)
I truly enjoyed reading this book, and I think anyone who is interested in WW2 aviation should have this in their library. I gained many insights and learned a great deal about the B-17 development. This is a well deserved 4 Stars.
February 23, 2020
Caidin's Flying Forts is a classic. He starts with the conception of strategic bombing and follows the idea to the use of the B-17 in combat in World War II. His descriptions of how the aircraft was conceived to be used to how it was actually used was masterful.
Caidin answered some unanswered questions about the B-17. Why they were not used more in the Pacific? How did the two pronged (pincer) strategic bombing campaign start? How did B-17's survive so much punishment?
This book is highly recommended if you want to discover the development of the aircraft. This book is in the same vein as Tillman's Corsair.
Caidin answered some unanswered questions about the B-17. Why they were not used more in the Pacific? How did the two pronged (pincer) strategic bombing campaign start? How did B-17's survive so much punishment?
This book is highly recommended if you want to discover the development of the aircraft. This book is in the same vein as Tillman's Corsair.
June 15, 2020
I read this book when I was twelve (long ago!). I loved it then, and I loved it the 2nd time. It is a great tribute to the very brave B-17 aircrews of World War II. Martin Caidin was one of the very best aviation authors.
July 26, 2012
This book is a good look at the history of the B17, the development of strategic bombing, and life as a crew member of one of these bombers. It also gives a good overview of all the missions performed by the bomber from early in the war (even the role of the B17 in Perl Harbor) to late in the war.
The very costly raids in 1943 (Schweinfert for example) are described in detail. One thing that I learned is that, although these raids were costly in terms of crew and aircraft lost, they were successful for the most part in hitting their targets. The problem was that the loses could not be sustained.
The author does mention the Hamburg raids by the British and also that many civilians were killed as the bombing of Berlin increased. But there is no mention of the Dresden bombing by the US.
Much of the book is somewhat romanticized but many of the reports are based on first hand accounts. So in this sense it is a worthwhile read. And it is also good to understand how highly significant the strategic bombing was to the defeat of the Nazis.
The very costly raids in 1943 (Schweinfert for example) are described in detail. One thing that I learned is that, although these raids were costly in terms of crew and aircraft lost, they were successful for the most part in hitting their targets. The problem was that the loses could not be sustained.
The author does mention the Hamburg raids by the British and also that many civilians were killed as the bombing of Berlin increased. But there is no mention of the Dresden bombing by the US.
Much of the book is somewhat romanticized but many of the reports are based on first hand accounts. So in this sense it is a worthwhile read. And it is also good to understand how highly significant the strategic bombing was to the defeat of the Nazis.
October 4, 2012
One of two books that anyone interested in B-17s should read. The other is
Caidin is one of the most prolific authors on WW II aircraft and I think this is his best book. He covers the history of the aircraft from developement in the 1930 thru the tough battles over Germany. Well organized and presented.
Caidin is one of the most prolific authors on WW II aircraft and I think this is his best book. He covers the history of the aircraft from developement in the 1930 thru the tough battles over Germany. Well organized and presented.
August 12, 2022
A great book about the development and service history of the B-17 Flying Fortress. Though loaded with detail, I would in no way describe this book as dense; as others have pointed out, Martin Caidin has a way of writing that easily flows and does not bog the reader down with myriad facts and figures.
The book starts with the initial development of what would become the Flying Fortress, from the requests from the United States military for a heavy bomber to the final product that saw action during the opening days of the war in the Pacific. I myself was unfamiliar with the role played by the B-17 in this early theater. The author then traces the history of the B-17 against the Timeline of WW2, going over major operational changes in how the bomber was used, tactics, updates to the airplane itself, etc. I found it incredibly interesting to compare the 3 to 4-plane bombing missions (often very unsuccessful) of early B-17's (if I recall correctly, D models) in the fight against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines to the 1000+ plane missions that became commonplace in late-1944 to early 1945 against the Nazi heartland. If you're interested in how this came to be, this book is for you.
I only have one small criticism. It was definitely useful to have a background knowledge of the bombing campaign in Europe prior to reading. There were at times passages in the book, often being quotes from airmen/official AAF history, that would mention something that I myself was familiar with, but others might not be (for example a specific operation within the bombing campaign). The author would sometimes clarify what this meant, but not always. Reading without any background knowledge of the bombing campaign, this will still be an enlightening and educating book, hence why I will still give it 5 stars despite this criticism.
The book starts with the initial development of what would become the Flying Fortress, from the requests from the United States military for a heavy bomber to the final product that saw action during the opening days of the war in the Pacific. I myself was unfamiliar with the role played by the B-17 in this early theater. The author then traces the history of the B-17 against the Timeline of WW2, going over major operational changes in how the bomber was used, tactics, updates to the airplane itself, etc. I found it incredibly interesting to compare the 3 to 4-plane bombing missions (often very unsuccessful) of early B-17's (if I recall correctly, D models) in the fight against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines to the 1000+ plane missions that became commonplace in late-1944 to early 1945 against the Nazi heartland. If you're interested in how this came to be, this book is for you.
I only have one small criticism. It was definitely useful to have a background knowledge of the bombing campaign in Europe prior to reading. There were at times passages in the book, often being quotes from airmen/official AAF history, that would mention something that I myself was familiar with, but others might not be (for example a specific operation within the bombing campaign). The author would sometimes clarify what this meant, but not always. Reading without any background knowledge of the bombing campaign, this will still be an enlightening and educating book, hence why I will still give it 5 stars despite this criticism.
February 8, 2022
You can read B-17 exploits from many sources the book defines the evolution clearly.... and its shift from Pacfiic to Atlantic..... it puts in detail the evolution of the airplane and key points in the evolutoin and ventures into describing with selected stories each frame of history.... well written.
July 13, 2021
Queen of the sky
I had read this book, years ago and was looking to check it out again. I only wish the kindle version had some of the amazing photographs that I recall. It is a must read for B-17 lovers
I had read this book, years ago and was looking to check it out again. I only wish the kindle version had some of the amazing photographs that I recall. It is a must read for B-17 lovers
March 10, 2019
Good Book by Candin with all the anecdotes and technical writing he is famous for.
November 4, 2007
I literally wore this book out when I was growing up- the B-17 was my favorite plane, and this was my bible.
This is a typical Cadin book- a collection of individual stories melded together to make a collective history. It's somewhat successful in that Cadin is a great storyteller (and it's in a bit less exasperated tome than Ragged, Rugged Warriors). The most interesting bits are the early years in both the Pacific and Europe, followed by some of the post- war uses of B-17's.
This is a typical Cadin book- a collection of individual stories melded together to make a collective history. It's somewhat successful in that Cadin is a great storyteller (and it's in a bit less exasperated tome than Ragged, Rugged Warriors). The most interesting bits are the early years in both the Pacific and Europe, followed by some of the post- war uses of B-17's.
November 26, 2010
I read this book (several times) when i first got to know my high school library way back in '74'/'75' as a freshman! A great writer of all things in the wild blue yonder! A thus began my love affair w/the Flying Fortresses and other wonderful birds of W.W.II
Would've loved to have owned a copy of this one as a teen! Would Still luv to own a copy of this.
xoDaleB.xo
Would've loved to have owned a copy of this one as a teen! Would Still luv to own a copy of this.
xoDaleB.xo
May 11, 2013
Absolutely brilliant book about the plane and the men that flew it. Exactly the thing for you to read if you want to know about the queen of war.
November 7, 2014
Good read
Very detailed, learned a lot about that great aircraft! The mission accounts were very interesting I felt I was in cockpit with the author
Very detailed, learned a lot about that great aircraft! The mission accounts were very interesting I felt I was in cockpit with the author
December 27, 2014
Learned a little enjoyed a lot
January 14, 2017
The tumult and thunder have died away......
The key read about the B-17 and the crews. Not as technical as Jablonski's book. More personal.
The key read about the B-17 and the crews. Not as technical as Jablonski's book. More personal.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews