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A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II

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In "A Higher Call," author Adam Makos narrates an incredible true story of an encounter between an American B-17 bomber crew and a German fighter pilot during World War II. The book delves into the lives of the two pilots, Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler, exploring their personal and military circumstances leading up to the fateful event that ties them together. Through a well-paced narrative, Makos highlights acts of humanity, heroism, and the pilot's code of chivalry, shedding light on the individuals behind the uniforms and showcasing the complexities of war beyond the conventional good versus evil narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and well-researched, intertwining personal narratives with historical context to create a compelling reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on a significant wartime encounter between two pilots, showcasing themes of humanity and bravery, while also detailing their lives leading up to and following the event.

Setting:

The setting encompasses World War II Europe, particularly the air combat scenes over Germany, with a reflective look at the post-war era.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven at times, with suspenseful action interspersed with slower historical background, yet it generally maintains reader engagement.
FRANZ STIGLER BURIED his hands in the pockets of his long, tattered wool coat as he shuffled along the streets of the small, bombed-out city. The frigid air crystallized his breath in the early mornin...

Notes:

Franz Stigler had initially wanted to become a priest but turned to flying and became a fighter pilot during WWII.
He never joined the Nazi party and his family also stayed away from it, with his brother suspected to be in the underground.
The book reveals that many German soldiers, including Stigler, were not supportive of Hitler's regime but were simply obeying orders to survive.
On December 20, 1943, Stigler encountered an American B-17 bomber piloted by Charlie Brown that was severely damaged and nearly defenseless.
Instead of shooting down the crippled bomber, Stigler chose to spare its crew, leading them safely over enemy flak zones.
Stigler risked court martial for his decision, as sparing an enemy aircraft was against orders.
After the war, Stigler immigrated to Canada and worked as a mechanic.
Years later, both pilots searched for each other, eventually reuniting 46 years after their encounter in the sky.
The book illustrates moments of humanity found in soldiers on both sides of the conflict, challenging the view of all Germans as Nazis.
The narrative engages readers emotionally, portraying the pilots as dedicated individuals caught in the turmoil of war but driven by their moral compass.

From The Publisher:

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: "Beautifully told."-CNN

"A remarkable story...worth retelling and celebrating."-USA Today

"Oh, it's a good one!"-Fox News

A "beautiful story of a brotherhood between enemies" emerges from the horrors of World War II in this New York Times bestseller by the author of Spearhead.

December, 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this, their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber's tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler-and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger...

What happened next would defy imagination and later be called "the most incredible encounter between enemies in World War II."

The U.S. 8th Air Force would later classify what happened between them as "top secret." It was an act that Franz could never mention for fear of facing a firing squad. It was the encounter that would haunt both Charlie and Franz for forty years until, as old men, they would search the world for each other, a last mission that could change their lives forever.

Ratings (4)

Incredible (4)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (4)
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About the Author:

Hailed as "a masterful storyteller" by the Associated Press, Adam Makos is the author of the New York Times bestseller A Higher Call, Spearhead, and the critically-acclaimed Devotion. Inspired by his grandfathers' service, Adam chronicles the stories of American veterans in his trademark fusion of intense human drama and fast-paced military action, securing his place "in the top ranks of military writers," according to the Los Angeles Times. In the course of his research, Adam has flown a WWII bomber, accompanied a Special Forces raid in Iraq, and journeyed into North Korea in search of an MIA American airman.

Larry Alexander is the author of the New York Times bestselling biography Biggest Brother: The Life of Major Dick Winters, the Man Who Led the Band of Brothers. He is also the author of Shadows in the Jungle: The Alamo Scouts Behind Japanese Lines in World War II and In the Footsteps of the Band of Brothers: A Return to Easy Company's Battlefields with Sgt. Forrest Guth. Alexander has been a journalist and columnist for the Intelligencer Journal in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for nearly twenty years and has won numerous state-level awards for excellence in journalism.

 
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