A Higher Call
An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
-
-
4.6 • 1.4K Ratings
-
-
- $9.99
Publisher Description
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 Devotion, now a Major Motion Picture.
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Military historian and aviation enthusiast Makos, along with WWII biographer Alexander (In the Footsteps of the Band of Brothers), delivers a top-notch narrative of the unlikely encounter between one of Germany's leading fighter aces, Franz Stigler, and the rookie crew of an American bomber in the frigid skies of Germany in December 1943 upon engaging the already damaged American plane, Stigler had mercy on his enemies and escorted them to safety. Building on the events of that encounter, Makos crafts a multifaceted story, relating the career of Stigler from his first taste of combat in North Africa to his final assignment flying jet fighters in the waning battles of the war in Europe. He also follows American Lt. Charlie Brown and his crew through training and to the successful completion of their combat tour in April 1944. Based on thousands of hours of interviews and an evident knowledge of his subject, Makos details the frantic life of the German fighter pilots living on the edge, and the American bomber crews, far from home, fighting to survive. The book is a riveting story of humanity and mercy set against the ghastly backdrop of war.
Customer Reviews
Amazing!
It has been years since I have finished a book I start. Life always seems to get in the way and the book is literally put on the back shelf. Not this one however. I was gripped by the men in this book and the lives they lived. I was emotional thinking about the stories my grandfather told in vague clips about his time as a B-17 belly gunner. This book brought those stories to life and gave me a much greater appreciation for all service members.
Epic Epic Epic
This story not only was amazing, but showed me that apart from politics and war, deep down our humanity can help us remember who WE are within ourselves can heal all wounds. This story is an absolute must read and captivated me from start to finish. Jody R George, MD
Lake Charles, LA
Great read
Dad was a B24 pilot. This book revived many memories of his stories. Also caused an ache, wishing I’d asked more questions.
Great read.