Topgun
An American Story
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3.9 • 255 Ratings
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER
On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat.
"A noble, thrillingly realized combat aviation memoir from one of America's finest." -Kirkus Reviews
When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again.
What resulted was nothing short of a revolution—one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood, but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come.
Pedersen takes readers on a colorful and thrilling ride, from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace, through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight"—the best of the best—and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders.
Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimony to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
The name Topgun makes many of us think of Tom Cruise in aviators—but even Maverick himself has nothing on Dan Pedersen. The mind behind the US Navy’s Topgun fighter pilot training program details one of the most impactful military careers in history in his illuminating memoir. Having witnessed firsthand the troubling ineffectiveness of US aerial-combat strategy in Vietnam, Pedersen was allowed to start a training program in California that ultimately restored American air superiority. The exploits of the instructors who ran that program (known as the Original Bros) had us absolutely riveted. Pedersen is a fascinating man who isn’t afraid to take aim at bureaucratic nonsense—or at himself, for letting his service impact his personal life. If the movies left you even a little bit curious about the real Topgun school, this blistering listen will not disappoint.
Customer Reviews
Topgun
Great story for those of us who wanted to be Naval aviators but got stuck in our real life.my life could not have been better,but I always wanted to land a plane on an aircraft carrier.Istill have my TOPGUN hat given to me by my nurse
Great Book
Took me back to my days aboard USS Ranger running intercepts over the South China Sea while listening to John Denver's Eagle and the Hawk. Seems like just yesterday.
Such an Inspiring Story!
What an incredible story. I was first introduced to the notion of reading Tom Gun after watching a YouTube interview of my VF-31 Tomcat Skipper from the early eighties. Well, CAPT Petersen happened to be my first Skipper when I reported aboard the USS RANGER as a new Airman Recruit from Basic Training at Great Lakes, IL. CAPT Dan enlightened my day every morning with the “Good Morning RANGER men!” greeting. He was a highly regarded CO and after reading his wonderful story I can certainly understand why. Throughly enjoyed this book!