General Chuck Yeager, the greatest test pilot of them all — the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound . . .the World War II flying ace who shot down a Messerschmitt jet with a prop-driven P-51 Mustang . . .the hero who defined a certain quality that all hotshot fly-boys of the postwar era aimed to achieve: the right stuff.
Now Chuck Yeager tells his whole incredible life story with the same "wide-open, full throttle" approach that has marked his astonishing career. What it was really like enaging in do-or-die dogfights over Nazi Europe. How after being shot over occupied France, Yeager somehow managed to escape. The amazing behind-the-scenes story of smashing the sound barrier despite cracked ribs from a riding accident days before.
The entire story is here, in Yeager's own words, and in wondeful insights from his wife and those friends and colleagues who have known him best. It is the personal and public story of a man who settled for nothing less than excellence, a one-of-a-kind portrait of a true American hero.
Anonymous
Posted May 10, 2010
the most thrilling and absorbing book ive ever read. im a personal fan of chuck, i had a pretty cool incounter with him back in 1998 when he came to the warbird museum in kissimee florida. my father worked there, and on the main taxi lane he taxied on by in his p-51D glamours gleen,III, i was fishing and he smiled and waved at me. ever sence then i was amazed with his stories mostly relayed by my father, but in ninth grade i read his book. i loved it this is a fantistic read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 10, 2009
This book was the first non-fiction book I read when I was about 13. I have since read it another two or more times. The way Yeager describes his experiences really puts you into the cockpit with him. The other voices gives a better view of him, outside of his own opinions of himself. An overall great book. I would recommend this book to anyone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 11, 2011
This is an excellent story. It is a quick read because you will not be able to put it down. The story starts with Yeager's humble childhood in West Virginia and how it shaped his personality and work ethic. It goes on to chronicle his career in the Air Force, including some action-packed WWII stories and some heart-throbbing accounts from his test-pilot days. The theme of the entire book is the concept of "living to fly again another day." Despite being in several close calls, Yeager always found a way to make it out alive. The book also stresses the importance of practice and experience in being successful in life. Mr. Yeager humbly recognizes that he can attribute much of his success to this idea. He was a better pilot than most because he flew more than most. I personally loved the action sequences included the book and how they are told in Chuck Yeager's own words. It is easy to imagine what he sounds like in person from reading the book. I also enjoyed learning about some the less famous events in Chuck Yeager's life. Most people only know him as the first person to break the sound barrier, but few know about his adventures in Germany and Pakistan. It was just fun to get to know this incredible person a little bit more in depth. My only complaint would be the occasional vulgar language used when he recounted his glory days, but it adds to the overall personality of the book and to Yeager. It just might be a little bit too much for some of the younger readers. However, this is the book for anyone looking to learn more about this incredible American hero or for someone just looking for an exciting, page-turning book. Anyone interested in aviation would also find the information and stories fascinating. If you also enjoyed this book as much as I did, make sure to also check out the Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe. It is a great book that puts a slightly different spin on similar events. Overall, this is a must read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2009
My son read this book for a school biography project. The language and innuendo is a bit heavy for a 13 year old, but he thoroughly enjoyed the book. He read it as we were driving through the deep south and every now and then he would just bust out laughing and have to stop and tell us a story.
He reactions were so good I now want to read the book as well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2008
I first read this book at the age of twelve and it ended up being one of my most favorites to this day. It is full of great, sometimes funny, war stories that keep the reader attentive and engaged. Just an AWESOME book!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 25, 2004
If you are interested in either World War II, breaking the sound barrier, or just airplanes, Yeager is the book for you. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Yeager is a terrific storyteller and can make you seem like you are in his shoes. He will go from escaping from the Germans, to becoming a test pilot. His life is so exciting you will want to read this book over and over again. Yeager was a southern boy with little education and a funny accent. He loved to hunt, fish, and just plain be out in the wild. My favorite part about this book is how he was still a kid at heart and just loved flying.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 27, 2002
I was born in Holland in 1940, so Chuck Yeager must have passed over my home near the coast many times from his base Leiston UK to the German aerial battle field. I cherish this book, have read it maybe 30 times and now and then I read some parts and it gives me new power. This man is an example of never giving up and always give 100 % of your ability whatever your line of work is. Great Guy !!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 2, 2001
the auto biography entitled yeager is the best most interesting books i have ever read. i am 16 years old and to me, this is a very inspiring book. i recomend this book to anyone who has even the slightest interest in either the air force or airplanes.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 12, 2001
Hands down, the finest book ever written about the early days of flight test & a must-read for any aviation enthusiast. I first received this book as a gift when I was 12 years old, and I have literally worn it out I've read it so many times (I'm 29 now). General Yeager doesn't pull any punches...he shoots straight & does a terrific job detailing his incredible life. I've read this book at least 20+ times.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 24, 2001
About once a year I re-read this saga. It is a wonderful historical account of a unique individual who found himself living during an era of unprecedented aeronautical change. For all of us 'Walter Mitty' dreamers out there, this is a must read biography, one that will shake you out of your 'I wish I could' approach to life to one of 'I think will'. A truly fun, exciting, and inspiring story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 29, 2001
Anyone who feels the need to glance skyward at the whirl of an overpassing aircraft needs to check this title out! From dog fighting in the WWII european theatre...to barely escaping German patrol units behind enemy lines...to testing our nations first jet aircarft, this book is a must for any aviation enthusiast. It's well written and offers it's readers a first hand look into the life of one of the greatest aviators to have ever stepped foot in the cockpit!
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Posted January 15, 2013
Book Review Outline
Book title and author: Yeager by; Chuck Yeager and Leo Janos
Title of review: AMAZING BOOK
Number of stars (1 to 5): 5
Introduction
I first read this book in the sixth grade for a book project and prized it. Of all the books I’ve read this is one of the greatest.
Description and summary of main points
The main points of the story have been in major detail and have been very interesting.
Evaluation
I gave it five stars due to its detail and keeping me interested. This book is hard to stop reading once you have started reading.
Conclusion
In conclusion I would recommend this book and would read it again and again.
Your final review
My in general assessment of Yeager is five stars because, it kept me interested and did by no means get boring as well as it told in detail the events of Chuck Yeager’s life.
This is one of the best biographies I've ever read. If you are the least bit interested in aviation, you MUST read this book. It covers from his childhood through his retirement. He talks about flying in WWII, including getting shot down, escaping through the Pyrenee's into Spain, shooting down a German jet fighter, breaking the sound barrier in the X-1, flying several other X-planes, crashing and being severely burned, test flying a MiG, being stationed in Vietnam and Germany as well as his family life. I even wrote a poem in freshman composition based on what I read in this book, that even 25 years later I can still recite. I tried my first stick of Beaman's gum because of this book, and I still like it today. This is one of my favorites. A good companion to this if you are interested in experimental aircraft and the Lockheed Skunkworks is Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed by Ben Rich
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Posted November 7, 2008
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Posted August 1, 2009
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Posted November 1, 2008
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Posted November 6, 2008
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Overview
General Chuck Yeager, the greatest test pilot of them all — the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound . . .the World War II flying ace who shot down a Messerschmitt jet with a prop-driven P-51 Mustang . . .the hero who defined a certain quality that all hotshot fly-boys of the postwar era aimed to achieve: the right stuff.
Now Chuck Yeager tells his whole incredible life story with the same "wide-open, full throttle" approach that has marked his astonishing ...