Lester Cohen (1901–1963)

As early as 1920, US Army General Billy Mitchell began sounding alarm bells about an inevitable Japanese invasion from sea-based aircraft. Through the press and in person he lobbied naval brass about America's woefully unprepared defensive air power but his talk of dogfights over the Pacific with superior planes was laughed at and dismissed by all. Mitchell's vision of a US Air Arm would have meant massive, costly upgrades to the nation's dated flying machines owned by private firms holding show more patents on aircraft machinery. Old guard soldiers, like John J. Pershing, dismissed as delusional ravings Mitchell's belief that a battleship could be destroyed by a bomber. Mitchell's outspoken press conferences about an airplane trust supported by corrupt government officials led to his court-martial for insubordination in 1925. He died in 1936, a man ahead of his times. show less

On the one wing, Prophet without Honor is an interesting up-close look at General Mitchell from a man who knew him personally, offering insights into Mitchell's relationships with other aviation pioneers like Glenn Martin and Hap Arnold and detailing his battles on behalf of air power against the Army and Navy brass before Congress, in the press and in the court room. On the other, Gauvreau's obvious reverence and near idol-worship for the father of the U.S. Air Force became somewhat show more tiresome. His contemporary perspective also led to assumptions about the reader's knowledge which left open some pretty big gaps, the worst of which was an inadequate explanation of the early Twentieth Century "Aviation Trust" working against Mitchell. show less

Leslie Howard is fine in the lead role as Philip Carey--it's a nuanced performance, never over the top and charming. But it really is Bette Davis, in her first major role at twenty-six who is the standout, and raises this to a four-star rating. She was just riveting in every scene she appeared in, and shows she was not one of those Hollywood stars of the era who got by on looks or projecting a charismatic personality, but could really act--really disappear into a role.

The text concerns Philip, a serious but handicapped medicine student who falls fatally in love with a heartless , predatory waitress named Mildred. She leaves him , engaging other suitors. Meanwhile , he is romanced with other women, but she goes after him in a mutually destructive affair. Mildred turns up like a bad penny , but this time he won't let her ruin his life; he'll help her but he won't love her; something that infuriates her. This story is almost a century old but it is still a show more difficult watch at times; not because it isn't a good story , but because it is painful watching poor Phillip ruining his life pursuing a woman who holds him in contempt. The protagonists are interesting; a nice man self-conscious about his club foot and a thoroughly unpleasant woman. show less