James Doolittle (1896–1993)

Interesting book. I was pretty familiar with the Doolittle raid on Japan but wasn't familiar with his technical work prior to WWII in putting together safe instrument flying/landing/takeoff procedures. I was also not very aware of his additional command roles in Africa and Europe after the Doolittle raid.

A passage that made me laugh: "My first vist to Chequers was an experience about which I wish I could recall more. We had a few drinks and supper and then he (Churchill) ordered up a movie. show more Afterward we discussed the air war and how I was getting along with with my British counterparts. As we talked, I tried to match his frequent refills of brandy. It wasn't long before I remembered that short fighter pilots have lesser resistance to its effects than larger people. I realized that I was a guest in the Prime Minister's home and was getting to gabby. However, before I lapsed into silence and listened to this great man discourse on events, I thought I should say something brilliant. After saying something brilliant I planned to say nothing more, drink some black coffee, and reachive sobriety. When the opportunity came for me to speak, I made a very very erudite statement. At least Churchill must have thought so. He said "Splendid, Jimmy, just splendid! I shall use that tomorrow in the House of Commons. It's just what I need to make a very important point!" To this day I haven't the foggiest idea what I said." show less

This si a very interesting autobiography, written when Doolittle was over 90, so it effectually covers his whole life. He had a very full life and the accounts of his time as a daredevil avviator in the 1920's and of the Tokyo raid in 1942 and of his time in Euopre in World War II are well-told and of hjgh interest. His account of his time after the war is of less interest and seems to be less modest than his account of the great things he did in the War. And then telling how he campaigned show more for Goldwater in 1964 dropped a half-point off the rating I was going to give him. show less

Clunky writing, but admire the man and his story.

Good book about a very interesting life. Jimmy Doolittle lived long and prospered.