Luck of the Draw- My Story of the Air War in Europe by Frank Murphy
Product Details
Web ID: 16778280Educational!
Title: Luck of the Draw Author: Frank Murphy Release Date: February 28th, 2023 Page Count: 512 Format: Netgalley and Audiobook Start Date: April 21st, 2023 Finish Date: April 22nd, 2023 Rating: 5 Stars Review: This is the first book that I've read that is told from somebody who experienced the event in question. Most of the WW2 books I've been reading are about the events in general. Not that there's anything wrong with that. It's all educational. It just hits different when you're reading about it from a person who was actually there. I also know that this person went through a lot. To live through it is horrible enough, but they were brave enough to live through it again to write this book for us to read. I especially loved that their family wrote forewords. It's so beautiful! I fully recommend this book! Important to Note: Nonfiction book about WW2
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Lest we forget...
Luck of the Draw By Frank Murphy Mr. Murphy was the navigator for the 100th Bomb Group which flew missions from Britain over Western Europe and Germany during World War II until his plane was shot down and he became a prisoner of war in Germany. This is his story in his own words. Like many men of the "Greatest Generation", Frank and his compatriots didn't consider themselves heroes. They were just regular guys "doing the right thing". This memoir chronicles Frank's journey from his enlistment through training and his assignment to Great Britain to bombing raids and ultimately the deprivations of a prison camp. And like those same men, Frank did not talk about his war – the successful raids, but also the horrendous toll of planes and crews lost in this brutal war. Many years later Frank – one of the lucky ones who came home – decided to write this memoir to remember the experiences, and the men who were not so lucky. This recounting is dramatic in its matter-of-fact presentation. The story is amazing and horrifying. For me, there is one line that sums it all up: Frank describes two of this crew killed in action as "…two young American airmen [who] gave their nation their most precious possession – all their tomorrows." Thanks to Frank's daughter and granddaughter for the re-release of this book. We must never forget.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Excellent Memoir
Frank Murphy’s memoir covers his life through his time as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress in the 100th Bombardment Group. The 100th was in the thick of the Allies bombing of Germany and took heavy casualties. Mr. Murphy recounts his complete war experience from basic training to flying over the deadly European Skies. He tells of his harrowing mission where his plane was shot down and his life in a German POW camp. This book is a new edition with a new forward from Mr. Murphy’s granddaughter. Mr. Murphy does an excellent job retelling his war years. There are all sorts of stories from the funny things that happened to the terrifying mission he flew over Europe. He has a way of making you feel like you there while the events take place. Mr. Murphy does a good job of not overdramatizing the events for the sake of the story, but to really dig deep and give you a good sense of what was happening. He recounts his thoughts, including his fears, and how he and the rest of the man reacted to the events during the World War II. I listened to the audio version of this book, and felt that it was very easy to listen. The narrator had good pacing and enunciation. Overall this is an excellent memoir from one of the brave servicemen who served during World War II. I have read a number off memoirs from World War II servicemen, and this one is definitely in the top half. It provides great insight into the war.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Well done!
narrative, memoir, memories, biography, prisoners-of-war, air-war, airman, WW2, us-army, bombing, Germany, pow-camps, military-history, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture**** Meticulously documented and yet very personal. Very detailed info on air raids of the European war perfect for Air Force personnel past and present. As a civilian, while I felt outclassed in much of the narrative and the extensive appendices, the years in the Stalag were personalized and moving. It's a book well worth diving into again and again. I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley. Thank you
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com