Free Downloads Devotion: An Epic Story Of Heroism, Friendship, And Sacrifice
For readers of Unbroken comes an unforgettable tale of courage from America’s “forgotten war” in Korea, by the New York Times bestselling author of A Higher Call. Devotion tells the inspirational story of the U.S. Navy’s most famous aviator duo, Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown, and the Marines they fought to defend. A white New Englander from the country-club scene, Tom passed up Harvard to fly fighters for his country. An African American sharecropper’s son from Mississippi, Jesse became the navy’s first black carrier pilot, defending a nation that wouldn’t even serve him in a bar. While much of America remained divided by segregation, Jesse and Tom joined forces as wingmen in Fighter Squadron 32. Adam Makos takes us into the cockpit as these bold young aviators cut their teeth at the world’s most dangerous job—landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier—a line of work that Jesse’s young wife, Daisy, struggles to accept. Deployed to the Mediterranean, Tom and Jesse meet the Fleet Marines, boys like PFC “Red” Parkinson, a farm kid from the Catskills. In between war games in the sun, the young men revel on the Riviera, partying with millionaires and even befriending the Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Taylor. Then comes the war no one expected, in faraway Korea. Devotion takes us soaring overhead with Tom and Jesse, and into the foxholes with Red and the Marines as they battle a North Korean invasion. As the fury of the fighting escalates and the Marines are cornered at the Chosin Reservoir, Tom and Jesse fly, guns blazing, to try and save them. When one of the duo is shot down behind enemy lines and pinned in his burning plane, the other faces an unthinkable choice: watch his friend die or attempt history’s most audacious one-man rescue mission. A tug-at-the-heartstrings tale of bravery and selflessness, Devotion asks: How far would you go to save a friend?Praise for Devotion“Riveting . . . a meticulously researched and moving account.”—USA Today “An inspiring tale . . . portrayed by Makos in sharp, fact-filled prose and with strong reporting.”—Los Angeles Times “[A] must-read.”—New York Post “Stirring.”—Parade “A masterful storyteller . . . [Makos brings] Devotion to life with amazing vividness. . . . [It] reads like a dream. The perfectly paced story cruises along in the fast lane—when you’re finished, you’ll want to start all over again.”—Associated Press“A delight to read . . . Devotion is a story you will not forget.”—The Washington Times“My great respect for Tom Hudner knows no bounds. He is a true hero; and in reading this book, you will understand why I feel that way.”—President George H. W. Bush “This is aerial drama at its best—fast, powerful, and moving.”—Erik Larson, New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake“Though it concerns a famously cold battle in the Korean War, make no mistake: Devotion will warm your heart.”—Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Soldiers and In the Kingdom of Ice “At last, the Korean War has its epic, a story that will stay with you long after you close this book.”—Eric Blehm, New York Times bestselling author of Fearless and Legend
Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0804176582
ISBN-13: 978-0804176583
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.4 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (489 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #9,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Books > History > Military > Korean War > Campaigns #1 in Books > History > Military > Korean War > Aviation #7 in Books > History > Americas > United States > African Americans > History
This book reminds me of why I read books. This is a well-written and completely engrossing story about friendship and adversity. The book is a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that previous generations endured for the benefit of those who enjoy our freedoms today. I wouldn't be surprised if this deservingly becomes a hit movie; regardless, if you enjoy amazing history, then give this amazing book a try. This outstanding work comes highly recommended!UPDATE: This is the first time I have ever come back to update a review on book. Why on earth would I do that? Well, the book has stuck with me. I think of it daily; that seems crazy, but that is the case. I think of the sacrifices that these guys in the book made (especially what the Marines went through in those beyond horrible conditions in Korea), and I think of the men and women throughout our military that continue to make sacrifices in many ways that allows the US to still be the best country in the world. There are sections in the book that literally drove me to tears, which is fairly unusual for my personality. A great book really imparts a sense of learning and understanding, and this book accomplished that many times over. I also happen to be a writer (with zero association of the writer of this book or the publisher), but I can honestly state that if you only buy and read ONE book this year, make it this one. It is that good, it is that amazing, and it is that important, at least in my opinion.
I was engaged in finishing a fine book of historical fiction set during the closing months of the American Civil War when "Devotion" appeared in my mail box. It sat on my book shelf unopened for at least another 10 days before I finished the other book and finally had a chance to crack the cover of this one. If I had known what I was in for by reading this book I would have dropped the other one mid-way through and devoured this one! The other book was very good and commendable, but this one will, I hope be on everyone's fall reading list."Devotion" is non-fiction, based on events that occurred mainly during the early days of the Korean War, a conflict largely overlooked by most Americans, most of whom know it solely through their experiences with the TV comedy M*A*S*H*It is obvious that Makos and his team did a splendid job of researching the story lines included in this book. The central story though involves the first African American naval aviator, Jesse Brown. Military history buffs know about the WWII all-African American fighter pilots known as the Red Tails, but Ensign Jesse Brown, a graduate of Ohio State University and devoted husband and father was the first African American to qualify as a carrier pilot. This was in 1950 - an America of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Amidst this background Jesse Brown, a man born in extremely humble circumstances in Mississippi, crossed paths with Thomas Hudner, Jr., a white pilot born into the world of wealth and privilege, and graduate of the US Naval Academy.This is their story, but it is much more than that. Makos weaves their experiences into experiences of several other US Military personnel fighting in Korea, mainly marines who were the target of the Chinese army that crossed into N Korea in an effort to eradicate US Military forces.I won't tell you any more than this, but this is IMO a literary, historical,. and personal work that should be read by everyone. I will recommend it to all my friends. I seldom do this, but this book is worth it. It is on par with other recent excellent books such as "Unbroken" and "Boys in the Boat." It goes far beyond names, dates and places. and gives us precious glimpses into a particularly tense time and the people who lived them.5+ Stars
To many Americans, myself included, much of the Korean War is a mystery. I did know, however, that the Battle of Chosin in late 1950 was one of the most savage battles in American history. It is during this battle that, according to the captain of the USS Leyte, "no finer act of unselfish heroism in military history" took place.In Devotion, author Adam Makos tells the story of naval aviators Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown. The unlikely duo - Hudner was a New England prep school and Naval Academy graduate while Brown struggled against racism to become the first African American carrier pilot - were wingmen in Fighter Squadron 32 aboard the USS Leyte. But more than that, they were friends and when Brown is shot down behind enemy lines, Hudner has to decide how much can safely be risked in an attempt to save him.Makos is a gifted writer and tells in riveting fashion the story of these two men and the incident that will forever link their names.He has done extensive research into the battle as well as the backgrounds of Hudner and Brown and uses first hand accounts to keep the book authentic without being too academic.In the book's introduction, Makos states that his goal is for readers to not just read Devotion but to "experience" it, and he accomplishes just that.Devotion is a book you should experience and one that puts a human face on a war that many in our nation have forgotten.
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