The Wild Blue

The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany

By: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrated by: Jeffrey DeMunn

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

The very young men who flew the B24s over Germany in World War II against terrible odds were an exemplary band of brothers. In The Wild Blue, Stephen Ambrose recounts their extraordinary brand of heroism, skill, daring, and comradeship.

Ambrose describes how the Army Air Forces recruited, trained, and chose those few who would undertake the most demanding and dangerous jobs in the war. These are the boys - turned pilots, bombardiers, navigators, and gunners of the B24s - who suffered over 50 percent casualties.

Ambrose carries us along in the crowded, uncomfortable, and dangerous B24s as their crews fought to the death through thick, black, deadly flak to reach their targets and destroy the German war machine or else went down in flames. Twenty-two-year-old George McGovern, who was to become a United States senator and a presidential candidate, flew 35 combat missions (all the Army would allow) and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. We meet him and his mates, his co-pilot killed in action, and crews of other planes - many of whom did not come back.

As Band of Brothers and Citizen Soldiers portrayed the bravery and ultimate victory of the American soldier from Normandy on to Germany, The Wild Blue makes clear the contribution these young men of the Army Air Forces stationed in Italy made to the Allied victory.

©2001 Stephen E. Ambrose (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Brilliant.... It is a terrific story." (Larry King, USA Today)

" The Wild Blue is right on target...[the book] finally gives those men of the 15th Air Force the tribute they so richly earned." ( The Dallas Morning News)

Good Book

I have to admit to being a little skeptical since the author claimed to be close friends with McGovern, the protagonist of the story and so there has to have been some needed objectivity lost. But the overall story isn't controversial by nature so I guess that's okay. If McGovern had made any serious blunders as a pilot or an officer, it would have surely come out before this book was ever written considering his political career.

The story developed well and I liked the background on each character and getting a look at their training, etc.

The narrator has a fine voice, and good cadence but I didn't think it really fit this book very well, but I suppose that's going to be subjective to each listener. (Just click on the audio sample to judge for yourself.)

Citizen heroes - extraordinary ordinary men

Ambrose is the biographer of the citizen soldiers, the brotherhood who won the war. This story is about the boys (that is really all they were: 18 to 22 year olds who piloted and crewed bombers. Many, including my father’s brother who was a B-24 navigator, died doing the job of destroying Hitler’s infrastructure. Listening to the stories was especially touching for me.

My Uncle Mike died

What did you love best about The Wild Blue?

My Uncle Mike died in a B-24, this story helped me realize just what he must have went through. Very good story and it should have been told a lot sooner.

Typical Ambrose

This book does not go into great detail of the daily operations, nor in-depth strategic discussions of the air war, but it introduces you on a personal level to the crew. It is typical Ambrose, allowing One to get a sense, at a personal level,
of the characters within the story

Ambrose Impresses again

If you could sum up The Wild Blue in three words, what would they be?

Entertaining, Inspirational, Educational

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is a great read that makes you laugh and cry. It puts you in the B-24 in many different missions and lets you feel what the crew felt.

Any additional comments?

I love reading Stephen Ambrose. I have read most of his books, and have yet to be disappointed. My favorite by him was Undaunted Courage, but Citizen Soldiers was a close second.

Wonderful story and beautifully written

While not a fan of Senator McGoverns politics, I am in complete awe of his tremendous service to our country. My father in law was also at the same base as a navigator in the 454 BG. Mr Ambrose's description of the 15th air forces accomplishments speaks volumes about how the fliers were never given the press the 8th received. Great American, great book.

A good read

Was a good listen, good reader. Learned quite a lot about the B-24. My dad flew in a B-17 from England so this was about the other "heavy bomber" he talked about.

great story

narrator was excellent. very interesting story and 'reads' fast. lots of interesting history about the war

A very Good Expo of the WW 2 Air Battle

I was not aware of the heavy casualties taken by bomber crews and especially of the bravery of George McGovern. The crews ranged in age from 18 to 25 and were brave beyond belief.

Fun and quick

Good listen with great stories from a underrated bomber group. Check it out right now!