The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle: Memoir of a WWII Bomber Pilot FROM OUR EDITORS
The exploits of Colonel Robert Morgan, the first B-17 pilot, was the basis of a 1944 William Wyler documentary and the 1990 film Memphis Belle. His memoir details his 26 missions in the Pacific, including a B-29 attack on Tokyo. Coauthor Ron Powers is a Pulitzer Prize winner who collaborated on Flags of Our Fathers.)
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Many who saw the 1990 Hollywood movie Memphis Belle think they know the story. But the real story had nothing to do with the movie-and it is told for the first time here, by the pilot who lived it. An emotionally moving tale, and a heartbreaking love story, this is an unforgettable memoir of a man who was born into a life of ease-and tested in the hardship of war.
Author Biography: Col. Robert Morgan, USAFR, ret., was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters. Still an active flyer, he lives with his wife, Linda, who is also an active pilot.
Ron Powers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller Flags of Our Fathers.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Made famous in a 1944 William Wyler documentary and inspiring a 1990 movie starring Matthew Modine, Harry Conick Jr. and Eric Stolz Morgan, a B17F "Flying Fortress" pilot, here fleshes out his own story, together with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Powers (Flags of Our Fathers). Morgan's depression-era childhood in Asheville, N.C., was cushioned by his mother's friendship with Cornelia Vanderbilt, who stepped in when the family went bust. Fond of fast cars and women, a grown-up Morgan joined the Army Air Corps in late 1940 and found that he had a natural talent for flying. In spite of less than perfect eyesight, he was chosen to pilot the newly developed Flying Fortress, designed to take flak and keep flying. When he met Memphis-born Margaret Polk, the two fell in love and planned to marry. On every mission over Germany and France, Morgan flew the Memphis Belle with a photo of Polk taped to the instrument panel (16 pages of photos here in all), which made for great publicity. After 25 harrowing daylight missions, the crew endured an exhausting 31-city U.S. tour, which ruined Morgan's marriage plans and led to his assignment as a B-29 Superfortress squadron commander. He flew 26 missions over Japan in 1944 and early 1945 before being rotated home. His search for the woman to replace his deceased mother led him through several marriages and engagements, which he chronicles in detail. Morgan also recounts (with the aid of 16 pages of photos) the tale of the Memphis Belle itself, which went from being a vandalized and forgotten plane to a national treasure. (On-sale: May 7) Forecast: Fans of military memoirs will like the first-person straight talk and action, but few outside the subject will come along for the ride through Morgan's personal life, though it is presented with ease and relative candor. And with Memphis Belle the movie 10 years in the can, there's little hope of the book being swept along in its breeze, despite Morgan's heroics. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
KLIATT
To quote KLIATT's September 2001 review of the HighBridge audiobook edition: In 1941 Robert Morgan, 23, a privileged North Carolinian, had little idea of what air warfare might mean when he joined the U.S. Army Air Force. As a bomber pilot, he flew a total of 51 missions. Twenty-five of these, in the flying fortess Memphis Belle, were against German targets. The Belle was "a Stradivarius of an airplane," decorated with scantily clad women and a picture of a bomb for each successful foray. Crowds and media frenzy greeted Memphis Belle and the crew's return to the United States. Later, in Dauntless Dotty, Morgan flew another 26 missions during which he bombed Iwo Jima and led the first strike against Tokyo. During the missions, he felt forever dogged by the possibility of death, a reasonable fear because many planes and their men were lost. Macho in tone, he injects asides about his multiple marriages and relationships with women. KLIATT Codes: SAﾽRecommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2001, Penguin Putnam, New American Library, 390p. illus. bibliog., Boardman
Library Journal
Flying ace Morgan explains that his B-17 was named for his fiance. Although the headline romance from World War II did not last, William Wyler's 1944 documentary about the Belle's 25th bombing mission over Europe captivated the nation. Here is Colonel Morgan's personal story of his training, his skilled USAF crew, his wives, and his flying another bomber in the Pacific campaign. He deplores war's death toll and property loss but is justifiably proud of his contribution to the Allied victory. The archival film on the Belle and the Flying Fortress itself were almost lost; their preservation concludes one of World War II's best memoirs. Narrator Ron McLarty has the right American voice, expressing the many dramatic shifts in mood. Enthusiastically recommended. Gordon Blackwell, Eastchester, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
AudioFile
The title refers to the famous B-17, named for the pilot/author's girlfriend. Military pilots typically lead daring, dangerous lives, both in and out of the air, so this WWII trilogy of bombs, broads, and booze serves up memories easy to appreciate. Even when the pilot is flying his B-17 through flak, Ron McLarty's gravelly voice remains cool, and wisps of the author's North Carolina accent add realism. However, Col. Morgan's disastrous personal life has as many ups and downs as his airplanes, providing more fuel for reflection than the air battles over Europe and Japan. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
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