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  • Horses Don't Fly

  • The Memoir of the Cowboy Who Became a World War I Ace
  • By: Frederick Libby
  • Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby
  • Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)

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Horses Don't Fly cover art

Horses Don't Fly

By: Frederick Libby
Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby
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Editor reviews

The sparkle and humor that Frederick Libby brought to being a cowboy stays with him through his stint as World War I ace and straight through his later life, as he clearly had a grand time writing these memoirs. Stephen Bowlby’s performance of the audiobook grounds Libby’s laissez faire attitude, keeping it flowing while retaining its everyman feel. Libby presents himself as a wisecracking cowboy but he undoubtedly led a remarkable life and his story provides a unique slice of real American cowboy attitudes and how that rugged individualism transferred for one man to the air battles of WWI.

Summary

Growing up on a ranch in Sterling, Colorado, Frederick Libby tamed countless horses, drove cattle, and even roped an antelope. When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the Canadian army with the same happy-go-lucky daring and grit with which he approached all things. In France, he became an aviator with the Royal Flying Corp, downing an enemy plane on his first day of battle over the Somme. He went on to become an ace, with 24 victories to his credit, just two less than Captain Eddie Rickenbacher. This is a rare piece of Americana, told in as pure and compelling a voice from the vernacular heart of this country as you will ever hear.

©2000 Sally Ann Marsh. Introduction copyright 2012 by Winston Groom (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about Horses Don't Fly

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Cowboy

A true inspiration well written and well read. Gives you a feeling of being there, out in the old wild west and equally as a pilot in the First World War . Well done!

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what an amazing journey!!

...it would have been a thrill to have met Frederick! His life was a sign of the Times...and his good karma! Very entertaining listen

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Amazing story

This is a fantastic book covering the amazing and tough life of a unique man. A large portion of the book covers his life growing up in circumstances harsher than combat and equally intriguing. The narration style is relaxed and you feel like you are sitting listening to the author telling you about his life. Properly done, this story would make an outstanding film.

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Undoubtedly the best book I have ever read.

Frederick Libby’s account of World War I is absolutely stunning and distinguished career should be admired by all that read it the tone from open spaces of early America and the harsh realities of World War I should be commended.

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True adveture

Fascinating and warm memories from the true gentlemen. I really enjoyed of the story and reading. Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about WW1 air-war and life in back then.

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Excellent!

What an amazing life this man lived all before the age of 30. I would've preferred to have lived in these days. Thanks

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Fabulous and inspiring

Libby writes modestly and sincerely about his experiences from childhood to the end of the war, with descriptions which bring home the tragic loss of life and bravery of all those who were involved. Fantastically well written, I loved it to the end.

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Stunningly good!

I bought this out of an interest in WW1 flying.
What I got was an incredible story of the life of an amazing man! His younger life before joining the RFC was as amazing as his wartime exploits.

Great book!

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Excellent

Simply told, it's a story of a true hero who didn't realise that he was

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what an absolute delight this was .

highly recommended, great narration for a change , the authors humour and grace flow through the book transporting the listener back in time to last of the wild West and the skies above France never failing to amuse , inform, educate and delight. what a man !

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