On a Wing and a Prayer cover art

On a Wing and a Prayer

The Untold Story of the First Heroes of the Air

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On a Wing and a Prayer

By: Joshua Levine
Narrated by: Joshua Levine
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About this listen

 Few are aware of the risks that the pioneering airmen of the First World War took. On a Wing and a Prayer is a narrative history that conveys the perils of those early days, the thrills of learning to fly, and the horrors of war in the air at a time when pilots carried little defensive armament and no parachutes.

In 1914 aircrafts were a questionable technology, used for only basic reconnaissance. But by 1918, hastened by the terrible war, aircraft were understood to be the future of modern warfare. The war changed flying forever.

The stories are presented to the reader in a frank and open way, revealing the feelings of the men who defended the trenches from above and witnessed the war from a completely different perspective.

©2008 Joshua Levine (P)2008 WF Howes Ltd Air Forces Armed Forces Military World War

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All stars
Most relevant
great story for ex air cadet personell interesting to here adventures of the beginings or the ROYAL AIRFORCE

air survival

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Really this was excellent book. Listened to it from start to finish in one go. I actually took a long route home from Dublin to Mayo so I could get it all in. Very different era. So much dedication gives rise to so many questions. Why did they jump in planes knowing full well their lifespan was measured in weeks. Some of the stories were very funny particularly those relating to the training exercises. I think a certain Irish airline must be using their training manual. Enjoy
Ciaran

Fantastic

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Something I knew little about. The book covers the fledgling flying corps in WW1. Lots of stories will leave the reader hoping for more.

Interesting History

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I can’t praise this too highly. It encompasses personal memoirs and diaries, and never loses complete realism. No polemics; rather, it is as if you are joined by a golden thread to those who were there. A privilege, and a sense of loss when finished.

A magnificent book

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If you could sum up On a Wing and a Prayer in three words, what would they be?

Sheds new light

What other book might you compare On a Wing and a Prayer to, and why?

Empty chairs

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The account given by an RE8 pilot who was shot down but survived.

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

As ever, I was left with a sense of admiration for the aviators.

Any additional comments?

Captures the mood of the time perfectly. My grandfather was one of the very first pilots in the RFC. I have always read whatever books on the topic that come along. This book relates many accounts well known to the enthusiast but critically it deals with two aspects of the time which are seldom discussed. Learning to fly before the war began and also the lot of the less glamorous and highly vulnerable aviators who ploughed up and down the lines directing artillery and taking photographs. These accounts are revealing,indeed fascinating.

The Forgotten Heroes

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