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Operation Overflight

A Memoir of the U-2 Incident

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About this listen

 U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is a central character in the movie “Bridge of Spies” starring Tom Hanks. In his classic 1970 memoir, Powers reveals the full story behind what happened in the most sensational espionage case in Cold War history. After his U-2 reconnaissance plane was shot down, Powers was captured on May 1, 1960 and endured 61 days of rigorous interrogation by the KGB, a public trial, a conviction for espionage, and the start of a 10-year sentence. After nearly two years, the US government obtained his release from prison in a dramatic exchange for convicted Soviet spy Rudolph Abel.

The narrative is a tremendously exciting suspense story about a man who was labeled a traitor by many of his countrymen but who emerged a Cold War hero. 20th Century Armed Force Freedom & Security Military Military & War Military Science Modern Politics & Government Espionage Aviation Air Force War Memoir Soviet Union US Air Force Russia Imperial Japan Cold War
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a very interesting story of the incident from the man that was there in the thick of it all. I think gary was not treated well by his government or the agency he worked for. really enjoyed this.

Overflight

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A great listen and very detailed without getting bogged down with technical or over complex theories of the incident. It's a great narration coming from Garry Powers perspective from beginning to end. I enjoyed listening to the book from beginning to end. You get to understand the events of the incident and the political ramifications as well as the personal and political ramifications after the pilots release and return to the United States. Worth the purchase

Interesting and informative narration of the U2 incident

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This is an extraordinary account of the incident and clarifies many of the key issues. Powers was clearly a highly respected and accomplished pilot and an honourable man, yet political pressures tarnished his name, to my mind, unnecessarily.

This is a moving and beautifully written book by a highly talented man.

Probably one of the most important memoirs of the Cold War

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This is a truly excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the cold war even though it is but a small chapter.
It is another example of how the political wheelers and dealers of the state will shift their blame on to the people it has shackled by regulation, so they cannot fight back, even when those very people are the most patriotic members of that society.

A small but world changing episode of the cold war.

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