Inspirational WWII PilotMy Mum bought me this book when I was about 12 or 13. I still have it on my bookshelves, and the sight of where she cut off the corner of the paper cover, where the price had been, with her pinking shears, brings back fond memories.As for the book: it is the inspirational true story of WWII RAF fighter pilot, Group Captain Sir Douglas (Dogsbody) Bader CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, FRAeS, DL.Despite losing both his legs during peacetime, he signed up again when the Second Wor...

3⭐I read this book, along with Brickhill's more famous, The Great Escape, so very long ago that I have trouble separating them out from the subsequent movies that were made from each of them. I do recall I thought that the films followed each of them pretty closely, though I remember thinking that book's portrayal of Douglas Bader was of a grittier and grumpier individual than the movie. The one anecdote that stays with me for some reason is that after he was shot down and captured by the German...

Quite simply - a brilliantly told story about a brilliant man.

An inspirational, fantastic book!This book describes Douglas Bader's life as a child, through school, to RAF Cranwell (pilot training school), his accident, recovery, back to civvy street, back in to the RAF and pitting himself successfully against the Germans, his exploits as a prisoner of war and some of his post war occupations/experiences.And most of the above was carried out without any legs!It is quite staggering what he achieved. To get to Group Captain and inventing a whole school of tho...

"Reach for The Sky", Paul Brickhill, 1954. The air to air combat descriptions are absolutely superb. Obviously Brickhill worked closely with Douglas Bader while writing his biography. If I weren't already familiar with the legendary ace's ultimate fate, it would have been difficult to predict his future by reading the first few chapters. While stunting, Bader clips a wing tip and cartwheels his biplane. Both of his legs are amputated. Years later, after being re-qualified, he mistakenly takes of...

Not just a World War Two epic, documenting the incredible Battle of Britain exploits of Wing Commander Douglas Barder, but one of the most intimate biographies produced by Paul Brickhill, himself an Australian fighter pilot shot down and taken prisoner to Stalag Luft III, which produced 'The Great Escape' in 1949. He was also the author of other WWII classics as 'The Dam Busters', 'Escape or Die' as well as 'Reach for the Sky' from 1954.How many times have I watched the films made from these pub...

42 WORD REVIEW:Brickhill is firmly eulogistic (though not without cause) in detailing the extraordinary feats of double-amputee fighter pilot Douglas Bader, and also something of English life itself in the interwar period and during World War II. Robert Hardy’s audiobook reading captures the spirit.

Amazing story. Dragged a bit around 60% mark, but picked up again!

It took 3 weeks to make it through this book. Tough read: British vernacular, antiquated prose, and the author’s outright fawning over his subject… I finished it with no regrets but not sure I’d recommend this one to anyone looking for a good book on military history, leadership, etc. Oh well!

Ì read thùs book of my father's as a teenager in the late 60s and was incredibly moved by it. I plan to read it again if its available and take an older view. .

I’m not usually a fan of war stories (except holocaust books) but remember this one fondly and remember that it was one I reread a few times. I just recently noticed that it’s by the same author as The Great Escape, one of the few other war books I’ve enjoyed. This book was interesting and inspiring because it’s about a remarkable man. Douglas Bader was a British WW II fighter pilot, despite having lost both legs above the knee. Account of his life, including his amazing multiple escape attempts...

Simply amazing!

A good and interesting read.

Reach For The Sky, by Paul Brickhill was first published in 1954. It tells the story of Douglas Bader a British ace who lost both legs as a result of some aerobatics in a plane crash in 1931. Despite his incredible disability, when England declared war on Nazi Germany, Douglas convinced the British RAF to recommission him as a flyer in September 1939. Commanding many different squadrons, Captain Bader flew both hurricanes and spitfires for the RAF throughout the Battle of Britain. “Old emotions

4.5 stars Excellent! Douglas Bader was an incredible man and Paul Brickhill tells his story with a humour and intensity that can only be contributed to his own wartime experiences. ‘Reach for the Sky’ was written during Bader’s lifetime and the fact that he was friends with the author and actively consulted during its writing is apparent in the extensive dialogues and descriptions that give life to the story. Bader was a pioneer in the field of aviation, both for those with and without legs and

Indefatigable is the way I would describe my understanding of Douglas Bader. An inspiration at the highest level to millions the world over. Paul Brickhill, the author of this magnificent work certainly knew how to capture not only the story of this great man but his heart and spirit also. By the end of the book, you felt you knew this brave man intimately and if not, you certainly wish you did. I was fascinated all the way through and Brickhill's prose was so beautifully felt. For example, "But...

Great though I think the film is, books usually contain a little more detail and that is true here. Brickhill tells an amazing story very well, with just the right mix of action, suspense, humour and literary style. As he also wrote the Great Escape and the Dambusters, he clearly knows his onions yet never bogs the story down with detail or jargon. This ought to be on the school curriculum in UK. Quite brilliant. 5/5

The book I enjoyed, it is well written and although of it's time, was a page turner. Unfortunately Bader appears to be a divisive character in real life, which is only hinted at in the book, so as a factual account I have my doubts. I can only admire how he had the strength of character to recover from losing both his legs but as a person I don't think I would have enjoyed sharing a drink (orange juice for him) with him.

This is one of the best biographies I’ve read in a while. Following a terrible accident, Douglas Bader loses both of his legs, but refuses to let his disability slow him down. He drives cars, flies fighter planes, and constantly surpasses others’ expectations. His optimism and refusal to give up is an inspiration.

An inspiring story of a man overcoming having both his legs amputated to become a fighter pilot. He even escapes from the Nazis. He is an inspiration and a bit of a jerk. He seems like an actual, living, breathing person. Well written and fun to read.

This is the remarkable story of Douglas Bader, an RAF pilot during the Second World War who became an ace despite having lost both legs in an airplane crash. The fighter tactics he devised helped win the Battle of Britain. A stirring and inspiring story of triumph over adversity.

The story itself is amazing and remarkable. The writing is a little dry and lots of unfamiliar war terms that were hard to follow. Overall inspirational, particularly for anyone overcoming adversity.

My copy is published in this year (1954) but by Collins. Dust cover looks like that shown. A classic biography - of a different time but one we should remember an evaluate for ourselves. Read the book even if you have seen the film.

The life of Douglas Bader, who lost both legs and went on to be a WWII ace, best flight leader and tactician of aerial combat. A prisoner of war and a man who used his disabilities to help others overcome their remorse over their own disabilities.

A highly readable and influential book that led to a film and the bringing of Sir Douglas Bader's exploits to a wider audience.It's a tremendous account of a inspirational man who overcame adversity and reads as well today as when it was first published in the 1950s.

Douglas Bader was a British Royal Air Force WWI pilot who lost both legs after his plane crashed. This horrifying disability did not deter Bader. He enlisted to serve in WWII. Brickhill graphically describes Bader's coureageous missions, his aerial victories, and his capture and imprisonment in various POW camps. This biography will surely inspire all readers, especially teen age boys, to reach for the sky in pursuit of excellence.

I read this many years ago but it has stuck with me. Bader’s tales were legendary when I was a schoolboy in the 1970’s in England and his is a story of derring do, bravery, recklessness and a bloody minded indomitable spirit.

best story of courage and determination I've read in a while, equivalent to Zamperini's marvelous story of courage. The only difference being Bader had a choice, Zamperini didn't; neither one quit. These two men are a standard of courage unsurpassed.

How someone is able to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams and be a great example to others

Life Story of Douglas Bader - hero who, without legs, became a WW2 fighter pilot - went on to accomplish great achievements in his life - very inspirational.