Pilote de Guerre = Flight to Arras, Antoine de Saint-ExupéryFlight to Arras is a memoir by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Born: June 29, 1900, Lyon, France - Died: July 31, 1944, Mediterranean Sea) Written in 1942, it recounts his role in the French Air Force as pilot of a reconnaissance plane during the Battle of France in 1940.The book condenses months of flights into a single terrifying mission over the town of Arras. Saint-Exupéry was assigned to Reconnaissance Group II/33 flying th...

I had already read some of Saint-Exupéry's earlier works and was charmed by his typical combination of action and reflection: both ‘Vol de Nuit’ (1931Night Flight) and ‘Terre des Hommes’ (1939, Wind, Sand and Stars) offer unique insights into how modern man through machines ( in this case always airplanes) is confronted with the essence of existence. Still, those two works didn't really captivate me: they got a little stuck in non-committal reflections, even if they floated on the adrenaline of

I got interested in this book after it was mentioned in another book I recently read – Victoire by Roland Philipps. Up to then I had only heard of Saint-Exupéry as the author of The Little Prince.In the early stages of WW2 Saint-Exupéry was a reconnaissance pilot with the French Air Force, in an aircraft that also carried an observer and a tail gunner. Undertaking missions on their own, these planes were easy targets for enemy fighters and had a horrifying casualty rate.The fighters come down on...

As a kid growing up in a safe suburb of a safe country at a safe time I really did not think about things all that much.I picked up and read this book because it was about flying and WW11 both topics I was fascinated by.But this book, while I have trouble remembering the specifics, let me know that people have an inner life that is complex and compelling. That one can be brave physically and spiritually. Saint-Exupery is thinking about why the hell he is on a near suicide mission with little pro...

Late in May 1940, Saint-Exupéry, then a 40-year old fighter pilot in the decimated French air force, flew a suicide mission in a reconnaissance plane. Against all the odds the crew returns in one piece. But in the crucible above the northern French city of Arras, something happens. Saint-Ex returns as a changed man. His despondency and scepticism about the war effort had been sublimated into a deep understanding of his position in this conflict. The final chapters of the book take the form of a

This is such a great book. It is the one I would take with me if I were going off to war or facing certain death. Autobiographical, describes 24 hours in the life of Fighter Pilot Antoine de Saint Exupéry in France in 1940-all his thoughts, memories and feelings before, during and after flying a suicide mission.The theme is "All for One and One for All" and The Brotherhood of Soldiers.Who should read it: Fans of The Little Prince and those interested in WWII and Aviation. Belongs on a shelf next...

I have to admitt, I couldn't wait to finish reading this book. Although the concept of this book is interested, the author and main character lost my interested when he started trailing off.Flight to Arras is about a pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and his crew on a single reconnaissance mission durning WWII. He writes about a young soldiers thoughts about receiving a mission from his caption knowing that he and his crew will not survive and accepting this mission knowing his fate. Sounds good?...

This book was a 3 star read that slowly but surely progressed to a 5 star read. I feel bad that it took me so long to actually appreciate it in its full glory, but I guess that’s just how it is with some books. They take time to sink in. Now, since I like to think I’m actually cool because I read the same book twice in two different languages, here is what I like most from the English translation;**Disclaimer; This is not a review of the book per se but rather quotes I really liked. Not all of t...

When chance awakens love, everything takes it place in a man in obedience to that love, and love brings him the sense of distance. When, in the Sahara, the Arabs would surge up in the night round our campfires and warn us of a coming danger, the desert would spring to life for us and take on meaning. Those messengers had lent it distance. Music does something like this. The humble odor of an old cupboard does it when it awakens and brings memories to life. Pathos is the sense of distance.But I k...

As French forces retreat before the German invasion in WWII, a pilot in the outnumbered French Air Force writes of flying a mission he did not expect to survive and his thoughts afterwards.“The fact that we had been sent for meant that we were to be ordered out on a sortie. We had reached the last days of May, 1940, a time of full retreat, of full disaster. Crew after crew was being offered up as a sacrifice. It was as if you dashed glassfuls of water into a forest fire in the hope of putting it...

'Flight to Arras' numbers among the best books I've read this year.Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (colloquially known as Saint-Ex), author of the astonishingly beautiful 'Wind, Sand and Stars' and 'Night Flight,' was an aviator and writer. He began his career in the French Air Force in the 1920s, went on to become a mail pilot in both the Sahara and the Andes, flew reconnaissance planes back in France during the German invasion of France in 1940, he escaped the Nazis. After 27 months of writing and sp...

Short autobiographical novel by the author of “The Little Prince”, set during (and published only 2 years after) his service as a reconnaissance pilot for the French during the 1940 German invasion which service the majority of his fellow flyers did not survive. The book’s action takes place on a single reconnaissance mission low over the occupied town of Arras to gather intelligence which due to the breakdown of the French infrastructure will and can never be used. While flying and even under h...

A beautiful work, as always. But this felt more personal than any of the other Saint-Exupery's works I've read, probably because it was. He remembers his experiences while being a pilot in the war (hence, the original title "Pilote de Guerre", which, I'll admit, I like better than the English version), and the book is filled with his thoughts and ideas, portraying the war and the people in it with perfect eloquence.I have read many books about wars, from many perspectives: WWI Latvian, WWI Germa...

Not real close to what I enjoy in my favorite Saint-Exupery writings, but didn't disappoint either. While I do enjoy existentialism, here it takes a turn for the vague after a certain point, where a lot of what he says could be applied in many situations, and not exclusively his. Having the general context helps a lot, but one could probably gain much more insight from this by doing some deeper historical research.

After flying international airmail during the 30s, Saint-Exupery flew reconnaissance for France in WWII. Flight to Arras is nominally about a particular flight made over enemy-held territory while Hitler's forces were in the process of overrunning France. The details of that flight are frightening, but the real power of the book lies in Saint Exupery's meditations on the tragedy and uselessness of the conflict, doomed as it is, and then on his further thoughts, beautifully expressed, on the sta

A book of the tragedy and despair of defeat and facing assured death in war as the author flies a sortie over a French city in World War II and the lessons learned about life during that experience. One of the most beautifully written books I have ever read. Saint-Exupery has my heart, his philosophy my soul.

Actually closer to 4.5 stars!

Very beautiful book about what death, war and risk really are when you actually live them. The whole book is about being responsible and becoming a Man. Anyway is not the most beautiful book that Saint-Ex wrote for adults.

The writing in this book is gorgeous and there are so many beautiful quotes in it! Most of the time I had to just stop and appreciate the words I was reading because it was just so good to look at.

intimidating, philosophical and poetic. allegories inside. a true Exuperian style and truly not a page turner. reading this piece is a painful experience, one goes through the most intimate of thoughts, memories and desires which is inconvenient itself, not to mention the context of the story. pain is sweeter now. you`re the pilot, you`re meaningless surviror heading nowhere but to the next chapter of... of what?