First Light: The Phenomenal Fighter Pilot Bestseller

Just flat out an outstanding aviation memoir from WW2. There are a couple of elements that make this an excellent memoir. One of the things Wellum does is to focus on a few training days, missions, and off days instead of going back through each day of his log book. In the process he's able to offer a remarkably descriptive discussion of the training or combat mission and really help you understand what he was feeling and thinking as opposed to a blow by blow recap. He is an excellent, evocative writer who is able to bring a mission to life - is it being ambushed by a 109 while trying to finish off a Heinkel 111, or going out for convoy escort duty in highly questionable weather, or being dumped as a freshly trained cadet onto a squadron in the midst of combat. It also helps that he joined a Spitfire squadron as the Battle of Britain was ramping up.A great, insightful read.

A well written account of a young pilots war service. Quite sobering when you consider that he was only a teenager at the outbreak of WW2 and what he and his colleagues went through during those dark days. It made me appreciate the sacrifices that their generation made.This book and also one by his fellow Battle of Britain pilot Tom Neil (Silver Spitfire) are a must-read.

Amazing book, one of the beast reads out there especially if you are a pilot. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Conforme à sa réputation

Great book! ideal for both: Sky's and real war's stories fanatics.The author is incredibly humble about his own achivements and has quite a direct very well delivered way of writing.Lots of pictures and some maps.Frankly more of the above plus some technical drawings of the planes involved would have been worth spending more for the book. At least that is my opinion and why i did not rate it 5 stars.