Product Description

This text documents the chivalry and valour of the combat aviator, Saburo Sakai, who fought American fighter pilots and, with 64 kills, would survive World War II as Japan's greatest living ace. This book traces his experiences from fighter-pilot school to the early Japanese victories; from his 600 mile fight for life from Guadalcanal to his base in Rabaul, to the story of the now handicapped veteran's return to the air during the final months of World War II. This book has been written by Martin Caidin from Saburo Sakai's own memoirs and journalist Fred Saito's interviews with the fighter pilot.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #851676 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

A fantastic view from the other side. Outstanding.
We sometimes forget that layer upon layer of patently false propaganda was created by the U.S. Government during World War II for consuption by the American population. This book cuts through these layers to reveal men, fighter pilots, not unlike the Americans they faced in many ways. This book gives the reader an understanding of what life what like for Sakai and his fellow pilots and helps explain mistakes made by the Japanese high command concerning pilot training and aircraft development. Mistakes which may have shortened the war and certainly saved many American lives. Sakai, who grew up poor but of a Samurai family (hence the title "Samurai"), while revealing the failures of the Japanese high command also gives an insight into the "Bushido" ("Warrior's Way") which debunks many of the myths which have sprung up about it. Even after losing an eye, Sakai continued to fly in combat and was invited to join the Japanese Self-Defense Force following the war (he declined). I recommend this book to anyone who truly studies World War II or is interested in aerial combat.

A book which is both exciting and moving
Saburo Sakai died in September 2000, but his memory will live on through this stirring and unforgettable account of his wartime exploits. Trained to an incredibly high degree by an unforgiving and perfectionist system which rejected more than half of the candidates who sought to become fighter pilots, Sakai and his comrades cut a swathe through the ill-prepared opposition facing them at the start of The Pacific War. Yet, the tide turned against Japan and most of its great pilots were lost in doomed battles. Sakai's story takes in both the epic sweep of this contest between nations in the vast arena of the Pacific and the more intimate, personal experiences which marked his life.

Fascinating Story of a Japanese Fighter Ace
This book is a must for any history buff or anyone interested in what the "other side" of World War II was like. This work chronicles the career of Saburo Sakai and his many air battles throughout World War II. His words debunk many myths about Japanese pilots (he even admits to turning back from a suicide mission) and gives one a personal feel to the historical events that unfolded around him. One can also plot the technological climb of aircraft as Sakai describes how adversaries steadily got better and better. This book would even be good reading for "peaceniks" who think development of new aircraft and weapons are a waste of money. They will see through Sakai's work how one superior fighter plane (the Zero) was able to command the skies in the Pacific war for several years until better aircraft were turned out by the U.S. In the future, the U.S. may not be so lucky. This is a superior book and is one of the best written about World War II.