A Reason to Live (American Heroes Series)

By John Harold Robinson

Scraped lower corner of DJ. Tattered DJ edges. Inscription inside front cover. No markings. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0916693120
• ISBN13: 9780916693121
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Castle Books Inc
• Length: 444 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

"A Reason to Live"

This is a book that shows the sacrifices that were made by the WWII generation to protect the freedoms we share as Americans today. Mr. Robinson gives a unique perspective to the bombing raids over Europe and the great lose of American life. There are numerous books on the market discussing the decision making from the pilot or wing commander's point of view. This perspective comes from an enlisted man, a true "citizen soldier" that was asked by his friends and neighbors to defend the American way of life. Many times throughout this book, I felt that I was in the plane beside Mr. Robinson and the other crew members as they flew dangerous mission over France and Germany. The vivid recollections and attention to detail makes this a great read for those that enjoy and thrive on WWII history. The writing style and explanation makes this a great read for those all from the WWII historians to the average reader. The personal story of a newly married young man that has to leave his wife and fight in one of the most dangerous spots in WWII will make you want to cry, laugh, leave you on the edge or your seat and never want to put the book down. This book also offers a special bonus. It gives you a glimpse of the war time service of actor Jimmy Stewart. Stewart had such a private attitude about his war time service that not much was written (or known) about this time in his life. Mr. Robinson shares many Stewart stories that could only be told properly by someone there. This is a book that will hold a special place on my bookshelf.

One of the best books by a member of the Eighth Air Force

History sometimes presents us with a calloused, birdseye view of war that never quite seems to hit home with what the actual experience is like. Often neglected is the story of those brave young airmen, sailors, and soldiers that must endure the daily anxiety and consequences of warfare. To learn, feel,and experience the true horrors of war we often must turn to those who write first person accounts of their experiences. John Robinson's book is a classic in the sense that he begins his story when he leaves his young wife and continues his story through gunnery school and his 25 missions with the fledging 445th bomb group. This is not a book about tactics, battles, or leaders, but vividly tells of a young man who performed his duty against overwhelming odds with nothing more than a sense of duty and an understandable love for his beautiful wife who he was committed to returning home to. It's a wonderful, fulfilling story because it not only tells us of John Robinson, but also of every airman who served in the Eighth Air Force. Robinson effectivley provides us with an accurate and honest first hand account of what it was like to serve as a gunner in a B-24. We can feel the tension between missions and his sense of grief as crews are lost. He also gives the reader an understanding of the living condition at Tibenham, England and the special relationship our airmen shared with the English. As someone who had a relative serve with the 445th and was killed in action on the Gotha mission, this book had special significance. Despite this, Robinson's book is very special and should be read by everyone who shares a feeling of pride with those who bravely served in the armed forces.

I went back in time

My father served in the 445th Bomb Group and I always wanted to know what he may have experienced. John captures the history and emotion of flying and fighting on bombers along with the tragedy. You become deeply involved in his thoughts and find yourself rooting for his survival so he can get back home to his wife. I could hardly put it down.

A Reason to Live

A tastefully written and exciting account of life as a gunner in the U.S. Air Force B-24 Heavy Bombers durning World War II. I just couldn't put it down until the last page. If you want to know what those men, only a third of whom survived, really went through both physically and mentally - this is THE book. My sincere thanks to John Harold Robinson for keeping these memories alive.

His Story Is Part of Our Family History

"A Reason To Live" provided our family with the never before know facts about being an enlisted flyer with the 445th Bomb Group(H). Robbie flew beside our Uncle Lyle C. Duzan on many of his missions. His story represents everything our family wanted to know about what it was like to endure such a challenge. The deep love and devotion described so well by Robbie mirrors the service and lives of Uncle Lyle and his wife Hazel. It will always serve as our masterpiece in personal history and dedication to duty. For any person whose relative served in WW II, this is the book that tells "what is was like", "how he felt", "who he depended upon", "what the living conditions were like", and "coping with it all". It will lead you from training to combat in what can only be described as "moving targets" for the Germans. You'll ride the roller coaster of going on missions and wondering if you'll get back. And then, in the end, you'll come to understand he had "A Reason To Live". THANK YOU, Robbie, for everything!