Ash Wednesday '45

By Frank R. Westie

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1884739091
• ISBN13: 9781884739095
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Partners Pub Group
• Length: 504 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.3" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Best Air Combat Scenes

Frank R. Westie waited a long time to write his novel roughly based on his 8th Air Force experience as a B17 pilot in WWII. It must have been time well spent, however, because this is a mature,yet vividly detailed and realistic statement on the ultimate price of war. It sharply throws the reader back there to 1945. It tells a compelling,two-tiered love story, both of a romance with a mysterious,aristocratic Englishwoman,and of the bond that existed between gruff,seasoned airmen who have tested their friendship and mutual respect over way too many missions to Germany. It depicts the inner turmoil of a man, the pilot protagonist, not normally prone to self-reflection. Combat fatigue is the overt cause,and the descriptions of air combat in this book are among the most bracingly precise that you will ever read. No small accomplishment if you know what's out there. I have always suspected that survivors of WWII air combat never really completely came home. Part of them, perhaps the best part, is still up there, back there, flying, fighting, trying to ransome the dead and somehow, save us all. Author Westie's ghostly clarion call proves the point elegantly. An unforgettable book about an unforgettable time, of Flying Fortresses and Liberators, and the flesh and blood that powered them to victory, at no small cost. May it reprint soon.

An outstanding aviation account from WWII England

Frank Robert Westie tells an indepth tale from his experiences during WWII. A beautiful love story is woven through a thoughtful account of American B-17 flights over Nazi held Europe. He probes the question, "Just what should a war hero do when he is ordered to do something clearly against his conscience." It is certainly one of the best aviation stories I have read and ranks with those of Nevil Shute Norway & Ernest Gann. Pilots and non-pilots who want vivid accounts of that great air war will cherish this book.

REALISM AND HIGH EMOTION. I WAS THERE!

Mr. Westie through his words gave me vivid recall of events I had long forgotten. Recommended to all who have an interest in"being there" during our days and nights.

Great book!! Beautiful story, with unforgettable scenes.

A powerful story as can only be told by one who was there. I had a chance to meet the author in Traverse City, MI at a book signing we were both attending for our respective books. We traded books and I have to say it was by far the best book I've read in the past year. I read Ash Wednesday in two days and wished I had taken longer to enjoy such a wonderful story. The author blends realistic characters and a rich setting into a believable plot. There are scenes in this book that you will envision in your minds eye for a long time. I can almost hear the "Big Band" swing music of the war everytime I see the book in my library. Don't miss it!! KCThorne