The Eagle's Last Flight

By Ron Standerfer

Book Overview

Skip O'Neill lies dying of leukemia in a New York hospital, determined to live until the new millennium. His wasted body shows scant evidence of the man he once was-an Air Force fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran.

O'Neill's first assignment as a young lieutenant places him among hard drinking World War II-and Korean War-era fighter pilots who quickly teach him their ways. He almost washes out of pilot training but is persistent and manages to graduate. In Vietnam, he proves to be a skillful and courageous pilot who faces dangers of all kinds with equanimity. But the greatest-and most deadly danger-materializes years after O'Neill volunteers to be an observer at an atomic test site.

In the end, O'Neill decides that when his time comes, he will dash at it fearlessly. He anticipates being greeted by departed friends-but what awaits him is something totally unexpected.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595673287
• ISBN13: 9780595673285
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 404 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Wannabe

If you wannabe a fighter pilot, read this book. If you always wanted to be a fighter pilor and never were, read this book. If you were or are a fighter pilot, read this book. I guarantee enjoyment. This is one of the best books about flying fighters, life in the military, war and the humans who do it, all with the best of characters shrouded in history, mixed with realism, sex, joy, tragedy, sadness, mystery. I could feel the Gs, taste the martinis and smell the perfume. I felt like I knew the characters, or someone just like them, and saw every fighter pilot in "Skip" and every fighter pilot's wife in "Christy" - go get this book NOW - and put it on the top of your stack - you won't be disappointed - Don Shepperd, author and CNN Military Analyst

A Life of Adventure

As Skip looks back on his life as a fighter pilot, we experience the sheer joy & terror of flying and the terrible struggle of a man determined to carry on with a dangerous career while committed to his role as a husband and father. We are treated to hair-raising tales from the cockpit and colorful stories of male bonding, humor and romance. I found the book totally engrossing and entertaining and, once started, I couldn't put it down.

A Great Read!

My husband had read this book & loved it. He suggested that I might enjoy it but I thought of it as a man's book and initially resisted. However, the beautiful cover constantly intrigued me. When I sat down to read, I couldn't put it down. This is a real page turner! The author knows how to involve you in his loveable character's life & hook you until the end. Plus we loved the irrevent humour. It reminded us of Nelson De Mille's style- an author we both adore. We highly recommend this book & hope that there is a sequel in the works. The O'Briens

Wow, What a Book!

"I just finished this book and cried at the ending! WOW! Ron Standerfer knows how to tell a powerful story with sensitivity, without ever losing the reader's interest. I honestly had trouble putting it down. A powerful book written by an eloquent writer."

Thumbs Up From A Fellow Fighter Pilot

Okay, I'll admit it. I remember Ron Standerfer from the old days and know he is one of us---so I was determined to read his book. But the story was totally unexpected and literally blew me away! I expected a lot of "there I was at 50,000 feet" stories filled technical details and historical facts. What I didnt expect was a detailed, sensitive account of one man's life throughout the cold years from beginning to end---the hardships he and his family endured, the sometimes random deaths of his squadron mates in training accidents, the struggle to succeed in an extremely competitive environment--- he covered all the bases in a fast paced and powerful way. And I learned something I didnt know, namely the plight of the 250,000 or so military personnel that participated in the atomic tests during the 40s and 50s. What a tragedy! The Eagle's Last Flight is a fascinating story, superbly written, and eminently readable. You gotta read it!!!!