The Eagle's Last Flight by Ron Standerfer. The story of an Air Force Fighter pilot during the Cold War and Vietnam

Standerfer Stands Stellar, July 8, 2006

Reviewer:

Col Lester G. Frazier "Les Frazier" (Georgetown, Texas)

Standerfer follows the life of a young fighter pilot caught up flying the F-100 jet fighter during the war in South East Asia. Interwoven into this main theme are several sub-themes that dove-tail beautifully into overall scenario. Action is crackling, fast and breathtaking. Get this book and witness how difficult it is to put it down, once started.

Wannabe, June 17, 2006

Reviewer:

DON SHEPPERD "Don Shepperd, Author" (Tucson, AZ)

If you wannabe a fighter pilot, read this book. If you always wanted to be a fighter pilot 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

Charles Severns, Great book, March 23, 2006

Reviewer:

V. M. Severns

I can vouch for one chapter in the book. Tchepone, Laos, April 1, 1969. This chapter is based on fact. I was the FE on the Jolly Green that rescued "Skip" Ron Standerfer from Laos that day. We really were low on fuel. When we started our penetration for the rescue, we dumped down to 30 minutes fuel and requested a tanker meet us at 1,000 feet on the way out. We rescued both pilots, and hooked up with the tanker at 32 minutes.
In 2000 through contacts that my PJ on the mission had, we linked up with Ron on the internet. That was an exciting day. Ron is the only survivor that I was involved with rescuing that I have made contact with, and know how their lives turned out. The book isn't 100% correct but it is based on fact.

What a Great Story!, March 20, 2006

Reviewer:

T. Johnson (Red Bank, NJ)

Frankly, I expected this book to be a high-flying techno thriller like the books from Tom Clancy or Dan Brown. To my great surprise, this book turned out to be a warm, funny, and very real love story. I had to slow down my normal reading speed for the book I was expecting; so I could savor the characters that the author drew with such deft touches. Instead of my usual mad dash to finish the book in one sitting, I returned to this book day after day to see what would happen to the people I had come to care about. Yes, the central character is a jet fighter pilot, but one without the unbelievable bravery, infallible judgment, and impossible skills so typical of other fictional fighter pilots. The author describes a real life, with real troubles, real victories, and real conflicts. This could be someone you actually know. The descriptions of this pilot's training and combat flying experiences rings with such truth that large chunks of the book must be autobiographical. Even more amazing are the insights into the inherent conflict between his flying and his relationship with the woman that he loves. This conflict is very clearly drawn from both his side and hers. Indeed, the central drama of the book is their relationship - and it is so well written by this first-time author. However, please do not read the last chapter first. Only if you have really lived alongside this man through the whole book, will it be, as it was for me, one of the most affecting final chapters that you have ever read.

What really drives a warrior, March 16, 2006

Reviewer:

Philip J. Bailey (Connecticut)

Those who roam the dark skies while we sleep are everyday heros. They are also husbands, fathers and seemingly huge egos that could not be more fragile without shattering at the slightest provocation. Standerfer brings us a character who never doubts his patriotism while frequently questions his ability to survive in a vocation where excellence is sometimes considered mediocre. The writer matures as the story unfolds. This is a must read and perhaps, read again.

A Life of Adventure, January 30, 2006

Reviewer:

Noelle Hoffman "Interested Reader" (New York) - See all my reviews

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!, January 27, 2006

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 irreverent humor. 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

A Fighter Pilot's Reward, January 20, 2006

Reviewer:

Ruth Barron A Real Estate Agent

The title ' The Eagle's Last Flight' would be the pilot's last flight. It is appropriate for the contents of the book. The cover invited me in. The relationship between Skip and Christie was believable and realistic. The tragedy was heart breaking. The life of an Air Force fighter pilot was most enlightening. The episode at Camp Desert Rock was shocking and leaves one pondering the happenings. The humor of the writer kept things light where needed. The character of Cactus Jack was laughable. 'Follow me lad and you will learn something' only later to say 'If you tell anyone in the squadron about this I will kill you.' The plane Skip was in being shot down. He floated out of the seat along with every item in the cockpit. Blinded by the debris and unable to move, he waited to see what the aircraft would do next. Without warning the aircraft rolled over and snapped into a tight inverted spin. I recommend this book to all readers. It felt as though I had lived this life through the writer, flying, funerals, drinking ( I even felt one of the most descriptive hangovers ever) laughing, crying, loving, dying. A great read.

Not just for men, January 17, 2006

Reviewer:

Michigan fan (Michigan USA)

Who would have guessed by the title that this book held such a wonderful love story. You will instantly bond with the main characters as you follow their lives through triumph and tragedy. Best to keep a box of tissues handy. Exceptionally written. It will grab you from the start and hold you to the very end. An excellent read for anyone.

Wow, What a Book!, December 26, 2005

Reviewer:

Virginia Reader

"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."

This Book Is Not Just For Men!, December 26, 2005

Reviewer:

A Fighter Pilot's Wife

My husband had long since retired from the Air Force when we met but he often entertained me with "war stories" about his days as a fighter pilot. Most of the time I listened with one ear. When he finished "The Eagle's Last Flight" and suggested I read it I didn't want to do it. Finally he twisted my arm and I read the first few pages. I was hooked! The flying part was interesting and easy to understand. But there was so much more to the story. For one thing, I was surprised to find a genuine love story intertwined in all the flying stuff...with enough enough tragedy to keep a box of Kleenex near at hand. And as I followed the lives of the main character and his wife I felt like I was standing beside them the entire way. As for the plight of the atomic veterans, I was shocked at how carelessly they had been treated. It's a story every American should be told and should even be taught in school. This book is not just for pilots, or even just for men for that matter. It's a fantastic read with something in it for everybody. I heartily recommend it.

Thumbs Up From A Fellow Fighter Pilot, December 26, 2005

Reviewer:

Mach Buster

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 didn't 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 didn't 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!!!!