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I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: An Autobiography
After Pearl Harbor, he led America’s flight to victory
General Doolittle is a giant of the twentieth century. He did it all.
As a stunt pilot, he thrilled the world with his aerial acrobatics. As a scientist, he pioneered the development of modern aviation technology.
During World War II, he served his country as a fearless and innovative air warrior, organizing and leading ...more
General Doolittle is a giant of the twentieth century. He did it all.
As a stunt pilot, he thrilled the world with his aerial acrobatics. As a scientist, he pioneered the development of modern aviation technology.
During World War II, he served his country as a fearless and innovative air warrior, organizing and leading ...more
Paperback
,
560 pages
Published
April 24th 2001
by Bantam
(first published 1991)
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There was a time when every American knew the story of the Doolittle raid on Tokyo, just four months and a week after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Since I've been working as a volunteer tour guide at a major air museum, however, I've discovered this is no longer true, so every time I walk the group past our B-25 Mitchell bomber, I retell the story. It was only natural, then, that I would turn to Doolittle's autobiography to learn more about this aviation pioneer.
And pioneer he was. One o ...more
And pioneer he was. One o ...more
May 31, 2013
Liam Townsend
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
aviation
,
biographical
,
engineering
,
history
,
japan
,
technology
,
ww2
,
europe
,
chinese
Despite the surname, Doolittle did it all. His autobiography recounts his early career as a boxer, pioneering service in aviation, success as a racer and test pilot, and instrumental role in the Pacific and Mediterranean theater. He earned a Ph.D from MIT, as well as a silver star, three Flying Crosses, two Service Medals, and, of course, the Medal of Honor. On top of that, he won the era's most prestigious trophies: the Bendix, Thompson, and Schneider. As if this weren't enough, he ended his ca
...more
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Interesting book. I was pretty familiar with the Doolittle raid on Japan but wasn't familiar with his technical work prior to WWII in putting together safe instrument flying/landing/takeoff procedures. I was also not very aware of his additional command roles in Africa and Europe after the Doolittle raid.
A passage that made me laugh: "My first vist to Chequers was an experience about which I wish I could recall more. We had a few drinks and supper and then he (Churchill) ordered up a movie. Aft ...more
A passage that made me laugh: "My first vist to Chequers was an experience about which I wish I could recall more. We had a few drinks and supper and then he (Churchill) ordered up a movie. Aft ...more
I thought this book was fantastic, and not just because General James "Jimmy" Doolittle was a famous pilot who was best known for "Doolittle's Raiders" - the aircraft carrier launched raid of B-25 bombers of Japan. They had no way of getting back to safety, other than to hope they had enough fuel to get to China. But Doolittle was an amazing aeronautic engineer as well. He got his start in air racing in the 30s, then went on to fight in the African campaign in WW2. After the war, he worked to fo
...more
Not sure I will finish this--but much impressed by the escapades recounted in the first chapter. General Doolittle leads a team of fifteen planes to strategically bomb Japan months after the Pearl Harbor attack. On top of the dangers of going in low--even as low as just above roof top height--in enemy territory, they can't make it to safety before their fuel will run out so they have to bail out, in the dark, over who knows what. And that's how it is for most of the other planes in the mission a ...more
"Jimmy Doolittle, I Could Not Have Been so Lucky Again." by Jimmy Doolittle 1991. It seams more often than not, autobiographers are overly concerned with their legacy, tending to omit or embellish, essentially rewriting their own history. With out falling into the aforementioned category, with out pretext or self promotion, humble, accomplished and deep into his nineties, Jimmy Doolittle writes with clarity and honesty inviting the reader to partake in the remarkable journey of his life. The tit
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In spite of having read extensively about World War II, somehow the only think I knew about Doolittle was the raid on Tokyo. Reading this book corrects that oversight.
This is, of course, his autobiography. But it's more than that. It's also the story of the development of aviation from the Wright brothers up to the mid-1950's. It covers more recent ground than that, but not in any sort of detail.
As with any other memoir, it's necessary to apply certain filters. He's the hero of the book and trea ...more
This is, of course, his autobiography. But it's more than that. It's also the story of the development of aviation from the Wright brothers up to the mid-1950's. It covers more recent ground than that, but not in any sort of detail.
As with any other memoir, it's necessary to apply certain filters. He's the hero of the book and trea ...more
While is drags slightly and can get bogged down with technical facts (which are not for me as I know little about planes), it is by far one of my favorite autobiographies.
There is a large amount of technical plane jargon, but by the time the book is over you have one of the fullest detailed accounts of the air raid in Tokyo, as well as a feeling like you could easily have sat and drank a beer with Jimmy Doolittle while he told you about it.
There is a large amount of technical plane jargon, but by the time the book is over you have one of the fullest detailed accounts of the air raid in Tokyo, as well as a feeling like you could easily have sat and drank a beer with Jimmy Doolittle while he told you about it.
Amazing story of a WWI pilot who commanded probably the most daring air mission of WWII when he led a squadron of B-25 medium bombers off the deck of the USS Hornet to strike the Japanese mainland with little hope of safe return, later commanded a successful American airline company.
This story is the story of every American that ever wanted to do better. The inspiration in this book is simply going to overtake anywone interested in the Second World War, the First World War, the in-between-war-years, and beyond the Cold War. General Doolittle was a great American, a patriot, a person that believed in taking care of family first. He wasn't perfect mind you but this poor kid from the streets of Los Angeles would grow to become one the foremost inspirational stories of the colo
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while it wasn't a cliffhanger, Doolittles story is an amazing one and it has good life lessons. a definite read for aviation/history buffs. i really liked finding out the reason for the books title.
I won't labor the obvious but to say that this is the first book to read if you want to learn about General Doolittle. The title refers to the outcomes of nearly everything he took on.
A first rate memoir. Detailed with enough honesty to remain interesting seventy years after the key events occurred. The most surprising anecdote was to hear Doolittle describe how poorly regarded he was by Eisenhower. The Tokyo raid narrative is crisp and thrilling, without coming across as self-serving.
Very detailed biography. I did not realize he had so many aviation accomplishments, beyond the Tokyo raid.
Well written and very informative of author's life in pre-war America. Tells of his pioneering efforts to get higher octane aviation gasoline available in quantity. This helped our fighters to achieve better performance than most of their Axis counterparts.
Excellent autobiography by James Doolittle. He experienced so much in his life. Born at the dawn of avation, he participated in it's genesis and lived to see the jet age and men on the moon. Oh yea, he also lead the raid on Tokyo n WWII!
I really enjoyed the majority of this book; however some of the engineering aspects got a bit tedious but perhaps that is because I'm not an engineer. The story of his childhood, learning to fly, the war, and the air races were very interesting.
The autobiography of one of America's aviation pioneers, a man whose physical reactions were quick enough to enable him to be the only man to successfully race a GeeBee Supersportster racer.
Lost interest at about 1935. He begins pretty much at birth, and goes through every detail of his early flying years. Which was interesting, but after a while.... zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Mostly very good, but dragged a bit as he covered in great detail the number of sorties flown in Europe during WWII. Personal aspects were much more interesting.
Jan 23, 2013
Dave
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-that-inspired-or-captivated-m
Doolittle was an amazing aviator and pioneer whose exploits and daring is well documented in this excellent read. A must for any serious aviation enthusiast.
Le livre est vraiment fabuleux. On. Retrouve entrelacée la vie d'un "cowboy" américain et l'histoire du monde à laquelle il a participé.
There are two people in the history of everything who can have a resume longer than one page: Alexander Hamilton and this guy.
A great book. I never realized what Jimmy Doolittle did for aviation. He was a true American hero.
Doolittle was a great guy and his exploits amazing, but this book was a bit too "shopping list" for me.
A slow start, but then it got interesting, but mainly because I am an aviation afficiando.
I read it way too long ago to give an accurate review.
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