Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Rickenbacker: An Autobiography” as Want to Read:
Rickenbacker: An Autobiography
Here is Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's story, told in his own words, from his racing days at the Indianapolis 500, to his time as a pilot on the Western Front in 1918 where he emerged as America's top fighter ace, his postwar career in the airline industry, his World War II service as a special confidential consultant to the U.S. government, and his subsequent postwar life a
...more
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Rickenbacker
,
please sign up
.
Be the first to ask a question about Rickenbacker
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
204)
Eddie Rickenbacker’s autobiography is the life story of a very humble American hero, who was not afraid of failure and in turn lived a well fulfilled life. This is more than a tale of a great hero, or a rags-to-riches story. Considering all his talents and accomplishments Rickenbacker was a basic honest man, firmly grounded with God, country and family in his heart. He seriously faced death on several occasions, but his lifelong belief in God and passion to live pulled him through. His testimony
...more
Jan 08, 2008
Angela
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Angela by:
Captain Carol
This man was amazing. What's more, he has been forgotten if you go by the history books I read in school. Rickenbacker was an outspoken critic of FDR, which might explain why he was dropped from our history classes? Anyway, he had a hand in a lot of technology pots and political intrigues that he helped develop to later shape our lives... His near-death experiences are remarkable, and he weaves the tale so skillfully that I actually feel like I understand what it means to be dying (thankfully, i
...more
view 1 comment
Sep 23, 2014
Mark Singer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
biography
,
world-war-i
,
world-war-ii
,
soviet-union
,
military
,
history
,
aviation
,
business
,
american-history
What an amazing life! Rickenbacker was a self made man, who went from mechanical genius, race car driver, air ace, car manufacturer, to head of airline, all the while traveling the world and cheating death numerous times.
This is one of the better autobiographies I have ever read.
This is one of the better autobiographies I have ever read.
Jul 03, 2014
Kelly
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in the life of a real man
Recommended to Kelly by:
children's librarian
The inspiring story of Eddie Rickenbacker's life kept me up nights. This was a man who lived during a time when men were men, and they did not apologize for it. His life was full of honor, integrity, and courage, and his story is a must-read for every American.
Great book so far. Unintentionally great management philosophy book. Eddie has to have been the luckiest person on Earth! This cat have more than nine lives.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
When I started reading "His Majesty's Dragon" by Naomi Novik, I was instantly reminded of "Rickenbacker" that I read as a teenager. I was drawn into the idea of bringing discipline and precision to the potentially fatal randomness of ariel combat. Eddie Rickenbacker was a hero in the most classical sense of the word. His autobiography provides a rich tapestry of what made up a WWI pilot and the early air corps. The adventure and danger presented are riveting, but told in the ...more
When I started reading "His Majesty's Dragon" by Naomi Novik, I was instantly reminded of "Rickenbacker" that I read as a teenager. I was drawn into the idea of bringing discipline and precision to the potentially fatal randomness of ariel combat. Eddie Rickenbacker was a hero in the most classical sense of the word. His autobiography provides a rich tapestry of what made up a WWI pilot and the early air corps. The adventure and danger presented are riveting, but told in the ...more
I went into O'Keefe's Book Store and asked for anything on WWI and was given this book. At first I had the impulse to give it back to Mr. O'Keefe, but then I thought that since I didn't know much about "Capt Eddie" I had better take it. What happened was that I got an exciting tour of the early days of Columbus, Ohio, including the importance of child labor. He started factory work at age 13 and in the seventh grade (the laws said 14 and graduated from the 8th but he "stretched the truth". He wa
...more
This man helped shape the airline industry. When he was young he was a race car driver. At the age of twenty seven he joined the forces in WWI as a fighter pilot. On the early morning of November 11, 1918, he flew across the lines that separated the armies. What he witnessed at eleven o'clock was troops of men, tired of war and blood, rush out and meet each other to finalize the end of the war. He was an ace during that conflict. He was an amazing man. He crashed in the Pacific Ocean and was adr
...more
I was probably 14 or 15 when I read this book and what's stayed with me is the awe I felt at this great pioneer and adventurer. While the details are very fuzzy now, I'd recommend this book in a heartbeat, and will probably read it again someday. They don't make men like Eddie anymore.
Was part of my Dad's collection. I read it in 2001. Will continue to pass it along to my friends interested in American History.
This novel was meaningful to me because it showed us the struggles of a World War I veteran before and after the war.
interesting insights and anecdotes about the history of aviation, not only in the US but the world.
The fascinating story of a man who fully embraced the opportunities in the United States during the last century.
An amazing man who lived a life that most can only dream about.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was America's most successful fighter ace in the war. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters, and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.
More about Eddie V. Rickenbacker...
