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Packed full of wartime danger and bravado, this biography of United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Victor Tatelman spans the entirety of the second World War. Signing up to give his life direction and do his part, Vic's enlistment predates the attack on Pearl Harbor. Drawn immediately with the rest of the nation into the bloody conflict, Vic uses his experience flying aircraft and his experience in math to make his way through training and into the Pacific theater. Running numerous bombing and reconnaissance missions against the Japanese, Vic and his squadron are a tight-knit group, finding levity even in such a dark time from within the ranks of their camaraderie and their leave into Australia. Near the end of the war, Vic's role shifts into more of an intelligence-based desk job, but it isn't long before he finds an excuse to head back into the dangerous skies above Japanese territory.
Moore's portrayal of Tatelman is certainly that of a hero, but not an infallible figure. Readers routinely see Vic accidentally volunteering for more work or occasionally making a fool of himself while grounded, contrasted starkly by the cool, calm, and poised persona that comes to life during bombing runs or dogfights. The "big picture" history in this book is light; readers spend more time learning about Vic and the specific activities of him and his squadron, but information about the Japanese bombing of Oregon and wartime plans of the Pentagon as the war raged on are interesting little details that come to light through Vic's story. At times suspenseful, humorous, and romantic, This biography succeeds in telling the story of one man who had a significant role in shaping history as part of the military. The journey is entertaining, enlightening, and worth learning about every step of the way.