Devotion

An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice

By: Adam Makos

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • From America’s “forgotten war” in Korea comes an unforgettable tale of courage by the author of A Higher Call.

“In the spirit of Unbroken and The Boys in the Boat comes Devotion.”—Associated Press • “Aerial drama at its best—fast, powerful, and moving.”—Erik Larson

Devotion tells the inspirational story of the U.S. Navy’s most famous aviation duo, Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown, and the Marines they fought to defend. A white New Englander from the country-club scene, Tom passed up Harvard to fly fighters for his country. An African American sharecropper’s son from Mississippi, Jesse became the navy’s first Black carrier pilot, defending a nation that wouldn’t even serve him in a bar.

While much of America remained divided by segregation, Jesse and Tom joined forces as wingmen in Fighter Squadron 32. Adam Makos takes us into the cockpit as these bold young aviators cut their teeth at the world’s most dangerous job—landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier—a line of work that Jesse’s young wife, Daisy, struggles to accept.

Deployed to the Mediterranean, Tom and Jesse meet the Fleet Marines, boys like PFC “Red” Parkinson, a farm kid from the Catskills. In between war games in the sun, the young men revel on the Riviera, partying with millionaires and even befriending the Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Taylor. Then comes the conflict that no one expected: the Korean War.

Devotion takes us soaring overhead with Tom and Jesse, and into the foxholes with Red and the Marines as they battle a North Korean invasion. As the fury of the fighting escalates and the Marines are cornered at the Chosin Reservoir, Tom and Jesse fly, guns blazing, to try and save them. When one of the duo is shot down behind enemy lines and pinned in his burning plane, the other faces an unthinkable choice: watch his friend die or attempt history’s most audacious one-man rescue mission.

A tug-at-the-heartstrings tale of bravery and selflessness, Devotion asks: How far would you go to save a friend?

©2015 Adam Makos (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Riveting . . . a meticulously researched and moving account.”—USA Today

“An inspiring tale . . . portrayed by [Adam] Makos in sharp, fact-filled prose and with strong reporting.”—Los Angeles Times

“[A] must-read.”—New York Post

A beautiful story from a forgotten time

So many people may not even know what the Korean War was or how the people there endured. This a terrific glimpse at what it was like to be a fighting man at that time and how the bonds of friendship and love go beyond measure. Highly encourage to be read!

Best book in a long time!

Very moving story sad that the quality of American political leadership both then and now has not equalled the sacrifice and quality of people in the armed services and their families.

Three stories in one.

I really liked how the author followed multiple people through the events to provide different perspectives and provide background for people and motivations. The research was top notch.

I don't want to say anything negative or disrespectful about an act that was obviously heroic and took amazing courage. But the book, maybe unintentionally, highlights that there are many acts of amazing courage and bravery in war and the ones that get selected for medals and honors is somewhat random at best and political at worst. Was the act of the "main" event more or less heroic than the man that jumped on a grenade or the men that "simply" remained at the front line when a chance to run or escape presented itself?

Great story. Again, not to take anything away from the medal winner, but I was left with the feeling that anyone in this book could have deservedly be selected for the same medal.

Required Reading

A book that should be read by all Americans. A true masterpiece. Look up the USS Thomas Hudner!

An Eye Opening and Dramatic True Story

Where does Devotion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rank this near the top and at the top for taking a true event and making it as dramatic as a screenplay. This would have been a good book even if it were fiction but as a true story it is outstanding!

What did you like best about this story?

The book put me in places that I have not been and gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices and struggles of the culture of the times.

Which character – as performed by Dominic Hoffman – was your favorite?

I like Red thoughout his part of the story. He was heroic but modest and believable, like he were someone you know. I also like young Jesse and the story of his youth in the deep south, it took uncommon character to rise above those circumstances.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The only color in the sky is blue.

Any additional comments?

Because the culmination of this story could be told in ten minutes, it is always a challenge to write a book that requires broadening the story to fill pages, not this time. Every elaboration and back story in Devotion is perfectly done. Rather than getting the listener lost, the author seamlessly builds on the characters and the story braiding multiple interdependent stories throughout the book. What is most amazing is that it is all true. The dialog and adjectives fit so naturally that you can picture the story clearly as it is told. I would suggest that you do not research on this book until after you have finished so you may move forward as unknowing of tomorrow as the characters. This book has exceeded my expectations in every way.

Great Listen

This is one of those books that made me want to drive, so that I could keep listening.

Wonderful story

Wonderful story of selfless heroism, and about the amazing relationships that bonded veterans together in some of their most frightening times during the war.

Excellent story and performance

My first military novel. I can't stop thinking and talking about it! I wish I could convince everyone to read it. I wish my dad was still alive so we could talk about his experience. Gave me a much better understanding of the Korean War, the sacrifice of those who served there and their families, and of the reason we fought.

The right amount of detail was provided so that I almost felt I was there, but never became bored or overwhelmed with it. The pace of the book was perfect.

I truly enjoyed the backstory as much as the main events, and the transition between storylines was seamless. I was heartbroken over the racism Jesse and other blacks endured in this period. My eyes were opened to how this history has likely affected so many and been passed down. I do hope someday soon, we can put it behind us all.

Dominic Hoffman did an outstanding reading. His voice is well suited for the story, and he added just the right amount of emotion and sound effects. I could almost tell how much the story affected him, too.

Thank you, Adam Makos, for writing this story. It is a masterpiece.

Well done. Really connected with the characters.

I really enjoyed this story. Though it was largely a documentary it was put together with a gripping story. I learned a lot about the Korean war and really connected with the characters.

Devotion

Fabulous writing and incredible research of a war and the sacrifices of so many that seem to have slipped from this country's memory. If you only read one book about the Korean War this should be the one.