Fighting the Flying Circus

By: Eddie V. Rickenbacker

Narrated by: John Pruden

Captain Eddie V. Rickenbacker, originally from Ohio, was best known as one of the commanders of the 94th "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron, a crack unit of World War I pilots that included many former members of the famed Lafayette Escadrille.

The 94th ended the war in France with the highest number of air victories of any American squadron. Captain Rickenbacker later belonged to an association of pilots and Great War air veterans who, in the years immediately following the Second World War, invited many of the new "young" aces from the Pacific and European theaters for informal lectures. These men never lost their keen interest in aviation.

Public Domain (P)2012 Tantor

The Hat in the Ring Squadron….

I treasure the Life Magazine cover with a picture of my father, an ace of another war, standing next to his F-86, with the emblazoned logo of the squadron which he commanded: the Hat in the Ring squadron.
This humble, wonderful book describes the war in the air in the Great War. The beginning of war in the air…

An American Hero's early story

Rickenbacker was a larger than life character that I had heard of, but knew little about. This book delves into the man, and his passion from an early age.
Having a love of aviation, I marvel at the accomplishments and innovations this man has achieved. The advancement of aeronautics has a great deal to credit to this amazing individual
A great read, especially for someone with interest in early aviation, and early military strategy. I loved it!

Fantastic Story!!!!!

I was never once board during this book. The Narrator did a great job. Worth the listen.

Very well narrated

Great book made even better by the narrator. It’s easy to attach his voice to the image

A wonderful history of the air war in WWI f

Loved it, great book and great history. It was like being there...Squadron life revisited. Best WW flying book on this subject.

Superb

This is a great book for anyone interested in the First World War or military aviation. Rickenbacker's account gives great insight into the early days of air combat. He's also a great storyteller and his book, while punctuated with sorrowful episodes, is highly entertaining.

John Pruden's narration is superb. As I listened to the book, I often felt that I was listening to Captain Rickenbacker sitting across from me telling me the story himself.

I highly recommend this audiobook.

Enjoyable story

This was a great book. I had not read a book about air combat during the first world war.
The descriptions of battle were very well put together.

A Wonderful Book

I was so glad to find this book on Audible. I had started it in 1979 when I was in school, but was unable to finish it. What a treat it was to get to the end!

Leadership and Humility and Fun!

This is a fine record of the American experience as a fighter pilot in WWI. The detail and leadership lessons from a humble and happy American are priceless. Among this is excellent quality writing and description of vivid experiences. Wow.

Very well written and read book on WWI aviation.

I read this great work of literature as a young man in school back in the early 1990s and remember it being an exceptional book. I was pleased to find it exactly as I recall on Audible. Eddie Rickenbacker, America's Ace of Aces during the Great War and commander of the Hat in the Ring Squadron, an amazing patriot and air warrior. He skillfully takes us through his early days, his race car driving days, enlisting to fight and each of his aerial victories as well as daily life on a US aerodrome. I highly recommend this book. if you enjoy aviation and or history, you will not regret it. My compliments to the narrator on a job well done also.