Hawkeye

The Enthralling Autobiography of the Top-Scoring Israel Air Force Ace of Aces

By: Brigadier General Giora Even-Epstein

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

For more than 30 years, Giora Even-Epstein flew fighters for the Israel Air Force, achieving recognition as a highly skilled military aviator and the highest-scoring jet-mounted ace with the most num­ber of confirmed victories in the French Mirage. Having overcome numerous hurdles just to learn how to fly, he went on to compile a record of Arab MiGs and Sukhoi kills that bettered any other combat aviators' tally in the entire world.

This fast-moving autobiography details his experiences particularly in the intense conflicts of 1967, the Six Day War, and 1973, the Yom Kippur War. The listener shares the cockpit with him as he describes every action he undertook with 101 and 105 Squadron, including the greatest jet-versus-jet air battle in history with four MiG-21 kills in one engagement. His final score was 17. After his last battle he became commander of the First Jet Squadron, 117, began civilian flying, retrained to command 254 MMR Squadron in the 1982 Lebanon War, and flew the F-16 at the age of 50 before retirement. His story is of one man's unfaltering dedication to his dreams and his country. As the leading jet ace it is one well worth telling and, critically, it can be told in his own words.

©2020 Giora Even-Epstein (P)2021 Tantor

This book made him ten times cooler to me

I remember being a kid watching Dogfights on History Channel. Y'know, back when History Channel was good. Giora Epstein always stuck out to me. One day I decided to look up if he had an Autobiography. and he does, and it's awesome, and you should read it.

The book you’ve been waiting for.

His story has finally been told. I discovered the Israeli aviators through the Dogfights series and read the others memoirs. Epstein is the one I most wanted to read after Ronen.

A life worth living...

A wonderful uplifting mémoires of a conceited "kibutznik" (most of them are...) but this one has the receipts...
This book is sufficiently non-technical to have a universal appeal with a wonderful dose of nostalgic elements that strike a cord with the aothor's contemporaries (which I'm).
Reading some of the reviews, the "universal appel" might not trancends to a broad spectrum of readers. Nonetheless, it's not only a life worth living but a life story worth reading ...

A will to win and utter determination to succeed

Never take no for an answer. Gioia's will and determination to fly fighter jets and never give up, no matter what the circumstances is a testament to the character of the man. I have a keen interest in military aviation, and enjoyed the book. It was insightful and gives a small peak into the inner workings of the IAF. His passion for flying fighter jets shines throughout the book.

One Giant Resume

Wow, once you get past the literal nonstop and unrelenting bragging, it's actually a very good book. This guy is an ego maniac. But there are few memoirs better than that of an Ace fighter pilot. And Brigadier General Giora Even-Epstein fought his way through doctors telling him he couldn't fly due to a heart condition to other naysayers, and managed to become the top Israeli Air Force Ace of all time. From his early childhood on he had to fight to survive, just like the nation of Israel. What a story of dogged determination in spite of the nonstop resume listing.

Mesmerizing Life!

You can’t stopped listening the story of his life. Giora has nerves of steel and an amazing sense of direction

Fantastic read, incredible and interesting life from the Israeli Ace of Aces.

This was a fantastic book, it really paints a detailed picture of General Epstein. From his ups and downs to realizing his dream of flying fighters. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in aviation, military history, or air combat.

Great story of a great man.

Great story of a great man and great pilot. Nothing came easy in Giora’s life from the beginning. Giora overcame all adversity and came victorious. A real pilot chaise not another promotion or pay grade, but joy of flying. Giora is the best of the best!

No-frills autobiography

Recommended to all who are interested in air combat.
Vivid descriptions of dogfights, and the personality of Giora Epstein shines through, both his grit and his hunting instinct.
Amazing that he was a paratrooper at first and he had 500 jumps before becoming a fighter pilot!
Obviously this is not a history book, so you need to be familiar with the history of Israel's war and the basics of air combat.
If you are, do not miss this book!

Not sure why I finished it as so much bragging

I slogged through this as fascinated by the topic as how Israel has managed to militarily survive its neighbors. My single vacation in Israel was wonderful and turned me onto this topic. I also have had an equally wonderful vacation in a Muslim majority country and only wish that peace could become eternal in the region.

Chuck Yeager's biography should be the gold standard for military pilots....... If you haven't read his story, you are truly missing out. I am not a pilot but I wish I had been.