Horses Don't Fly

The Memoir of the Cowboy Who Became a World War I Ace

By: Frederick Libby

Narrated by: Stephen Bowlby

Growing up on a ranch in Sterling, Colorado, Frederick Libby tamed countless horses, drove cattle, and even roped an antelope. When World War I broke out, he enlisted in the Canadian army with the same happy-go-lucky daring and grit with which he approached all things. In France, he became an aviator with the Royal Flying Corp, downing an enemy plane on his first day of battle over the Somme. He went on to become an ace, with 24 victories to his credit, just two less than Captain Eddie Rickenbacher. This is a rare piece of Americana, told in as pure and compelling a voice from the vernacular heart of this country as you will ever hear.

©2000 Sally Ann Marsh. Introduction copyright 2012 by Winston Groom (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Horses Don't fly

Loved his story from cow poke, horse breaker - trainer. His relationship with the horses he worked with. Then the want to travel and see more of the world. starting with Canada as WWI started. He signed up to be a truck driver for Canada's support in the war. He had a mechanic teach him to drive a truck. The mechanic also signed up to be a truck driver and be part of the group. Military test was a Ford car where the foot peddle was forward, reverse, brake. Accelerator on steering wheel. he made a mess of that and failed. The mechanic told the tester, he can drive a truck, just not that Ford. So the tester passed him anyway & off to Britain. He got tired of the wet, continuous rain in France, so he saw a flyer on needing aircraft observers. He found his chance to get out of the wet. Observer turned out to be nose gunner on F.E.-2B 2 seat pusher biplane. 1914-1916. Then opportunity came to move up to pilot. Sopwith 1.5 strutter for training. Went back to the front flying Camels and DH -4. hated the gap between back gunner and pilot. Couldn't communicate. I see with DH-9, they fixed that gap issue of DH-4. He loved the extra power the DH-4 had over his previous aircraft. He left the front lines to train pilots but his back issues ended his military career.

Great first hand account of flying with the RFC in WW1

I’ve enjoyed Horses Don’t Fly several times in print and now on audible. Capt Libby’s account is a wonderful tale of a young man at the turn of the century. It is a story where living a life of one adventure to the next will lead you to unexpected destinations.
His account of getting into the RFC, embracing the British Officer Corp traditions, and surviving several years of combat flying are told in a compelling way. I recommend this to a reader wanting an adventure story, or a slice of US history, or a military history reader.

Amazing

This is quite the story and well worth reading. I've read a lot about World War I, but I had no idea about the RFC and American involvement. The author was quite the hero.

One of my all time favorites

A real page Turner one of those books you don't want to put down and you're sad when it is over because you wanted to last longer.

The 1st part of the book is a fascinating history of his youth. The 2nd part of the book is about his time in the war.

A great read from beginning to end and the narrator is most excellent.

A real hero

Not only was this man a high achiever of success in everything he committed to in life, he had a beautiful humility about all of it, and a love and respect for all persons who gave life their best, especially those behind the scenes. A great man. Loved the book. Great firsthand account of life during WWI. Very inspiring.

First class memoir

Excellent RFC story of a cowboy turned fighter pilot. A tale of bravery whose author credits everyone else except himself.

A Fabulous account of an interesting era

What did you love best about Horses Don't Fly?

I enjoyed this book when I was first given it by my great aunt. We are distantly related to the author Frederick Libbey so I may not be completely objective. I love the way he narrates the events of his amazing life in a modest and humorous way. His description of the late cowboy era and World War I aviation is amazing. He focuses on particular episodes in his life that he stumbles into more from curiosity and naïveté than planning. I very much like that he gives credit to all that help him and has a very positive outlook even in the midst of very depressing circumstances. I appreciated the book even more when I studied WWI history. The narration is absolutely superb. This is the finest pairing of wonderful story and excellent narration I have encountered.

Have you listened to any of Stephen Bowlby’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This is a tough question since I enjoyed so much of the book. I really enjoyed the episode where he destroyed his fancy new Sunday suit by roping an antelope.

This is one of my favorite reads!

This rare and honest glimpse into American history through the eyes of Frank Libby is a honey. I promise you’ll laugh, be amazed, and enjoy this true to life adventure of an American cowboy who became a Work War I ace.

Ecxellent read!

Well told! Truth is so much more interesting than fiction, and in this case that holds true.

Captivating

This book was captivating in story and deed from start to finish. So easy to listen to with an excellent narrator. It was exciting not only for Captain Libby’s life stories, but also the parts where he talked of travels to areas of the US that I’ve lived in myself. I wish all books could be as engaging as this one!