Operation Overflight

A Memoir of the U-2 Incident

By: Francis Gary Powers, Curt Gentry

Narrated by: Jon Lindstrom

U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is a central character in the movie Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks. In his classic 1970 memoir, Powers reveals the full story behind what happened in the most sensational espionage case in Cold War history. After his U-2 reconnaissance plane was shot down, Powers was captured on May 1, 1960 and endured 61 days of rigorous interrogation by the KGB, a public trial, a conviction for espionage, and the start of a 10-year sentence. After nearly two years, the US government obtained his release from prison in a dramatic exchange for convicted Soviet spy Rudolph Abel.

The narrative is a tremendously exciting suspense story about a man who was labeled a traitor by many of his countrymen but who emerged a Cold War hero.

©1970, 2015 Frances Gary Powers (P)2015 Random House Audio

I couldn't put it down.

This is a facinating story and gives insight into not only the espionage of the cold war, but life in prison for the unjustly tried. interesting and Insightful.

Excellent Piece of History

What a fascinating and sad story about the reality of one of the greatest stories in America's history. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family who, without question, paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Incredible

Best book on my Audible. Kept my interest. It's a true story of an American Hero.

Excellent

Must read for anyone interested in the cold war. It was good to hear the first hand experience of Gary Powers.

Astonding

This is brilliant brilliant book. And the epilogue by his son is a must read.

Fascinating account

This is a fascinating account of the U2 incident. As someone quite familiar with the event, the insiders perspective this book provides is a real treat. Unexpectedly well written and structured book. I don’t have any particular dislikes other than some sensitive information being withheld as during the time of writing some items that have since been declassified were still classified at the time. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in cold war history or insights into prison life in Russia.

Outstanding Firsthand Account

Written by Francis Gary Powers, Operation Overflight is essentially a 344-page, or 14-hour and 26-minute, primary source document detailing one of the Cold War’s most infamous US failures and the resulting fallout between the United States and the USSR. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book!

The story is well known so I won’t get into it, but the first-hand details presented by Powers are what I found super interesting – for instance: his invitation and induction into the world of aviation espionage; the first time he laid eyes on and flew the U-2; the aircraft’s awkward cockpit, avionics, photographic equipment, and the U-2’s peculiar very high altitude performance envelope; Powers’ extraordinary high altitude flightsuit designed for missions at the edge of space – where a flightsuit failure during an emergency cockpit depressurization meant immediate death (as the pilot’s blood would instantly boil), U-2 pilots’ uncommon aeromedical preflight routine, Powers’ shoot down, his resistance under Soviet interrogation, and his treatment upon US repatriation.

Operation Overflight is an exceptional read and essential for Cold War and aviation buffs – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

What A TOTAL Tragedy !

Bad enough Powers was shot down and spent almost 2 years in jail. He went by the book, revealed minimal information to his captors and went according to orders.
Powers gets home and is treated worse over all by the U.S. by not supporting him in the long run in his further employment or retirement. Awards were withheld that he of all people was very worthy of receiving. Politics, politics, politics and CYA by the American Gov’t from the time he is shot down to beyond his passing on in a most useless death. Very shameful on behalf of the U.S. gov’t.
I learned a lot from this book. It had some pretty incredible surprises and disappointments for Powers. I feel very badly he was treated this way. Even Eisenhower wasn’t informed on many parts of Powers’ mission. If it was that bad then, it’s scary how bad it could be now.
EXCELLENT book but very heart breaking for Powers.

A Hero.

A good book with a sad story. Book to be read to know the history

very fulfilling story!

I enjoy how they pay tribute to Kelly Johnson (Skunk Works) with the over fly and also Francis Gary Powers with the U-2.