Topgun: An American Story
Dan Pedersen
Mar 2019 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Jim Meskimen
5.0star
5 reviewsreport
headphones
Audiobook
9 hr 48 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn more
Want a 9 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
"If you loved the movie, you will love the real story in the book." -- Fox & Friends
On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat.
When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again.
What resulted was nothing short of a revolution -- one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come.
Pedersen takes readers on a colorful and thrilling ride -- from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace-through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" -- the best of the best -- and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimony to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.
"If you loved the movie, you will love the real story in the book." -- Fox & Friends
On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat.
When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again.
What resulted was nothing short of a revolution -- one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come.
Pedersen takes readers on a colorful and thrilling ride -- from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace-through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" -- the best of the best -- and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimony to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Henry Kyle
- Flag inappropriate
12 July 2019
On March 3, 1969; Lieutenant Commander Daniel Pedersen, USN (now retired as Captain) became the founder in the development of the U.S. NAVY Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) based at NAS Miramar (Fightertown USA), San Diego, CA. He had hand-selected eight fellow Naval Aviators called: “the Original Bros.” to assist in teaching ACM (Air Combat Manuevering) or DOGFIGHTING! Due to the heavy losses in the skies over Vietnam; Lt. Cmdr. Pedersen’s mission was simple. Restore air superiority and victory in the air; giving American fighter pilots the training necessary to defeat the enemy and secure Naval Aviation’s legacy! “TOPGUN: An American Story” is a personal memoir written in first-person narrative; which gives the reader a complete understanding of being in the cockpit of a high performance aircraft soaring through the clouds at supersonic speeds! It explains the heartfelt emotions of air combat victories/losses and the challenges faced by the separation of families during deployments overseas. This book epitomizes the life of a Naval Aviator in every respect; especially its significance as being one of the most noble of professions. Thank you Captain Pedersen for sharing your personal exploits and life story of daring, devotion, commitment, bravery, courage, and true love. Required reading for every American; forever grateful to our Nation’s Heroes and American Patriots... TOPGUN!!
About the author
Dan Pedersen entered the U.S. Navy in 1953. He was the senior officer in the group of nine men who formed the Navy's legendary "Topgun" program at Naval Air Station Miramar in March 1969. He served in combat during the Vietnam War, with a flying cruise on USS Hancock (CVA-19) and three on USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He retired as a captain, having accumulated 6,100 flight hours and 1,005 carrier landings while flying 39 types of aircraft. He lives with his wife outside San Diego.
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
