The Eagle’s Last Flight

“The Eagle’s Last Flight” is not a typical Cold War book, which is why it is eminently suited for today’s readers. It is an uncomplicated book—good books usually are—that describes military life during the Cold War in an everyday, gut level fashion that readers can easily relate to. The story line is also uncomplicated. Modest in size (less than 400 pages), it chronicles the life of Skip O’Neill, an ordinary man destined to live an extraordinary life during the period 1954 to 1981. Skip was an Air Force fighter pilot; although not the kind possessed with unbelievable bravery, infallible judgment, and impossible skills so typical of fictional fighter pilots. His was a real life, with real troubles, real victories, and real conflicts. Yet, like the character in Forrest Gump, he managed to be on the stage each time the American military was challenged during the Cold War.

Although The Eagle’s Last Flight has the look and feel of an autobiography, it is in fact, a work of fiction. But, being a fictional character is Skip O’Neill a credible witness to such a dramatic period of our history? To quote Mark Berent, author of the Rolling Thunder series of books about the Vietnam War,”Skip O’Neill flew with the Lafayette Escadrille, he flew fighters in the European Theater of Operations, and the Pacific in WWII and, he flew fighters in all the conflicts since Vietnam as well. For Skip O’Neill’s story is the story of all fighter pilot warriors. Anyone who flew in any war can relate to many episodes in this book and certainly the characters.”

Or as CNN military analyst and author, Major General Don Shepherd, USAF (Ret.) put it, This is one of the best books about flying fighters, life in the military, war and the humans who do it, all with the best of characters shrouded in history, mixed with realism, sex, joy, tragedy, sadness, mystery. I could feel the Gs, taste the martinis and smell the perfume. I felt like I knew the characters, or someone just like them, and saw every fighter pilot in ‘Skip’ and every fighter pilot’s wife in ‘Christy’.”

Feel the Gs, taste the martinis and smell the perfume—valuable insights into one of the more tumultuous periods in our history by someone who has “been there, done that—tantalizing clues about what may lie ahead if the Cold war returns—all in one book. What more can you ask for?