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8th out of 44 books
—
32 voters
China's Wings: War, Intrigue, Romance, and Adventure in the Middle Kingdom During the Golden Age of Flight
by
Gregory Crouch (Goodreads Author)
From the acclaimed author of Enduring Patagonia comes a dazzling tale of aerial adventure set against the roiling backdrop of war in Asia. The incredible real-life saga of the flying band of brothers who opened the skies over China in the years leading up to World War II—and boldly safeguarded them during that conflict—China’s Wings is one of the most exhilarating untold c...more
Hardcover, 528 pages
Published
February 28th 2012
by Bantam
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Crouch's China's Wings takes us on a roller coaster of an adventure. The book gains steam amidst the 1920s explosion of the airline industry. William Langhorne Bond, Crouch's protagonist, serendipitously jumps from a construction job to the airline industry in 1929, moments before the October 29, 1929 market crash provided the first spark that would, two years later, lead to a run on banks and ultimately to the Great Depression.
Around the globe, the Chinese Nationalist Party slaughtered its way...more
Around the globe, the Chinese Nationalist Party slaughtered its way...more
This is an exceptional book, it is exceptionally researched, exceptionally written, and about an exceptional subject. Mr. Crouch has written a book of history that reads like the best novel, it is hard to put down once you begin reading.
Set during a time in history that is not well known, it tells an exciting tale of American and Chinese cooperation and determination in the face of an aggressive invader.
I heartily recommend this book to the serious student of history as well as the casual read...more
Set during a time in history that is not well known, it tells an exciting tale of American and Chinese cooperation and determination in the face of an aggressive invader.
I heartily recommend this book to the serious student of history as well as the casual read...more
Greg Crouch spent more than 5 years researching and writing this book, and the results reflect that enormous effort. It is an excellent history of China for anyone interested in the period leading up to and during WWII, and an outstanding history of the amazing role played by a small Chinese airline in the affairs of the world. I use the word outstanding partly because the incredible depth of detail initially made me feel that it must be an historical novel. The author assured me, however, that...more
As the granddaughter of a World War II Hump pilot, China's Wings was a fascinating read. I grew up admiring my grandfather's adventures, flying men and cargo over the Himalayas from India to China during the war. Gregory Crouch brings these stories of risk and bravery to life, along with the full history of the commercial airline that managed the airlift. China National Aviation Corporation, a joint venture between Pan American and the Chinese government, proved more efficient and competent at f...more
A great look at the collision between Americans and ... other colonial powers, especially the British...during the fraught period leading up to WWII in China. Seeing Americans' ability to just choose not to participate in the outrageous racism of the time is refreshing: apparently we've always had a side that valued hard work kindness loyalty and vision regardless of nationality.
Historical Shangai comes off as a great sexy dangerous scary city...I kind of want to go but I'll leave my little one...more
Historical Shangai comes off as a great sexy dangerous scary city...I kind of want to go but I'll leave my little one...more
The execution of this book can only be described as lovely. Crouch has the capacity to use words to paint pictures, and create a setting that transports the reader to 1930's China. As praiseworthy as the craft of this book is, though, it is not the central achievement of the book.
Nor, I think, is the fact that Crouch makes history come alive because of the skill with which he tells the story of the men who created CNAC and made CNAC into a living thing that sustained a nation.
Rather, what he h...more
Nor, I think, is the fact that Crouch makes history come alive because of the skill with which he tells the story of the men who created CNAC and made CNAC into a living thing that sustained a nation.
Rather, what he h...more
This book was totally off the wall. Not something I was terribly interested in, but it seemed to be a good history of the period. And it was. I wasn't aware of the Chinese involvement during WWII and this clarified how the Chinese were really the first victims of the war. The Japanese war machine was in full force in China, but even being vastly outgunned, the Chinese fought valiantly. The role of the CNAC, a joint venture between China and Pan Am was very important, as was the role of its direc...more
Apr 06, 2013
William Clarkson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Students of asian history
Recommended to William by:
I found it on Goodreads
As a child of the WWII years I am always intrigued with stories about airplanes, This is a great story about the partnership of Pan American Airways and the Chinese government in building a domestic airline. -and it's true. A Well paced narrative with characters reminiscent of Terry and the Pirates and the Flying Tigers. In fact they were former Flying Tigers. China Wings is also a historical insight to the true motives of Generalissimo Chang Kai-Shek and the Chinese Nationalist Party in leverag...more
Truly masterful work by Gregory Crouch on his book: China's Wings. Gregory's fascinating writing style and in-depth research totally captivated my attention from cover to cover. As an Air Force cadet long ago, we learned about aviation history, WWII in China and flying "The Hump;" and now, reading China's Wings has actually brought that period of time totally alive!
As a result of this wonderful reading experience, I have been very positively motivated to dig into more and more research about the...more
As a result of this wonderful reading experience, I have been very positively motivated to dig into more and more research about the...more
To a casual observer, China’s Wings might appear to have appeal only to those interested in the history of aviation in China. The book is that and much more. In that regard, its subtitle, “War, Intrigue, Romance, and Adventure in the Middle Kingdom During the Golden Age of Flight” is far from false advertising. China’s Wings will appeal to myriad readers looking for an exciting and well told story.
Full of wonderful real-life characters, the book chronicles the history of the China National Avia...more
Full of wonderful real-life characters, the book chronicles the history of the China National Avia...more
1 like · like · see review
Absolute proof that truth is stranger than fiction. Takes us through the 1930s and 1940s conflict in China, and with Japan, with the creation of a Chinesse airline as the background. Offers great insight into politics in China at the time, not just an airline story. To paraphase the author's last sentence, many things might have happened, these things did. Wonderful for both history and airplane readers.
A five star rating limits how important the story is.
A five star rating limits how important the story is.
So well written I found myself sucked in, shocked, thrilled, tense and compelled to follow the story to its conclusion only to find that like all history it continues and touches my modern life. Kudos to Crouch for his painstakingly detailed effort and delightfully rich phrasing. I expect Hollywood will make this into something to rival the Indiana Jones fiction...only CNAC is all real!
Am I allowed to rate my own book? I hope so.
I've just finished reading my advance copy, possibly my last read through after so many dozens of others, and it's everything I hoped it would be when I started working on it eight years ago.
It's a wonderful story. I hope I've done it justice.
CNAC Forever!
I've just finished reading my advance copy, possibly my last read through after so many dozens of others, and it's everything I hoped it would be when I started working on it eight years ago.
It's a wonderful story. I hope I've done it justice.
CNAC Forever!
4 likes · like · see review
I wish I were half the writer of Mr. Crouch, I would have the perfect words to convey my admiration of this stunningly well researched book. Mr. Crouch's ability to understand and communicate the interaction of pre-post WWII China and a civilian airline blazing new trails in Chinese aviation is nothing short of remarkable, but his ability to tell the tale of the characters in the story and the nuances of cultural psychology and norms was simply brilliant. His adoration of the subject matter and...more
1 like · like · see review
This book was good, but not what I expected. Too much corporate detail to make a stirring narrative for my tastes. Folks in the Aerospace Corporate world will probably get more out of it than I did. Still, it has some interesting elements concerning early commercial flight in China, and how the airplane made modern Chinese society possible. It seems there was really no way to unite China geographically and politcally without air travel. Water travel was too slow, dangerous,and dependent on other...more
Great book of the Golden Age of Flight in China before the Japanese invaded China in 1937.
My favorite nonfiction book of 2012. Crouch is a model writer, satisfying both academic and general audiences. Young adults through seniors will find the book interesting-- the stories are compelling and the writing is vivid.
Just starting reading this engaging book about a time nearly forgotten. It was terrific-- one of the best I've read. Pan Am airlines involvement in a little known part of WW II and the descriptions of daily life in pre-war china was truly a very interesting, intriguing and romantic (looking back anyway) part of the 20th century.
Jan 02, 2013
Bennet
added it
Almost half-way read but I'm just not into it right now but I hope to return because it's a subject of interest and I still consider it worth reading.
May 01, 2013
Andrea
marked it as to-read
Apr 29, 2013
Melanie
is currently reading it
Apr 17, 2013
Michał Bojanowski
is currently reading it
Apr 09, 2013
Kenji
marked it as to-read
Apr 14, 2013
Sharon Hammond
added it
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Gregory Crouch graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1988, where he studied military history. He completed U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger Schools, and led his infantry platoon in Operation “Just Cause,” the ouster of strongman Manuel Noriega from Panama. Crouch left the Army in the post-Gulf War downsizing in order to pursue more adventurous interests, most no...more
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updated Apr 30, 2012 02:42pm