John R. Bruning

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John R. Bruning

Goodreads Author


Born
The United States
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March 2013

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John Bruning is the author or coauthor of twenty-two non-fiction books, including four New York Times best sellers, and seven national best sellers, including the critically acclaimed "Race of Aces," "Indestructible," "Outlaw Platoon" (with Sean Parnell) and "House to House" (with David Bellavia).

In 2011, he received a Thomas Jefferson Award for his photojournalism and reporting in Afghanistan during the surge in 2010.

He lives in Oregon with his family and writes with an office staff that includes three dogs and two cats, one of whom identifies as canine and enjoys swimming, hiking and urban exploration.

For further information on John, his office staff and his published words, please check out:

johnbruning.com

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Popular Answered Questions

John R. Bruning Hi Art!

Thanks for the question. I start with some basic research, then go on research trips to gather more information. With Race of Aces, I came home…more
Hi Art!

Thanks for the question. I start with some basic research, then go on research trips to gather more information. With Race of Aces, I came home with thousands of pages of documents that I had copied with a Canon 1DX digital camera. I organized those files back into their original documents by pulling them into .pdf files. That way, I could do key word searches, which proved to be extremely helpful.

All the files for Race of Aces took up about 15 terrabytes on a RAID Array hard drive system--sort of a mini server. That includes the scanned photos and photos I took during my research trips.

It took weeks to sort and read through the material, which revealed some surprising information that changed the original outline for the book. In fact, the research material contradicted my own original view on how the ace race in the SWPA developed, and I had to restructure the book as a result.

From there, as I started to assemble the chapters, I'd go in and delve deeper into the material as needed. At times, I would stop writing for hours as I sought out a specific fact I needed, or was cross checking something. If you go to my Instagram feed, or find me on FB, you'll see some of the photos of that process, and my research assistants, Sylvie and Leilu (they're felines!).

Hope that helps, and thank you for the question!

Regards,

John Bruning(less)
John R. Bruning Had a bad case of this a few years back. Long conversations with my agent, his exceptional guidance and ability to kick me in the rear when I need it …moreHad a bad case of this a few years back. Long conversations with my agent, his exceptional guidance and ability to kick me in the rear when I need it played a crucial role in overcoming it. Bourbon helped too, along with AC/DC tunes. :)(less)
Average rating: 4.37 · 19,230 ratings · 1,512 reviews · 24 distinct worksSimilar authors
Indestructible: One Man's R...

4.41 avg rating — 1,345 ratings — published 2016 — 13 editions
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Race of Aces: WWII's Elite ...

4.32 avg rating — 1,037 ratings — published 2020
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Fifty-Three Days on Starvat...

4.50 avg rating — 243 ratings5 editions
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The Devil's Sandbox: With t...

4.21 avg rating — 78 ratings — published 2006 — 8 editions
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Jungle Ace: The Story of On...

4.24 avg rating — 62 ratings — published 2001 — 10 editions
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Crimson Sky: The Air Battle...

3.98 avg rating — 43 ratings — published 1999 — 10 editions
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The Battle of the Bulge: Th...

4.46 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 2009 — 11 editions
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Battle for the North Atlant...

3.95 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 2012 — 5 editions
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Bombs Away!: The World War ...

4.64 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2011 — 8 editions
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Ship Strike Pacific

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — published 2005 — 2 editions
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More books by John R. Bruning…

Race of Aces NYT Review

Yesterday, the New York Times reviewed Race of Aces. This was an extraordinary and humbling moment for me, the first time in a career dating back to 1996 we've had this honor.

The review is here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/14/bo...
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Published on January 15, 2020 21:30

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Quotes by John R. Bruning  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Of the latter, they cut each truck in two, shipped them into the secret field in two C-47 transports, then welded them together in the field. It was a model of American ingenuity, and by midsummer, the strip was up and working.”
John R. Bruning, Indestructible: One Man's Rescue Mission That Changed the Course of WWII

“I ask not for wealth, or fame or long life, only that I may have the strength and courage to get to my objective and hit it, and hit it, and hit it.”
John R. Bruning, Race of Aces: WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky

“Those who experience it and measure up know the true strength of their own souls.”
John R. Bruning, Fifty-Three Days on Starvation Island: The World War II Battle That Saved Marine Corps Aviation

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