Solitary: The Crash, Captivity and Comeback of an Ace Fighter Pilot

by Giora Romm, Shawn Coyne (Editor), Steven Pressfield (Introduction)

Praise for Giora Romm's Solitary "Fighter pilots tell the greatest stories and the great ones tell the best stories of all...Solitary is a great addition to any library dedicated to the art of war or the ability to retain one's humanity in the most inhuman circumstances." -Pat Conroy, bestselling author of The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and his Son "This book is not only among the finest war writing ever but, like Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, Solitary sits alongside the most profound reflections on the resilience and capacity of the human soul." -Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire and The War of Art "A story of survival, Solitary is proof, needed today more than ever, that no matter the pit or prison, the human spirit can endure. I anxiously await the day my own sons are old enough to read it." -Rich Cohen, bestselling author of Tough Jews and The Avengers "A magnificent triumph of the human spirit. Solitary is a truly rare, firsthand glimpse into the hellish life and psyche of an elite warrior turned prisoner of war. I was captivated from the first page to the last." -Sean Parnell, bestselling author of Outlaw Platoon "Solitary is simultaneously heart-breaking and encouraging, incredibly cringe-worthy and compelling, and both depressing and inspiring. It's grabs you immediately, and doesn't let go until you're finished." -Tucker Max, bestselling author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell "Solitary is a gutsy story of one man's survival, endurance, and strength of will as Romm overcomes all odds to once again pilot a jet fighter in combat." --Larry Alexander, bestselling co-author of A Higher Call "You will tear through this book..." -Ryan Holliday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way "I am dangling beneath my parachute. Gazing down from a height of 10,000 feet, knowing I am going to be killed in less than fifteen minutes, I feel great sorrow for myself. None of my fellow pilots who've parachuted into the Nile Delta have survived the encounter with the welcoming committee below, and I have no reason to think my fate will be any different." -- Giora Romm, Solitary In June 1967, Lt. Giora Romm shot down five MiGs in the Six Day War. This remarkable feat made Romm, at twenty-two years old, the Israel Air Force's first fighter ace. Just two years and a half years later, in another dogfight, Romm's Mirage jet was shot down over the Nile Delta. With one arm broken and the opposite leg shattered by violent ejection from the aircraft, Romm collected himself and prepared for the worst. If his captors discovered his "Hero of the Six Day War" identity, Romm would become the most prized propaganda tool in the Arab-Israeli conflict, bar none. How he maintained his sanity in solitary confinement, in a plaster cast that extended from his toes to his chest, while suffering beatings and daily interrogation, strains comprehension. Solitary is destined to become mandatory reading not just at military academies and synagogues, but in hospices, rehabilitation centers and creative writing programs around the world.

Genres: Aviation, History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

302 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Tim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giora Ramm is a Mystere pilot from the Israeli Air Force who, after becoming an ace very young, was himself shot down by an Egyptian surface-to-air missile and became their prisoner for many months in 1965 and 66. This is the story of his captivity, release and return to the air, despite severe injuries from a very high-speed ejection.

Readers will need to experience the details of his story themselves. Two main themes emerged from his account for this reader:

First, the difficult and caustic to a person’s psyche by being held in solitary confinement. Ramm’s experience in captivity was a constant struggle between telling his captors something they wanted (in his case, it was mostly lies) against the threat of being returned to solitary confinement. One might think they would or could endure solitary and abuse at captors, though Ramm’s story provides significant caution against overconfidence in one’s stamina.

The second is the mental struggle he endured in being released, deciding to return to flying, then being at risk over enemy skies once again. The author tells the whole, unvarnished story; it’s a fascinating account.

Ramm eventually overcomes all these difficulties and leads an A-4 squadron successfully in the 1968 war. His account of his first flight—ever—in an A-4 on an operational wartime mission is worth the price of the book.

Great tales, well told.

[Veronica R Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I were in the military in Colorado Springs (Ft Carson) and had taken on the position of Chairs of the Israel Emergency fund just prior to the “6 Day War”. Capt. Giora Romm was sent by Israel to the US as a shaliach to help raise money. He was our house guest for about a week and a delightful and powerful resource. We heard about his capture and were horrified. In late December of 1967 we went to Israel not only to go and see family but, especially, to visit Giora at Tel Hashomer hospital. He was in surprisingly good spirits….a testimony to having been returned alive! Although he shared some of his experience with us , his book completed the horrific story of his time as a prisoner and the palpable joy of returning to fly again.

[Ohad Itai · Rating 5 out of 5]

הביקורת מתייחסת לספר הקולי, שאותו מקריא גיורא רום. זו חוויה מיוחדת ומרגשת לשמוע את גיורא רום מקריא את סיפור השבי שלו והמראתו ממנו למעלה. הספר תפס אותי חזק בעוצמות ובכנות שלו וגם בחוש ההומור המפתיע שלו.

[Paul Triller · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're thinking Rambo or The Deer Hunter....don't read this. If you're more of the "Unbroken" type, I believe you will find this story of courage and perseverance well worth your time.

[Warren Adelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I worked with Giora. I knew some of his background but not the whole story. Recently a friend mentioned the book. I couldn't put it down. Fascinating. At times heartbreaking. Such and honest portrayal of captive and captor. Read it.

[Maurits van Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest book about survival, about the will to come back home and to the top, and about resilience in spite of fear.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and uplifting book.