צבעוני ארבע

by Giora Romm

This true-life memoir of Israeli fighter ace Giora Romm was a best-seller in its original Hebrew under the title Tulip Four. Tulip Four was Romm’s aircraft’s call-sign on the day he was shot down over the Nile Delta.

Genres: Aviation, History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

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.