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Rdeči baron - Zgodba o baronu von Richthofnu
Prva svetovna vojna se je v kolektivni spomin človeštva vtisnila ne samo zaradi velikanskih človeških žrtev, ki jih je povzročila, temveč tudi zaradi tega, ker so se bitke med sovražnimi vojskami prvič v zgodovini prenesle tudi na nebo. To so omogočili hiter tehnološki razvoj bojnih letal in številni pogumni piloti, ki so v času, ko so na frontah že začeli uporabljati težke topove in vojne pline, še spominjali na stare, viteške čase, v katerih so si nasprotniki stali nasproti iz oči v oči in bíli častni boj. Med njimi je največjo slavo dosegel nemški vojaški pilot baron Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen, poznan kot Rdeči baron.
Letalski as, ki so ga odlikovali tevtonski patriotizem, ponos, disciplina in pravi lovski nagon, je v neposrednih zračnih dvobojih sestrelil kar 80 zavezniških letal in se vpisal med legende prve svetovne vojne.
Njegovo življenjsko pot do usodnega 21. aprila 1918, ko je na svoji zadnji misiji nad Francijo – zaradi prav začetniške napake in le dan pred nastopom načrtovanega dopusta – izgubil življenje, nam v knjigi slikovito in hkrati z vojaško natančnostjo popiše prav tako legendarni ameriški vojni dopisnik Floyd Phillips Gibbons.
Letalski as, ki so ga odlikovali tevtonski patriotizem, ponos, disciplina in pravi lovski nagon, je v neposrednih zračnih dvobojih sestrelil kar 80 zavezniških letal in se vpisal med legende prve svetovne vojne.
Njegovo življenjsko pot do usodnega 21. aprila 1918, ko je na svoji zadnji misiji nad Francijo – zaradi prav začetniške napake in le dan pred nastopom načrtovanega dopusta – izgubil življenje, nam v knjigi slikovito in hkrati z vojaško natančnostjo popiše prav tako legendarni ameriški vojni dopisnik Floyd Phillips Gibbons.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1927
102 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Floyd Gibbons
21 books1 followerWar correspondent for the Chicago Tribune during World War I.
His most well known are his reports on the Pancho Villa Expedition and the sinking of the RMS Laconia on which he was a passenger.
He lost an eye in world war I due German gunfire.
In 1918 he got awarded the French military award Croix de Guerre & in 1941 he was awarded an gold medal by the marine corps and became a honorary member.
His most well known are his reports on the Pancho Villa Expedition and the sinking of the RMS Laconia on which he was a passenger.
He lost an eye in world war I due German gunfire.
In 1918 he got awarded the French military award Croix de Guerre & in 1941 he was awarded an gold medal by the marine corps and became a honorary member.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 12, 2017
This book was meticulously researched by American journalist Floyd Gibbons who gained access to the personal letters and papers of Manfred Richthofen, Germany’s Red Baron of World War One. The book makes fascinating reading, the subject showing himself to be an efficient killing machine. I found it sick and quite chilling that he would have a jeweler in Berlin make a special cup for each one of his ‘kills’- that is, until the jeweler ran out of silver after sixty cups and could make no more. These cups were displayed in the Red Baron’s bedroom back in Germany. Unfortunately for the German ace, he did not get to enjoy his cup display as he, himself, was shot down before he could kill his 81st victim, a young Australian who was fleeing for his life. I found the aspect of chivalry on the Western Front interesting. Each side carefully dropped information to the enemy pertaining to the fate of airman shot down—whether they were dead, injured and or taken prisoner. Immediately after his demise, Richthofen was buried with military honors by the Allies. Later in 1925, his remains were moved from France to Germany and all sides attended a massive funeral in his honor.
April 12, 2018
"Beloved by his people, honoured by his foes, admired by the brave, the Red Knight of Germany, whose indomitable spirit made him the greatest individual killing force in the ranks of his country's fighters, earned well the epitaph that will be ever his in the hearts of his people.
He was a soldier."
He was a soldier."
March 15, 2017
Loved it
Loved learning about the Red Knight of Germany , about his life and death. This is a book that everyone who loves this type of book needs to read.
Loved learning about the Red Knight of Germany , about his life and death. This is a book that everyone who loves this type of book needs to read.
April 11, 2018
Written in 1927, less than 10 years after Richthofen's death in World War I, Floyd Gibbons gives an up close look, time-wise, at the former cavalryman and avid hunter who became World War I's "Ace-of-Aces." The best part of the book is also one of its weakest. The author tracked down and interviewed many of the pilots who survived being shot down by the Red Baron for their side of the dogfight to compare with Richthofen's own after action reports, which was fascinating. But about halfway through, it started to feel like the book had become just a long, detailed cataloging of the Baron's 80 victories. Then I realized that pretty much was the sum total of this man's entire life. I'd give it 4 stars for aviation aficionados.
August 16, 2015
Siempre me apasionó la vida del Barón Rojo. Tímido en persona, mortal en el aire. Derribó 80 aviones con su Fokker DR1 triplano COMPLETAMENTE ROJO cuando todos se camuflaban para que no los vieran. Con sus ametralladoras Spandau o Lewis (cuando piloteaba su Albatross), fue el as del aire durante la primera guerra mundial. Cuando el capitán inglés Roy Brown lo derribó en 1918, Manfred von Richtofen, casi muerto y con un balazo en el pecho, aterrizó su avión casi a la perfección. Fue enterrado con todos los honores por los mismos ingleses.
October 8, 2020
The Red Knight of Germany: The Story of Baron von Richthofen, Germany's Great War Bird by Floyd Gibbons is an early account of the Red Baron. Gibbon's was a war correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. At the Battle of Belleau Wood he lost an eye to German gunfire while rescuing a wounded soldier; for this, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre. Afterwards, he became chief of the paper’s foreign service, but went on to become a novelist and radio commentator after being fired.
Originally published in 1930, Gibbons used first-hand sources to write Richthofen's biography. There are letters the baron wrote to his mother and the baron's mission reports requesting credit for kills. There are also reports from those who survived aerial combat with Richthofen too. These reports and statements show the respect the pilots had for each other and the baron. While the infantry died in the hundreds of thousands many were left to rot in no man's land, pilots were buried with honors by their enemies. The air war was a separate war.
With all the recent writing of the war at its one hundred year anniversary, this book was written just twelve years after the end of the war and Richthofen death provides some of the best coverage of the air war using primary source material. Perhaps only Rickenbacker's Fighting the Flying Circus is a better source of first-hand material. An excellent biography not only of the war but of the person Richthofen was and his drive to excellence. His fight was not of hate but of sport. For many fighting in the air war, battle was a competition much like a boxing match. It was person against person not country against country and even in war there was respect.
Originally published in 1930, Gibbons used first-hand sources to write Richthofen's biography. There are letters the baron wrote to his mother and the baron's mission reports requesting credit for kills. There are also reports from those who survived aerial combat with Richthofen too. These reports and statements show the respect the pilots had for each other and the baron. While the infantry died in the hundreds of thousands many were left to rot in no man's land, pilots were buried with honors by their enemies. The air war was a separate war.
With all the recent writing of the war at its one hundred year anniversary, this book was written just twelve years after the end of the war and Richthofen death provides some of the best coverage of the air war using primary source material. Perhaps only Rickenbacker's Fighting the Flying Circus is a better source of first-hand material. An excellent biography not only of the war but of the person Richthofen was and his drive to excellence. His fight was not of hate but of sport. For many fighting in the air war, battle was a competition much like a boxing match. It was person against person not country against country and even in war there was respect.
April 13, 2023
This is an excellent biography of a well known WWI German war hero. People can find examples of his renown in American pop fiction. For example, Snoopy from the popular comics often flies his doghouse and attempts to shoot down the noble red baron, Manfred Von Richthofen. Of course, true to form, Snoopy's aero-doghouse adventures always ended in disaster for the flying dog ace, and the red Baron always flew away triumphantly. In truth, none of the Red Knight's victims ever flew away again. They either found their end in flames, or riddled with bullets, or smashed impacting the earth, or taken as a prisoner of war. This book offers some unique insights into the baron's life and one can see through letters to his mother and visits with his father (who held the rank of Major in the German army) what made the man tick. German life in the early 1900s was one of glory forged in war. It was an honor to die for one's country, and parents were proud to sacrifice their youth to defend their way of life.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy short books, or are interested in WWI, or people interested in German history, or those who like war books, or those who have interests in antiquated flying machines. There's a lot to enjoy in this book, and it truly maps out a life we are currently unfamiliar with. People truly did admire their enemies at one time. This book captures the combination of love, hate, reverence, fear, respect, and loathing that warfighters share for their enemies.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy short books, or are interested in WWI, or people interested in German history, or those who like war books, or those who have interests in antiquated flying machines. There's a lot to enjoy in this book, and it truly maps out a life we are currently unfamiliar with. People truly did admire their enemies at one time. This book captures the combination of love, hate, reverence, fear, respect, and loathing that warfighters share for their enemies.
August 17, 2017
Fascinating story of the Red Baron. The researcher's inclusion of letters and mission reports gives us a view aside from the sterile academic description normally read. To be an effective soldier requires a mindset that it not to palatable to the general public and he was no exception. When I flew in combat we did come to treat the missions as sport and compete with each other for positive results. Danger was addressed but not dwelled upon. If personal safety was top priority then no one would ever fight in the military. Great book. Needs pictures.
July 3, 2017
I love reading old texts that are free of the current day political correctness and give between the lines insight the the attitudes and thinking of the time. This book was written shortly before Hitler's rise to power and is very in-depth concerning not only the activities of the Baron but his victims as well. It was still a time of respect when the book was written. The research that was done was amazing.
February 12, 2018
This "Story of Baron von Richthofen" started with such frenetic hyperbole that I almost put it down, but the author soon settled into a fascinating narration of the exploits and character of the Red Knight. He was not my kind of person, nor someone with whom I can identify, but it was impossible not to admire the man, and his talents.
October 9, 2024
Biografía que tiene a su favor la cercanía temporal de los sucesos narrados - apenas siete años desde la muerte de Manfred von Richthofen - y estar firmada por un corresponsal que estuvo en el frente. Bastante completa respecto a números, se trave además perfilando al hombre tras la leyenda: Un cazador hábil, frío y metódico producto de su época y estirpe.
May 28, 2017
Interesting
Interesting historical read. Many details of the battles fought in the air by brave men defending their country. Very detailed.
Interesting historical read. Many details of the battles fought in the air by brave men defending their country. Very detailed.
January 28, 2021
Fully comprehensive book
Great book. Every detail of his life is covered in intricate detail every mission every kill. He was amazing. Very driven
Great book. Every detail of his life is covered in intricate detail every mission every kill. He was amazing. Very driven
June 20, 2023
Love the detail on the Red Baron in this book!!!
July 15, 2024
This was a very good read. I got a good insight into the life and mind of the Red Baron. It was interesting to hear the accounts from eye witnesses of the war.
March 17, 2017
Originally published in 1927, The Red Knight of Germany: The Story of Baron von Richthofen, Germany's Great War Bird is the product of an earlier age. Manfred von Richthofen was a hunter, a sportsman, concerned with killing his prey and amassing trophies; whether it was elk or deer or wild boar or enemy airplanes and the men who flew them, he would kill them all with equal dispassion and sleep soundly at night. And this biography echoes and shares to a large degree the values and mores of that champion killer and his time--Gibbons' admiration for Richthofen as a world-class hunter is obvious as he describes each of Richthofen's aerial victories with as much detail as can be gleaned from records private and military. This tone is unsettling to some modern readers--just peruse the book reviews on Amazon to see that this is so--but it is typical of a time when opponent fliers still respected and saluted their adversaries, honoring them in victory or defeat, life or death.
One aspect of Gibbon's biography that was unexpected was the author's tendency to veer off on digressions about the lives of the men Richthofen downed, as well as the men he flew with--the men he learned from as well as the men he in turn mentored. While these tangents are a bit off the subject of Richthofen's life, I didn't mind them, as they added texture and context to Richthofen's life.
One aspect of Gibbon's biography that was unexpected was the author's tendency to veer off on digressions about the lives of the men Richthofen downed, as well as the men he flew with--the men he learned from as well as the men he in turn mentored. While these tangents are a bit off the subject of Richthofen's life, I didn't mind them, as they added texture and context to Richthofen's life.
April 22, 2016
A difficult start which ultimately proved to be a rewarding, and engaging appraisal of one of World War One's most successful aviators.
A book from a different era with a narrative which reflects it. Written during the aftermath of the Great War and immediately prior to the ideological second World War, this is a tale of both man and machine and how the chivalrous aspects of combat, lost to the trenches and mechanised warfare, were transferred to the skies above by the pioneering aviators and their flying machines. The end result is the propagation of the enduring myth of a gentlemanly sport of equals which stood in splendid isolation to the bloody carnage below.
The authors' account of Baron von Richthofen is rich and compelling and goes a considerable way to removing the veneer applied to the man post-war(s). The narrative charts the history and psychology of the former cavalryman; whom both bored and disillusioned with the ground war, effectively wrote a letter to his superiors demanding the chance to take to the skies with a view to rekindling the spirit of the chase and the lost romance of war.
By interviewing former adversaries; reprinting letters from Richthofen to his Mother, and retelling and analysing Richthofen's own accounts of how he sought and achieved his victories, the author provides a balanced, and ultimately fair assessment of Richthofen which stands in stark contrast to pre-existing accounts of vilification or celebration, by virtue of one simple facet: the consideration of Richthofen as essentially mortal; warts and all.
An entirely welcome and engaging review of one of history's most celebrated; talented, and lethal aviators who stood at the forefront of technological advance which was used to recapture the spirit of a supposedly chivalrous past.
A book from a different era with a narrative which reflects it. Written during the aftermath of the Great War and immediately prior to the ideological second World War, this is a tale of both man and machine and how the chivalrous aspects of combat, lost to the trenches and mechanised warfare, were transferred to the skies above by the pioneering aviators and their flying machines. The end result is the propagation of the enduring myth of a gentlemanly sport of equals which stood in splendid isolation to the bloody carnage below.
The authors' account of Baron von Richthofen is rich and compelling and goes a considerable way to removing the veneer applied to the man post-war(s). The narrative charts the history and psychology of the former cavalryman; whom both bored and disillusioned with the ground war, effectively wrote a letter to his superiors demanding the chance to take to the skies with a view to rekindling the spirit of the chase and the lost romance of war.
By interviewing former adversaries; reprinting letters from Richthofen to his Mother, and retelling and analysing Richthofen's own accounts of how he sought and achieved his victories, the author provides a balanced, and ultimately fair assessment of Richthofen which stands in stark contrast to pre-existing accounts of vilification or celebration, by virtue of one simple facet: the consideration of Richthofen as essentially mortal; warts and all.
An entirely welcome and engaging review of one of history's most celebrated; talented, and lethal aviators who stood at the forefront of technological advance which was used to recapture the spirit of a supposedly chivalrous past.
November 11, 2020
I paid about a buck for this on Kindle, and it seems like that is about a fair price. Has some interesting tidbits, and the novelty of reading a book about a German war hero written in the 20s before WWII is kind of interesting, but the laundry list of planes he shot down gets a little long. Would have preferred more discussion of HOW he shaped tactics and what the tactics actually accomplished, rather than just general statements about how he helped lead development of large flying formations.
December 30, 2015
I received a kindle version of the book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the expectation that I would write a review that I would share on my blog, Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Linked In, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.
This is a reprint of a biography of Baron von Richthofen that was written shortly after World War I. It is the first book by Floyd Gibbons that I have read.
This book is engaging and a fairly quick read. What I found most interesting is that the author was able to interview several individuals and had access to Richthofen's letters due to the time period in which it was written. Gibbons does a good job of describing the "Red Baron's" life with the major focus of the book being his exploits as the ace of the German Air Force during World War I. He reveals why he flew a red plane, his need for having little trophies made for each verified kill, the struggle to become a elite pilot, etc.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in World War I and in particular the exploits of the "Red Baron".
This is a reprint of a biography of Baron von Richthofen that was written shortly after World War I. It is the first book by Floyd Gibbons that I have read.
This book is engaging and a fairly quick read. What I found most interesting is that the author was able to interview several individuals and had access to Richthofen's letters due to the time period in which it was written. Gibbons does a good job of describing the "Red Baron's" life with the major focus of the book being his exploits as the ace of the German Air Force during World War I. He reveals why he flew a red plane, his need for having little trophies made for each verified kill, the struggle to become a elite pilot, etc.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in World War I and in particular the exploits of the "Red Baron".
April 27, 2016
This book was written in the 1920s when many of the people involved with the Red Baron were still alive--including his mother. Although all of his 'killings' were detailed and the author did a remarkable job comparing British war records with the Baron's takedowns, so much more could have been documented about the man himself. Personally, I found his lust for murder a bit chilling--even though his actions fell under the 'legal' guise of war. He even had trophies made and numbered for every successful attack. His mother kept them on display in his bedroom in their family home. I couldn't help but wonder what he might have done if there hadn't been a war.
August 24, 2016
My copy is Hardback 1927 edition by Garden City Publishing. I wanted to post a 4 1/2 stars. The book was a historical analysis of his life and exploits. The people interviewed were numerous, his mother, his fellow flyers, several Allied pilots whom he had shot out of the skies, his commanding officers, others and his letters home. At the time of the writing the German and Allied records where open for a detailed search. He was credited with downing 80 planes. Both sides would drop streamered cans containing info on the condition of the their downed pilots. There was an honor between the air corps. Times sure have changed. This was one of the best quarters I've ever spent.
August 3, 2016
Written originally shortly after the Red Baron's, this biography gives a detailed accounting of his 80 victories and shows a time long gone when these airmen were the Knights of their time, revered for their deeds and who battled with a code of fairness, treating their enemy with honor. on the other had, it's really depressing slogging through all those deaths: enemy airmen, his mentors, his companions, and the airmen he took under his wing.
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December 17, 2015This is a fascinating insight into one of Germany's greatest pilots. His drive and love of flying made him the hero he became; there was only one way his legend was going to end. Great book, bitted and bobbed a little but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 24, 2016
This book was outstanding. It held me spellbound all the way through it. The writer did a perfect job of building you up to a high level o f
Enthusiasm then keeps you there and brings you back to reality slowly . outstanding. Thanks for sharing this book. Randall
Enthusiasm then keeps you there and brings you back to reality slowly . outstanding. Thanks for sharing this book. Randall
July 12, 2009
This is a detailed account of the aerial combat of "The Red Baron" of Germany, during WW I. Great insight into the life of the greatest German pilot of WW I.
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August 3, 2010In English language,Inglise keeles,non-fiction,biography,war biography,WWI biography
December 3, 2015
this was not really to my liking. while it was entertaining to read I am more into the second world War books.
September 13, 2016
Possibly THE biography of Manfred von Richtofen. Well written and replete with research materials.
November 16, 2016
read some time in summer 1968
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews