Topgun: An American Story

by Dan Pedersen

NATIONAL BESTSELLER"If you loved the movie, you will love the real story in the book." -- Fox & FriendsOn the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat. When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again. What resulted was nothing short of a revolution -- one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come. Pedersen takes readers on a colorful and thrilling ride -- from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace-through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" -- the best of the best -- and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimony to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Aviation, War, Biography, Military History

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2019

About the author

Dan Pedersen entered the U.S. Navy in 1953. He was the senior officer in the group of nine men who formed the Navy's legendary "Topgun" program at Naval Air Station Miramar in March 1969. He served in combat during the Vietnam War, with a flying cruise on USS Hancock (CVA-19) and three on USS Enterprise (CVN-65). He retired as a captain, having accumulated 6,100 flight hours and 1,005 carrier landings while flying 39 types of aircraft. He lives with his wife outside San Diego.

Reviews

[Scottsdale Public Library]

“On March 3, 1969, the United States Navy established an elite school for the top one percent of its pilots. Its purpose was to teach the lost art of aerial combat and to ensure that the handful of men who graduated were the best fighter pilots in the world. They succeeded. Today, the Navy calls it Fighter Weapons School. The flyers call it: TOP GUN."
– From the opening title sequence of the movie, Top Gun (1986).

Top Gun: An American Story by Captain Dan “Yanke” Pedersen, USN (Ret), is the amazing historical account of the creation of the United States Navy’s Fighter Weapons School at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California also known as “Fightertown U.S.A.” This well-written, fast-paced autobiography is filled with personal accounts and perceptive observations by Dan Pedersen, who together with nine hand-picked naval aviators developed and taught ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) or “dogfighting” tactics and strategy that eventually became the Top Gun Navy Fighter Graduate School. There are great leadership and mentoring lessons to be gleaned from this brilliant book. I recommend this autobiography to all naval aviation history enthusiasts as well as readers who have enjoyed, Yeager: An Autobiography by General Chuck Yeager and Leo Janos.

The author was interviewed by C-SPAN 3 American History TV on 7/14/2019. https://www.c-span.org/video/?461562-... I definitely recommend watching Dan Pedersen’s presentation after you have finished reading the book so you can really enhance your “Top Gun” experience. – Leslie G.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of aviation, I am drawn to these types of books. As like many people, I have watched the movie Top Gun more than a couple of times. Yet, when I picked up this book, I was not under the impression that this book would be heavy focused in details about the movie. So, if you are reading this book for that factor, you will be sadly disappointed. No, Mr. Pedersen shares his insight and knowledge of his time in the military as well as how Topgun was formed. Which by the way Mr. Pedersen shares that topgun is one word but the movie executives felt that topgun should be two words as it looked better.

As I stated previously that being a fan of aviation that I found this book to be interesting reading. Mr. Pedersen shares what military life for pilots was really like, not the "Hollywood" version as well as his views on politics but in a way that no one would be offended. This book was quick reading for me. I would recommend checking out this book if you are a fan of aviation or military books.

[Maine Colonial · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free advance reviewing copy of this book.

The marketing for this book will lead you to believe that it’s all about “Topgun,” the Navy’s Fighter Weapons school made famous by the 1986 Top Gun film; the author’s role in its founding and its operation since that time. Well, the marketing is a little misleading. (And in case you’re wondering about the title, Pedersen explains that the Navy calls the program Topgun, one word, while the moviemakers decided that two words looked better on publicity media.)

Yes, the book starts out with Pedersen’s description of how poor tactics and training made US fighter pilots’ perform relatively poorly against the North Vietnamese and their Soviet supporters flying MiGs, and how Topgun was started on a shoestring to turn that around. But once we get past that, it’s more about Pedersen’s career in the Navy and his deployments as a fighter pilot and on aircraft carriers.

The book should especially appeal to those interested in a lot of technical detail about aircraft design and mechanics, and fighter tactics. Beyond that, of special interest are Pedersen’s open critiques of what he views as the enemies of an effective air combat force.

Pedersen begins with ripping former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara up one side and down the other for clueless micromanagement of the air war in Vietnam, and also for McNamara’s using his political and corporate connections to make choices of building contractors, rather than making decisions on the basis of what would be best for the people actually using the military equipment. Pedersen really slams the connections between military contractors, politicians and administration officials and top brass in the military who retire and take cushy jobs with the contractors. With this kind of setup, he argues, decisions about what to fund are corrupt and not in the best interests of the armed forces and US readiness. He gives a number of examples, but in particular he argues that stealth technology and too many electronic bells and whistles make the costs of today’s aircraft way too high and that not enough attention is paid to simply making fighter aircraft that pilots will be able to deploy effectively.

There is a personal angle to the book, though. Pedersen discusses the hardships for families when a service member is deployed for long periods of time and in dangerous—and deadly—situations. He is open about the effect of his service on his marriages and children. He has a deep love for his fellow pilots, sailors and other personnel, in the Navy, the Air Force, Marines and even other countries’ armed forces. Above all, he has a love of flight that still lives despite his having been retired for many years.

[Levent Pekcan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tesadüf eseri karşıma çıktı, Türkiyeden temin edebilmek de gerçekten sürpriz oldu. Hazır daha yeni Robin Olds'un kitabını okumuşken, aynı dönemleri ve zorlukları anlatan ikinci bir kitap iyi geldi. Doğrudan havacılık açısından belki çok öğretici değil, ancak Amerika'nın bile hava savaşı konusunda nasıl dev hatalar yapabileceğini anlatması açısından önemli bir kitap. Finaldeki F-35 bölümüyse insanın gözlerini faltaşı gibi açacak bilgiler içeriyor.

[Simon Mee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Primarily a biography rather than a deep dive into Topgun, but still an enjoyable read for a number of reasons.  Pedersen conveys personal experiences well.

The book does showcase the limits of autobiographies in some interesting ways.  His duel with an Air National Guard pilot misses some (minor but noteworthy) details recorded elsewhere.  He dislikes aspects of John Boyd, but his dream fighter plan matches Boyd's almost note for note. There is no doubting his expertise in the equipment he worked with at the time, but his criticisms of the F-35 appear to be sourced solely from clickbait articles.

You have to know your weapon and its limitations as surely as you do your airplane. So we went to school on them to uncover every shortfall. There were many shortfalls and some very technical solutions.

Still, the book has good insights into the portrayals of masculinity and militarism in the fighter pilots club, while still allowing sympathy towards the author. Nice guy, just don't expect him to break up a fight for you at a Manila bar.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want this story to end! Pedersen delivered a true American story of what life was like as a TopGun pilot. He discussed the feelings of pride and nationalism, the hardships of being away from family and home for months at a time, and how believing in something greater than oneself can define a person and their career. Top gun defined the US Navy and had it crumbled back in the early 70s, we would have never seen some of the iconic pieces of military history that exist today, such as the Tomcat, the Intruder, and the old school dog fight. What a pleasant and at times raw and insightful read into the heart of the US Military!

[John Ready Reader One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the art of the dog fight and aerial combat. Sounds like their tactics helped determine the outcomes of the Vietnam war. Maybe would have shorted the duration had they been able to operate earlier... Also sad to hear the final declaration that the type of training they pioneered in the 70's has been hampered by politics and brass at the high level. Good book overall.

[Spectre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the world's most elite training unit and the role of Navy fighters and fighter pilots from Vietnam to present day as experienced through the eyes (and career) of the original Topgun.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun to read! It didn’t feel like you were reading a book, but more so like you were sitting down with your grandpa as he told you about his life. It was just one big story that was more of a one-sided conversation.

It was quite technical (which to me made it even better) but Pedersen put some his aviator comparisons into the perspective that a civilian would maybe (if you were familiar with cars) understand.

There were a couple of things that I didn’t quite like though. When I bought this book, I was expecting to read about the founding of Topgun and how it’s been shaped through the years. While that was in the book, it didn’t seem like the main focus of the book. While it was marketed that way, it was more a memoir, where Topgun was just a part of that. It was a little disappointing that it wasn’t as marketed, but the entire story overall was so good that I don’t care much.

The last chapter, as well as other parts of the book, felt like they were an outlet for Pedersen’s frustration with the government, specifically Secretary McNamara. It was interesting to read about what is happening with naval aviation in modern times and read about Pedersen’s perspective, but he was definitely dissing on people in the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot, a great read to start out 2023 for me, and I would definitely recommend it!

4.75/5

[Giacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avete visto Top Gun (staccato, al contrario del nome ufficioso della scuola che è Topgun, attaccato)?
no? Peggio per voi. Vedetevelo.
Comunque, se avete visto il film, uno dei personaggi è il "capo" della Top Gun, nome in codice Viper, interpretato da quel gigante di Tom Skerrit. Viper ha l'aria di uno che c'è da tanto tempo, che ha visto i tempi grami degli inizi della Top Gun e che ha fatto la guerra vera (anzi quello ce lo racconta proprio).
Ecco questa biografia è la storia di Viper. Di come si sia appassionato al volo, di come abbia creato assieme agli "Original Bros" la scuola Topgun. Ma è anche la storia di come una ossessione, una passione, unita al senso del dovere ti risucchi anche la vita, ti faccia ritardare scelte ovvie che avresti dovuto prendere anni fa.
Immaginatevi un personaggio alla Clint Eastwood, anzi immaginatevi un film di Clint Eastwood su questo personaggio in cui lo stesso è interpretato proprio da Clint Easwtood (un conservatore liberale, che ha delle idee di base conservatrici ma che è anche abbastanza con la schiena dritta e ligio al suo dovere per andare a criticare il governo, quindi il contrario del maschilismo omoerotico tossico che permea Top Gun e che ne ha fatto la sua fortuna) e avrete un'idea di che libro si tratta.
5 stelle.
p.s. Top Gun - staccato - è uno dei miei film preferiti, che cito quasi a memoria in alcuni punti.

[Julia Chenoweth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty entertaining book about the guy who founded Top Gun. He kept it engaging but concise. The last chapter where he just arm chair quaterbacked naval aviation was a little annoying.

[Jennifer Malech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring, insightful, and filled with lots of heart, if you love aviation, this is a great read. I cried, I laughed, and most importantly, I walked away from this read feeling so grateful for those who went before us and served our country with great valor. The development of the Topgun school had such a great impact on our military, far more than I ever realized before picking up this book. My hat goes off to Dan Pedersen and the original Topgun bros for the incredible legacy they have left behind.

*My only reasoning for deducting a star is that some of the book gets really technical and went over my head. But that is nothing on the author, just on me as a reader. I don’t want the technical aspects of the book hindering anyone from picking up this book, because it’s truly an amazing read!

[Laura Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story about the creation and maintenance of the Navy Topgun program. I was worried that it would be dry. But it captured my attention from start to finish. Both entertaining and informational. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in military or naval history.

[Ardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Gun is a movie that I take a lot of inspiration from. There’s a lot more to it than dogfights and beach volleyball. Top Gun itself is a school that was designed to teach dogfighting (as the starting scenes of the original and the recent sequel remind us). Its curriculum was systematically designed to produce the best naval aviators in the world, to push these young pilots to their limits and sharpen their skills and abilities beyond what they thought was possible.

The impetus to create this sort of training environment sprung from the rapid drop in the Navy’s kill ratio in Vietnam, with more American jets being shot down for every one enemy jet shot down. The man who was selected to set the programme up was Dan Pedersen, who wrote this book.

It’s a brilliant autobiography of a varied Navy career, spanning combat missions in Vietnam, setting up Top Gun, and even commanding an aircraft carrier. The real highlights for me were when he described what it was like learning to fly fighter jets for the first time (which was very reminiscent of The Right Stuff to me), and critically, how he tried to set Top Gun up as a school that would build the best of the best. The teaching pedagogy of Top Gun is truly fascinating and is covered extensively in Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - it focuses heavily on forcing pilots to confront mistakes made and enabling them to learn from them in a safe space (much like Viper says in the film, “a good pilot always evaluates what’s happened, so that he can apply what he’s learned.”).

As a Top Gun fanboy, I enjoyed this book immensely. If you liked books like The Right Stuff or Sled Driver: Flying the World's Fastest Jet, there is a good chance that you too would enjoy it.

I would like to emphasise that this book has a lot to offer beyond a history of the famed Naval Fighter Weapons School - Pedersen also gives us a in-depth account of Naval and Air Force operations throughout the Vietnam War, which I found particularly interesting.

[Terence S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, let's get one thing clear. This book is not about the movie, despite the blurb and the title (unlike this book and the film, the US Navy spells Topgun as one word). What this book is, is the autobiography of former US naval aviator Dan ‘Yank’ Pedersen, a pilot who flew in the Vietnam War and became the first commander of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as Topgun. It's also a brilliantly written look at the triumphs and challenges experienced by American naval pilots during the Cold War, and a great aviation book, too.

Pedersen writes with passion and unbridled enthusiasm about the aircraft and pilots he served alongside, and manages to weave in details about technology, politics and strategy without pulling away from the excitement of his stories. He presents these details well, too, with enough information to support his views and satisfy the enthusiasts, but a style that's accessible, and enjoyable, enough to pull even non-aviation fans into the cockpit alongside him.
Pedersen’s stories don't just address the foundation of Topgun, they also provide an insight into the difficulties faced by Cold War carrier pilots, in the form of his strained relationships with his distant family or the impact of losing his friends on combat missions. This book highlights a rarely seen side of a fighter pilot's life, and Pedersen's personal triumphs and losses show the human side of men who are often regarded as one-dimensional action heroes.

Pedersen takes us through the early Jet Age, via the Vietnam War, to the foundation and growth of the now-famous Topgun training academy with a passionately written thrill ride of a story. I really enjoyed reading this book, and would happily recommend it to anyone interested in aviation or, of course, the real story behind Top Gun.

[Jordan Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amidst America’s war in Vietnam, there would emerge a groundbreaking and life-saving experiment that would fundamentally revolutionize aerial combat forever. Enter “Top Gun,” seventeen years before the blockbuster phenomenon, the United States Navy’s famed Fighter Weapons School began. Situated in San Diego, California, the auspicious training school transformed from a trailer in the desert to an integral institution fostering the world’s finest fighter pilots, ready whenever and wherever global conflicts arise.

Now, one of its most cherished founding fathers, Dan Pedersen pulls back the curtain of media hype and mystique in an insightful and in-depth memoir about Naval warfare, Air Combat Maneuvering, the brotherhood forged between pilots and the deep personal sacrifices that military service demands of those serving in the cockpit and on the home front. Unlike the testosterone charged bravado of the movie, the reality of a Top Gun ace revolves around endless training gearing up for deployments, unwavering dedication to duty and unflinching nerve when the order to scramble from the deck of an aircraft carrier arrives.

As an Air Force Brat growing up on numerous bases and having watched the movie more times than I can count, I was intrigued by Mr. Pedersen’s literary work and after listening to it on Audible, I was very impressed with his delivery and modest honesty about his thirty year odyssey flying with America’s Best and Brightest. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to fly with the best, “Top Gun: An American Story” is well worth the time to read or listen. Two Thumbs Up! Way better than the movie!

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best films of the eighties Top gun was shown here in real terms to be a hard ,gritty and technical flying experience from the best of the best Dan shared his life in full and it was a terrific read going through his naval career and family life.

Recommended to all to read!!!

[Bob Oatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I served on the USS Wichita under Captain Pedersen and so the chapter about my ship was certainly a page turner.

[Michał Jabłoński · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciekawa historia, malowniczo opowiedziana, ale skrzywdzona przez kwadratowe a miejscami nieudolne i błędne, polskie tłumaczenie...

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Przywiązałam się do tej książki. Cudownie opisana historia powstania Topgun, życia Pedersen'a oraz wojny Amerykańsko - Wietnamskiej. Motywacja do powstania Topgun'a oraz do jego dalszej historii była ogromna. I to jest piękne.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y'all know I had to.

[Maddy Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words. I love this book. So inspiring.

[Selena Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal memoir of an incredible aviator career by the founder of Topgun. Pederson really conveyed the impact and message of the Vietnam war that I was completely oblivious to, and an indisputable bravery of the men in those cockpits. What I found most endearing were the lifelong friendships rooted in shared experiences few would understand. I think many of the qualities Pederson lists throughout the book that defines a great fighter pilot applies directly to any leadership/followership position. It was just awesome to hear the stories of these legends. We can only hope to be so lucky as to find the type of bond the Original Bros forged in that stolen trailer.

[Tilly ୨ৎ]

hoping this will get me out of my reading slump for sure

[Matt Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read for anyone interested in military aviation. Some (surprising) insights into the US Navy, and the mindsets of fighter pilots. Thoroughly enjoyable (although I admit I am a bit of plane geek).

[Ross L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good Naval officer's memoir, a great telling of TopGun

Rather happy I bought this book about TopGun's origins. Although the book is about Pedersen's career and thoughts on air combat, if you want a thrilling story about the Vietnam War and air combat, start here. Rather amazed how quickly TopGun got started, and with an abandoned trailer nonetheless.

[Fish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some very interesting personal stories and some great insights of the political and social landscape of the 1950-1980’s. However there were large parts of the book that went into detail of planes and military “speak” . This may be an interest to some people but made it hard to get through.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of the famed school that spawned a revolution in air combat tactics. The author, a career Naval aviator and later Captain of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger, was one of the founders of the school that at the time of the Vietnam War was crucial in turning around the air combat that was heavily in favor of the North Vietnamese and their Soviet/ Chinese allies. American pilots and their "stand-off weapons" weren't getting the job done. Pedersen and his fellow instructors at "Fightertown USA" were tasked with bringing back the concept of "dogfighting" to counter the threat of the MiG. They accomplished this by giving the "man in the cockpit" the skills he needed to to kill his enemy and survive the rigors of aerial combat. It helped to have a platform like the F4 "Phantom" jet. But he does lament the reliance on air-to-air missiles, which at first were not reliable, and not having an internal gun built into the aircraft. This was later rectified when the F14 "Tomcat" was introduced with an internal gun (6,000 rounds per minute) built into the fuselage below the cockpit.
An interesting read and the author should be acknowledged for his forthright approach to what was wrong with our military policy in prosecuting the war in Vietnam and how it hindered the efforts of the "boots on the ground", or in this case "in the air." It is also vital, he points out, to give those at the point of the spear what they need in terms of material and support in order that they may carry out properly and quickly the policies of our government. How is it that the F35 is still not fully deployed after almost 27 years?

[Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una bella biografia che parla della creazione della scuola Topgun, ma non solo.