Calculated Risk: The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle Aviation Pioneer and World War II Hero

by Jonna Doolittle Hoppes

Famous for leading the Tokyo Raid, America's first strike against Japan in World War II, Jimmy Doolittle led a remarkable life as an American pilot. This firsthand account by his granddaughter reveals an extraordinary individual—a scientist with a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from MIT, an aviation pioneer who was the first to fly across the United States in less than 24 hours and the first to fly “blind” (using only his plane’s instruments), a barnstormer well known for aerobatics, a popular racing pilot who won every major air race at least once, recipient of both the Congressional Medal of Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom, a four-star general, and commander of both the 8th, 12th and 15th Air Forces. This memoir provides insights into the public and private world of Jimmy Doolittle and his family and sheds light on the drives and motivation of one of America's most influential and ambitious aviators.

Genres: History, Biography, World War II, Aviation, American History, Memoir

334 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Mike Hazlip]

An excellent biography from Jimmy Doolittle's granddaughter. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes goes into her grandfather's childhood and personal life in a way other historical accounts often miss. This is the book that will bring the character of one of world's greatest aviators to life and allows the reader a glimpse into the man behind the legend.

[Megan R · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jimmy Doolittle - a very interesting life that I was excited to read about (even a Monterey bay connection!? Wow). The trouble is this book is so haphazardly written. The author gets her groove as the book progresses, but the early chapters were painful and thrown about.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of insight into Jimmy Doolottle as a person and his family. Learned a lot that other sources didn't share and I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in aviation history.

[Michelle ☕️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start, and bad writing to begin with, but it picks up and turns into a great book

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as I had previously read "I Could Never Be So Lucky Again" by Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle and Col. C.V. Glines. This book sort of dives into the personal later/adult life of Gen. Doolittle in both a touching and sentimental manner to which Gen. Doolittle sort of shied away from within his Autobiography. The Autobiography comes out the year before his death and this book dove tails his complete story. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to also read the Autobiography of Gen. Doolittle.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I wondered if my father crossed paths with him, and will never know but there were both in WWII and both pilots, although Doolittle is about 20 years older than my dad. Very well written and lots of pictures which are nice. A amazing couple...husband AND wife! A good read, and goes quickly.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doolittle was extraordinary.

He worked with Sperry to develop gyro instruments - that we still use today.

He was the first person to take off - fly - then land BLIND - WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE. All done with the new gyro instruments that he developed.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book because it not only told what Jimmy Doolittle was like but also about his wife and her encouragement to help him succeed. She is a wonderful woman and came to our book club and talked about this book and the next one she is writing.

[Bobbie Mission Viejo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fascinating book about General Doolittle. It was a fun way to get a history lesson and learn about American involvement in WWII. Gen. Doolittle had an important role in the development of American aviation and this book lovingly tells his personal and professional story.

[Carl Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Very well written to keep you in the book. I got into history because of my interest in aviation, yet I did not know a tenth of what Jimmy Doolittle did. A great book about an incredible man.

[Jon Klug · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting examination of the life of Jimmy Doolittle by his granddaughter. I read this several years ago when the author visited USAFA. As I recall, it was a good biography, but not certainly an academic work – perhaps a good source for airpower studies.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about Jimmy Doolittle. He lived an amazing life and his leadership of the Doolittle Raiders helped turn the tide in WWII.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting overall, but lack a good bit of detail on the specifics of his career as a pilot. For example did not at all go into detail about his work in IFR flying.