Dead Engine Kids : World War II Diary of John J. Briol, B-17 Ball Turret Gunner
by John J. Briol

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Book Reviews of Dead Engine Kids : World War II Diary of John J. Briol, B-17 Ball Turret Gunner

Book Review: Really great -- should form the basis for a movie
Summary: 5 Stars

Great praise to John Welch for recognizing the value of his crew mate's (Briol's) diary when he saw it, and even more praise for his effort to make sure it was published so it could be shared with others.

And also, GREAT PRAISE for John Briol, the diarist, whose writings make up 95%+ of this book.

My iumpression is that John Briol, in large part, wrote this for you -- for US.

John had a sense that something was happening -- aerial war, conditions almost unendurable, terror, fear, courage, caring -- that needed to be captured and shared with someone both to preserve his sanity but also to pass something on to others (to US). He was not at all sure that he would survive but he hoped his diary would and he made arrangements to protect it in case he was killed.

John was obviously a perceptive man with a good facility for expressing himself. He never tried to be "literary" or to pose as an author. He simply -- and quite spontaneously and tellingly -- recorded day after day what it was like to endure combat and the threat of no return, measuring his required time against the required number of combat missions. He brought me really there. (His sentiments may be somewhat similar to those our soldiers in Iraq are feeling in April of '04).

I found his compassion (and those of other crerw members) for the civilian casualites to be somewhat affirming of the human race.

This is an EXCELLENT book. If a movie could capture the essence of this, it would be somewhere between "The Fog of War" and "Saving Private Ryan." It should be made.

Thank you, John Brion -- and John Welch -- for sharing.

General Books

• Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > General
• Professionals & Academics > Military & Spies
• History > Europe > General