Francis Gary Powers (1929–1977)

I've probably read this previously, but decided to do it again...great read! It's a no nonsense account of how Powers was approached, and eventually accepted, his job as a civilian CIA pilot. And later how he began over flying Russia. He was shot down, captured and tossed in Lubyanka and Vladimir prisons. His show trial made international news. His account is thrilling and was delayed for some years after the event, a sign of the times. I enjoyed the read and it was reminiscent of some times in my life. Yes, U-2s are still flying in the 21st century.… (mere)

This is an autobiography. I enjoyed it as I did not know much about this event. Of course, being an autobiography, it will be very one sided, but it is important for the pilot to get out his side of the story. This book was out 10 years after his flight. At the end he gave his opinions on the good and bad of him being shot down as far as what America learned. He seems to think that the American public finding out about the U-2 at this time and the spying the government was doing led to the American interest in spy novels and movies.… (mere)

This is an excellent account of Powers life before and after his shoot down over the Soviet Union and prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He talks some about the U-2’s pluses and minuses which is still in service. Powers takes the CIA to task for leaving him unprepared and later to be scapegoated after his kangaroo trial and imprisonment. He argues that well that he should have been treated better by certain members of Congress, the press, the CIA and by the Air Force. He is absolutely right on all counts. He speaks about San Francisco columnist Herb Caen who encouraged a letter writing campaign, Cardinal Spellman who had visited his Turkey airbase, and his personally rewarding flight into the sunset flying U-2s for Lockheed out of Los Angeles, California. Powers absolves Ike for not knowing what was happening but that is his prerogative as such a large figure in US history. This is an excellent book on the virtues of US Air Force pilots and the dangers they face in order to survive their missions. No index, 16 pages of photos.… (mere)