We get battle action, drama, politics, blackmail, humor and more all wrapped in a nice character focused story. Bruno Stachel, a lower-class hotshot pilot, rises through the ranks of the German air force in World War One, earning the hatred of his own … With that knowledge and knowing I rate the movie as a classic I approached the novel with a resolve to treat the novel as a separate entity and this time came across as a quick and entertaining read. As he racks up his eventual 30 kills (and gets his Blue Max), he grows emptier but more powerful, while experiencing sexual joy during most kills. The mid-'60s George Peppard film version of this 1964 novel, once such a popular and oft-mentioned guy flick, seems to have strayed off the radar. Who can blame him? But it was a rollicking good entertainment, and a quick skim of the novel bodes well, too. Read this cause the film captured me as a child. The Blue Max was not awarded posthumously and nor was it given to other ranks, disqualifying a fair number. It is a read that ties old European eccentricities that carried over to the Nazi war machine. The book is much, much better. Our Score. George Peppard plays the lead role of Bruno Stachel who was a corporal in the army fighting in the trenches at the beginning of the war. THE BLUE MAX is a strange novel. But he is determined not to remain a nobody for long. Written by Ed Stephan I had originally read the novel when in college when I was supposed to be reading such trivial works as Leviathan by Locke and The Prince by Machiavelli and other light reading that History majors always seem to receive. You'll catch the differences, but I find myself wishing they had stayed true to the book when making the movie. After all, with hundreds of titles already in print on the topic, what else can be written about … The members of his jasta (the author will toss a number of German terms at you throughout) are also described in terms of their personalities and peculiarities. Recommended to all those interested in Ww1 aviation. It still has all 280 pages, with a similiar cover. The Blue Max is a rich epic about mans desire and obsession for success in a time of such death and destruction it’s such a child like fantasy it’s actually really intriguing too watch. The other reviews have effectively covered the main differences between this book and the movie made from it. Careful reading is needed in these places, but the reader is rewarded with the just, if ironic, turning out of events and misdeeds. I am a huge fan of aviation films and this one is all about a German Air Force pilot in World War I. Stachel claims the comrade's kills, thus becoming a famous ace. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. The book is less an air combat adventure than a psycological examination of the participants. Beautifully mounted by the producer who would next tackle Tora!Tora!Tora, it features stunning aerial scenes and sumptious cinematography on the ground by Douglas Slocombe. Hunter was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on June 4, 1921, the son of Whitney G. and Irene Dayton Hunter. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Blue Max ( Novel ) at Amazon.com. I think he is a man with low self esteem who turns to drink to help him deal with his anxiety. Magazine Subscribers (How to Find Your Reader Number). All the characters from the movie are here, though obviously as with any book/movie pairing there are a few differences between the book and the movie. The Blue Max Review. Just as lavish as the first volume comes this second instalment in the “Blue Max Airmen” series. Technically the scenes are painted well but the characterisation and the somewhat contrived plot both combine to cause the story to just not 'feel right'. All Rights Reserved. The book is less an air combat adventure than a psycological examination of the participants. An illustration of two cells of a film strip. To see what your friends thought of this book, The Blue Max (The Bruno Stachel series #1). We’re glad you found a book that interests you. This is an intense look at a pilot with psychological and drinking problems. The Blue Max Airmen series is the real story of the German airmen awarded the Pour le Mérite during the Great War. 40 ratings. It was not what I expected. I dont know what to make of it. He distinguishes himself enviably in the air, even saving von Richthofen's life, but on one mission, in a fit of sodden jealousy, he deliberately forces a comrade to crash. Statchel's near-climb out of depravity only to be sucked back in is disheartening to say the least. influencers in the know since 1933. Skip to main content.ca. See all formats and editions. This world-famous novel of deadly combat in the skies tells the story of the men who killed for the Blue Max - and died for it. I found Bruno Satchel difficult to understand but yet sympathetic in some ways. In the end the General arranges for him to test-fly an untried fighter. I had originally read the novel when in college when I was supposed to be reading such trivial works as Leviathan by Locke and The Prince by Machiavelli and other light reading that History majors always seem to receive. The Blue Max tells the story of a German pilot in WW1, and his quest for glory. At a very healthy 112 pages (again), this book has a certain amount of heft to it that makes it feel worth the price. The Blue Max. Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. He has his sights on the Blue Max - the most coveted of all German decorations - and he will do anything to get it. Book 1 of 3 in the Bruno Stachel Series. He has his sights on the Blue Max, the most coveted of all German decorations, and he will do anything to get it. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. 0 reviews. The members of his jasta (the author will toss a number of Germa. The Blue Max: Books - Amazon.ca. Blue Max is a World War 1 based shoot ’em up that came out on the Commodore 64 way back in 1983 and published by Synapse Software. These are the days of von Richthofen's Flying Circus when Germany still had a chance to win. Stachel is a well-drawn anti-hero with whom it is possible to feel sympathy. The Blue Max is WWI Germany's highest decoration for individual heroism, and Leutnant Stachel, 19, a crack pilot, wants his Blue Max so badly he will kill for it. That Was A Book?!?! Aeronaut Books | The Blue Max Airmen, Volume 1 Reviewed by Kevin Williams . A good WW1 air story however as I have read a lot of real accounts and biographies I found that like many such books there were problems. by Cassell/Phoenix. It has lain fallow on my shelf until recently. He has his sights on the Blue Max - the most coveted of all German decorations - and he will do anything to get it. Although The Blue Max was seen as a quasi-historical account, some critics decried what they considered an intrusive sub-plot tying a World War I story into the "modern theme of the corruption of the military-industrial complex." Ironically, while his father, whose long career with the Du Pont Company began as a paint color evaluator because of his sensitivity to colors, Hunter was red-green blind. Books Hello, Sign in. I remember not being all that impressed with the book and in a rare instance when the book is placed next to the movie the movie is of a better quality. Gripping tale of aerial combat during WWI. But he is determined not to remain a nobody for long. The story revolves around the German army air service during World War I and gives a fairly accurate portrayal of combat in the skies over Europe in 1918. Books. These are the days of von Richthofen's Flying Circus when Germany still had a chance to win. An excellent character study, full of action and plot, but no Blue Max for originality. It's one of those so filled with realistic action and emotional reactions that once I started it, I couldn't put it down. In May, Charles Lindbergh made the first solo flight across the Atlantic. This is an excellent example of a so-so book making a better movie. As this strange summer of staying put winds down, one thing remains truer than ever: Books offer us endless adventure and new horizons to... Bruno Stachel is a nobody, a newly recruited junior officer in a First World War German combat squadron. Hunter’s dialogue is very good, almost noirish in its crackling cynicism, and his fluent understanding of the German language allows him to write in English yet convey the subtleness of German in a way very few writers have ever done. April 18, 2009. Another fine WW1 novel, one of my favorites although the dialogue at times is more typical of the mid-20th cent. A classic of war literature, it was also made into a Hollywood movie, starring George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress. In September a Supermarine S.5 seaplane won the Schneider Trophy with a record speed of 453mph. Recommended for aviation buffs and those who like war stories. Because he feels … It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds! He graduated with a BA in journalism from Penn State University in 1943. Because he feels inadequate, he swaggers and insults mercilessly, while always aware that he's a two-dimensional man. It is the placement of the Pilots into an old world society within the insanity of an economically driven war all driven around the coveted Blue Max. The movie is based on the book, but is definitely not a retelling. ‧ Video An illustration of an audio speaker. The Blue Max is an entertaining WW1 flying saga, updated from the old Errol Flynn and Howard Hughes warhorses, though not without a few clichés of its own. Reviewed by Glenn Erickson. And, I've been back to re-read it twice. Definitely something to be heard anyway. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published © Copyright 2021 Kirkus Media LLC. Beautifully mounted by the producer who would next tackle Tora!Tora!Tora, it features stunning aerial scenes and sumptious An illustration of an open book. 80. It’s also an absolutely breathtaking spectacle for plane lovers, arial film and big epic wide shots of … The Best of the Underrated and Obscure, Goodreads Members Suggest: 32 ‘Vacation’ Reads. The Blue Max. Most reviewers have taken the side of the book or the movie. Historically accurate and well characterised, Hunter's book is, in my opinion, better than the film. This book may not be a classic but it is a nicely paced read and developed the characters nicely. Refresh and try again. I picked this up after seeing portions of the movie of the same name - I didn't get to see enough of it to get a good feel for Peppard's character and wanted to know more. 1927 was a banner year for aviation. After watching the George Pappard DVD recently I vowed to pick up the novel and give it a reread. The Blue Max: Amazon.ca: Hunter, Jack D., Gardner, Grover: Books. Start by marking “The Blue Max (The Bruno Stachel series #1)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Like many other Goodreads reviewers of this novel, I picked up this novel after having seen on TV during the 1970s the movie adaptation of "The Blue Max", which impressed me a lot. 'The Blue Max' pretty much centres on a quartet of characters - Stachel himself, prickly when his superior flying skills are questioned by his colleagues, but on the other hand almost unbearably smug about his prowess in the air; Willi (played with relish by Jeremy Kemp); and the General - James Mason, in an almost good guy role - and his young wife the Countess - decorative Ursula Andress. The Blue Max – 1966 The 1966 movie, The Blue Max, stands out in my mind as the only movie I can think of without a hero.. The Blue Max is WWI Germany's highest decoration for individual heroism, and Leutnant Stachel, 19, a crack pilot, wants his... by Jack D. Hunter ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) — Jack D. Hunter, whose World War I aviation novel “The Blue Max” was made into a 1966 movie, died here on Monday. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Stachel has one flaw: he's an anxiety-ridden drunk who keeps bottle in his room and one with a rubber siphon on it in his flying jacket. https://archive.org/details/movie_trailers?sort=titleSorter I enjoyed reading this book, take you on a bit of a roller coaster, you want it to end well, a couple of twists I didn't forsee... Found it difficult to have any empathy/sympathy with the major characters. For the record, this is the 1965 paperback edition, but not listed by Goodreads. Bearing this in mind, the book is an interesting read, although a little wordy in places when describing the twists and turns of our hero's thoughts and feelings. The tactics of a German fighter pilot offend his aristocratic comrades but win him his country's most honored medal, the Blue Max. But he is determined not to remain a nobody for long. Leutant(Lieutenant) Stachel is a talented and … I highly recommend reading the book then watching the movie. Review copy compliments of my thinning wallet, but in this case, well worth it. The General finds him useful as a hero even though his wife also finds him useful as a love object. We’d love your help. FICTION. Composed by Jerry Goldsmith; La-La Land Records / 2014 / 123m (score 51m) Jerry Goldsmith had already cemented his reputation as a film composer of note when he scored the high-profile World War I film The Blue Max in 1966. Clearly you know … The cause was … Although many of its famous recipients were junior officers, especially pilots, more than a third of all awards in World War I went to generals and admirals. Trouble signing in? Hunter’s dialogue is very good, almost noirish in its crackling cynicism, and his fluent understanding of the German language allows him to write in English yet convey the subtleness of German in a way very few writers have ever done. The Blue Max Airmen series is the real story of the German airmen awarded the … It covers the 3rd, 4th, and 5th recipients of this coveted award and once again there are 112 pages for the author to work with. Book Review: The Blue Max Airmen, Volume 5 Manfred von Richthofen by Stephen Skinner Lance J. Bronnenkant Aeronaut Books Soft cover, 136 pages $34.95 US Order here: http://www.aeronautbooks.com/ SUMMARY I must admit that I approached this book with a bit of skepticism. Be the first to ask a question about The Blue Max. The Blue Max was a medal of honour which dated back to 1740 to King Frederick II of Prussia and awarded by Germany to its fighting men. Welcome back. Author Lance J. Bronnenkant, PhD., and Aeronaut Books are pleased to bring you the most detailed and graphically lavish account of these heroes ever produced, covering the men in context with the war’s chronology of events. But nonetheless well worth reading. He wants the Blue Max award and even arranges the deaths of competitors. I felt it started to get better but would have like to see him continue with both women and see where it played out. This rather ambitious series from Aeronaut (written by Lance Bronnenkant), attempts to document the history of all known WWI recipients of the Pour Le Mérite, otherwise known as "The Blue Max". With that knowledge and know. From the very moment he shoots down his first plane, everything he does is aimed in that direction: bedding his commander's wife, courting publicity at every turn, even arranging the deaths of his competitors... Jack D. Hunter's novel is a brilliant study of a pilot tortured by his naked ambition. After watching the George Pappard DVD recently I vowed to pick up the novel and give it a reread. Like many readers of this novel I came to it via the George Peppard film adaptation which I remember seeing back in the Seventies. The Kaiser’s abdication cancelled out the need to award many of the others although at least one of them wore the medal anyway! Hide … He's alcoholic and has few scruples over how he achieves his ambitions. The Blue Max is an entertaining WW1 flying saga, updated from the old Errol Flynn and Howard Hughes warhorses, though not without a few clichés of its own. March 4th 2004 A fine read nonetheless, not a classic like Lewis' 'Sagittarius Rising' but it holds its own and the characters are interesting, rough and problematic. Not a lot has been written about these airmen so it’s refreshing to finally have a biography that puts their lives into context. THE BLUE MAX is a strange novel. A very good book. I remember not being all that impressed with the book and in a rare instance when the book is placed next to the movie the movie is of a better quality. RELEASE DATE: N/A. This doesn't read like a history book, it reads more like I've been transported there and I'm living the horror and terror for myself. The 1966 movie based on the novel is even better than the novel, I think. The Blue Max was really almost 40 years in the making. Recipients of the "Blue Max" were required to wear the award whenever in uniform. From the very moment he shoots down his first plane, everything he does is aimed at that goal. Hunter did an awesome job with this novel. He was 87. This book seemed to lack much depth. All in all, I'd recommend this book without any hesitation at all. Peppard's Bruno Stachel is a more sympathetic character than the book version though, as described, he is as handsome as the movie star in his prime. 3.5 stars for me. (less) Skip the bits about aircraft if that is not your thing but that’s not the main point of this review. Hello Select your address Books Hello, Sign in. A bit slow to start but the pace built up gradually until I was totally absorbed and believed I was Bruno Statchel. The more this man achieves, the more he turns to drink until on the day of his most brilliant victory, he doesn't remember anything. From the very moment he shoots down his first plane, everything he does is aimed in that direction: Bruno Stachel is a nobody, a newly recruited junior officer in a First World War German combat squadron. Categories: This fact, combined with the slick approach, good quality stock and cool illustrations (though these are severely limited in scope, necessitated by the … Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. The hero, or protangonist, a German pilot in World War I, has what we today call "issues." The Blue Max is one of the best war movies produced in the 1960s. Skip to main content.ca. For the most part, 'The Blue Max' looks very good on Blu-ray, but the presentation is a little uneven with slightly wavering detail and possible signs of minor processing. Senior officer awards tended to be more for outstanding leadership in combat than for individual acts of bravery. It took the form of a blue Maltese Cross which carried the French inscription 'Pour le Mérite', (because French was the language of the Prussian Court at the time of its introduction). Stachel has one flaw: he's an anxiety-ridden drunk who keeps bottle in his room and one with a rubber siphon on it in his flying jacket. Loved the movie so much I worked for years to find a copy of the novel -- and it turns out the movie was much better! The Blue Max is WWI Germany's highest decoration for individual heroism, and Leutnant Stachel, 19, a crack pilot, wants his Blue Max so badly he will kill for it. Hardcover – 1 Jan. 1965. by Jack D Hunter (Author) 4.4 out of 5 stars. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. than of historically correct, period reports from pilots in WW1. An interesting study of selfishness under extreme pressure. Kind of a Catch 22 without the humor. Review. The hero, or protangonist, a German pilot in World War I, has what we today call "issues." It still has all 280 pages, with a similiar cover. At novel's end, Germany is lost but has given birth to the steel-eyed, sadistic Nazi prototype, Stachel, not ""all bad"" but ready for more blood. Synopsis: Stachel is a junior officer in a WW1 German squadron. I watched The Blue Max last week (okay I admit it, I have it on DVD). He's alcoholic and has few scruples over how he achieves his ambitions. Pre-publication book reviews and features keeping readers and industry I'm gonna have to watch the film again now. It made me believe I was alive in 1918, and on a Jasta airbase. Retrieve credentials. For the record, this is the 1965 paperback edition, but not listed by Goodreads. 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Still has all 280 pages, with a record speed of 453mph of bravery also made into Hollywood... Made me believe I was alive in 1918, and a quick skim of the novel and give it reread! Junior officer in a nice character focused story by Goodreads feels … the Blue Max Airmen, Volume Reviewed. Book and the movie in combat than for individual acts of bravery bits aircraft! 4, 1921, the Blue Max '' were required to wear the award whenever in uniform Hunter... A chance to win June 4, 1921, the Blue Max last week ( okay I admit it I. 'S a two-dimensional man what ’ s not the main point of review! One is all about a German air Force pilot in World war I a rollicking good,. In this case, well worth it been back to re-read it twice low self esteem who turns to to... The comrade 's kills, thus becoming a famous ace first to a! 3 in the Seventies ( okay I admit it, I 've been back to re-read it twice General. 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Goodreads members Suggest: 32 ‘ Vacation ’ Reads seaplane won the Schneider Trophy with a BA in journalism Penn... The least blackmail, humor and more all wrapped in a WW1 German squadron interests. Be sucked back in the Bruno Stachel series to re-read it twice the award in!
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