Rating: 
Summary: Dry, boring recitation of the facts
Review: A good history should focus on the extraordinary events and the good meaty stories, then surround them with details and everyday events and ordinary happenings. All of Gamble's good stories get buried. By drudging up all the minutiae and every little detail, Gamble may be historically accurate, but he's also boring as hell. It seems like time waiting in the chow line gets as many pages as some of the heroic battles. Also, Gamble keeps harping on Boyington, going back to how his claimed kills don't match the Japanese records, his alcoholism, his insubordination, yadda yadda. Bringing these subjects up once, even twice, is appropriate, but Gamble keeps harping on them. And his theory that Boyington didn't suffer while a POW is ludicrous--that he's less of a hero than some others because he didn't lose as much weight? Please. By grinding his own axe, he loses the reader in the process.
Rating: 
Summary: Everything you wanted to know and more!
Review: Bruce Gamble's account on the History of the famed VMF-214 provides a detailed look into the lives of Marine fighter pilots during the Pacific War in WWII. From the formation of the squadron thru to it's most recent history, you really get a sense of what it must have been like. This book is a perfect companion to Boyington's, Baa Baa Black Sheep or Frank Walton' s, Once They Were Eagles. Gamble's extensive research includes numerous interviews with surviving members of 214. Having read Boyington's and Walton's books, I expected that Gamble would address the 'story telling' that Boyington was know for, and he does. The Black Sheep were not the bunch of untried misfits that they have been made out to be and Gamble goes the distance in clearing that up. My only problem with his work is that, at times, he seems to take pleasure in proving out Boyington to be a liar. I think most of us would accept that Boyington was telling his story, as he saw it. Certainly he added details to 'enhance' his exploits in the war, but so what? Gamble is right to point out differences when he sees them but the final judgement should be with the reader. Greg Boyington has been credited with 28 air victories during the war. Gamble, and others, have shown that three of his Flying Tiger kills did not likely take place, fair enough. Gamble goes further to say that Boyington's final two victorys should also not count since they were not witnessed, or supported by Japanese records. If that requirement was applied to other aces of the war then there scores would suffer as well. It is enough to say that Boyington most likely had 25 kills, but has claimed and been credited for 28. Let the man rest in peace. Once you get past that, Bruce Gamble's book is a must read for WWII aviation fans.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING UNIT HISTORY !
Review: Dear MR. Gamble: I hope you continue in your career writing about NAval (or Army) air units in WW II, because what you did in this book is amazing. The history is great, researched to the end. It gives us not only information about VMF-214 and Pappy, but also about Navy aviation in the War. Amazing!
Rating: 
Summary: An unfair and unbalanced agenda....
Review: Decently written squadron history- if a bit dry. Mr. Gamble's relentless attacks on Greg Boyington became old- fast. Like another reviewer said- "He's less of a hero because he lost less in weight in Japanese captivity??" Give me a break indeed... Having my MA in history I recognize the current trend in historical writing- tear down a hero. It's a tactic that's been directed at figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee of late. Modern writers believe that in order to sell books they need to generate controversy. What better way to stand out from the crowd and sell books than to rip apart an American hero? Was Greg Boyington perfect? No. Was he a hero? Yes. Let the man rest in peace- he earned it. If viewers of the History Channel knew of Mr. Gamble's attacks on Col. Boyington in print I don't think he'd be invited back to chat with Mr. Vanocur. While watching Mr. Gamble's appearances one would think that Greg Boyington was his favorite uncle- these appearances are what lead me to buy and read his book. I was ambushed to say the least. Very disappointing. A missed opportunity- if there ever was a figure in history who required a writer/biographer capable of a balanced protrayal it was Boyington. Unfortunately he didn't get it in this book. I shudder to think of the tone of the Greg Boyington bio Mr. Gamble is working on.
Rating:
Summary: An unfair and unbalanced agenda....
Review: Decently written squadron history- if a bit dry. Mr. Gamble's relentless attacks on Greg Boyington became old- fast. Like another reviewer said- "He's less of a hero because he lost less in weight in Japanese captivity??" Give me a break indeed... Having my MA in history I recognize the current trend in historical writing- tear down a hero. It's a tactic that's been directed at figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Robert E. Lee of late. Modern writers believe that in order to sell books they need to generate controversy. What better way to stand out from the crowd and sell books than to rip apart an American hero? Was Greg Boyington perfect? No. Was he a hero? Yes. Let the man rest in peace- he earned it. If viewers of the History Channel knew of Mr. Gamble's attacks on Col. Boyington in print I don't think he'd be invited back to chat with Mr. Vanocur. While watching Mr. Gamble's appearances one would think that Greg Boyington was his favorite uncle- these appearances are what lead me to buy and read his book. I was ambushed to say the least. Very disappointing. A missed opportunity- if there ever was a figure in history who required a writer/biographer capable of a balanced protrayal it was Boyington. Unfortunately he didn't get it in this book. I shudder to think of the tone of the Greg Boyington bio Mr. Gamble is working on.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Pacific War histories
Review: Here is a study of a Marine Corps fighter squadron that until now has been famous for just one man, Pappy Boyington. But VMF-241 had one life before Boyington became its skipper, and another after he vanished into a Japanese prison camp.Especially welcome are Bruce Gamble's comparisons of U.S. claims with Japanese losses, teasing out the truth of these long-ago encounters. In this, he stands with American naval historian John Lundstrom and British aviation writer Christopher Shores. How amazing that 50 years had to go by before historians thought to look at the records kept by the other side!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific reading
Review: I found the book in a used-book store and bought it.
Engrossing from beginning to end. The characters depicted are truly the stuff that heros are made of. These swashbucklers are all irrepresible.R eading about them makes you feel proud and a little envious. They lived their lives to the full. A great read and a must for Boyington fans.
P.S. If anyone could lead me to Henry S. Miller's 'Solomon Islands Diary from March 3 to November 13, 1943 ', I would be much obliged.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fine Chronicle
Review: I remember my parents allowing me to stay up late on school nights to watch Baa Baa Black Sheep on TV. Being an 8 year-old boy, the planes were the biggest draw for me; but the portrayal of Pappy and the Black Sheep left a mark in my memory. In high school I read Boyingtons book but could find no others on the squadron worth reading so my view of the VMF-214 was admittedly a skewed one. Until now. Mr. Gamble does a fine job putting the Black Sheep into perspective. His level of detail shows the depth of research he undertook yet his writing style flows smoothly and does not bog down the story. I learned much and enjoyed every chapter. My only complaints would be that he seemed a bit vindictive at times towards Boyington and more pics showing the differences in aircraft that he describes throughout the text would have been appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING !
Review: I'm an avid reader of WW II fighter combat books, and I can hoenstly say: this is the best I've ever read. Fully researched, fast-paced without forgetting informations, great!
Rating:
Summary: The True Baa Baa Black Sheep
Review: This study of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 really hits home to a fellow follower of the televison series. I too stayed up late to watch the series and waited with great anticipation to see "Pappy" and the gang take on everyone and everything and win the battle. I never read Boyington's book and would like to pick up a copy to check his facts against those listed in this book. As a student of the Civil War I've come to realize, that the older men get, the more fierce the battles they fought. Within these pages Mr. Gambles eye for detail sheds new light on the air war over the Solomons. My only concern is the finite level of detail used to put forth this work. One can tell the level of research was exhausting, however, it should not be as exhausting to go through the book. Also, the repetitive nature of Boyington's faults needs not to appear quite so often. 20/20 hindsight is not only usefull for statistical research but damaging as well, so let's not forget the men of the 214 that went to battle and lost their lives for the very liberties we now enjoy! Take Boyinton's accounts with a grain of salt and allow the man his glory. He gave America hope during a time in which we needed a hero.
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