Description: Beginning back in 1942 when, at age 5, he was mesmerized by a shiny Lockheed P-38 doing loops over his backyard, Jerry Cook dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. Against tough odds, he pursued his ambition with single-minded zeal, becoming one of the best and brightest candidates in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program in the mid-1950s. Even after his inauspicious first night solo flight - when his equipment failed but he somehow managed to land safely - Cook never wavered from his goal. Eventually, he attained Nirvana (or so he thought) when he was assigned to duty in Vietnam. Finally, he would be able to use all of his training and skills. By the time his one-year hitch was up, he had flown more than 400 combat hours. During those days, he survived more near-misses than he cares to remember - somehow maintaining his wry sense of humor in spite of everything. With rare wit, candor, and insight, Cook shares his personal experiences as one of flying's most elite group, recounting the days leading up to his distinguished military career, as well as his tour of duty in Vietnam. A compelling slice of history as well as a revealing insider's account of the rarefied world of fighter pilots, this is also a coming-of-age story of desire, determination, and dedication played out against a background of political unrest and moral uncertainty.

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