Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Overview… young Yank fighting for France. Before the United States officially entered World War I, a small group of Americans volunteered to fly some of the first fighter planes alongside the French military. Blaine Rawlings, a restless Texas rancher, joined up with every intention of quickly becoming an ace fighter pilot. As the flying proves more difficult and dangerous than he or any of the young Americans expected, though, the squadron grows into a supportive team of aviation pioneers.
Personality… a confident youth being humbled by war. Self-assured in his physical abilities attained on the ranch, Blaine is convinced he will excel at flying, but it’s tougher than he thought. Initially, he also has a hard time coping with the different personalities that make up his squadron. But his quiet demeanor and relatively humble upbringing accompany a deep commitment to hard work, making him popular even among some of the aristocratic thrill-seekers who make up the squadron. Blaine turns out to be a natural leader, though sometimes he struggles with the responsibility that implies.
Get to Know him in...
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The adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, young Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I, and became the country's first fighter pilots.
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The classic New York Times bestselling story of heroism and sacrifice--by the author of Flags of Our Fathers, The Imperial Cruise, and The China Mirage. This acclaimed bestseller brilliantly illuminates a hidden piece of World War II history as it tells the harrowing true story of nine American airmen shot down in the Pacific. One of them, George H. W. Bush, was miraculously rescued. What happened to the other eight remained a secret for almost 60 years. After the war, the American and Japanese governments conspired to cover up the shocking truth, and not even the families of the airmen were informed of what happened to their sons. Their fate remained a mystery--until now. FLYBOYS is a tale of courage and daring, of war and death, of men and hope. It will make you proud and it will break your heart.
