The Magnificent Mitscher

Book excerpt: “First-class . . . more than the biography of a great aviator and military leader. It also is a detailed and lively history of naval aviation.” —The New York Times Air Adm. Marc Mitscher is a legend in military circles for developing an entirely new concept of war at sea. His skills as both a carrier tactician and genius for leading men rank him with the best World War II combat commanders. However, because Mitscher shunned publicity and destroyed his private papers shortly before his death in 1947, his accomplishments are not widely known. In this outstanding biography, Theodore Taylor traces the aviator’s brilliant career from its beginnings and makes clear the major role played by the admiral in developing the Navy’s air program, providing a lively and detailed history of the progress of naval aviation. “The likable personality and day by day achievements of Mitscher shine through to lift this above the run of the mill military biography.” —Kirkus Reviews