A long time friend of General Chuck Yeager, Colonel Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson was a triple ace (credited with 16 ¼ kills) during World War 2. Fighting over Germany in 1944 and 1945 in the legendary P-51 Mustang, this is his story. There have been many books published about the air war over Germany during those war years, but this is clearly one of the best. If you want to get a “feel” for what it was like to fly and fight in combat, the emotions, the actions, the reflexes, the instant death, this is your book. Such was Anderson’s skills that he never suffered any battle damage nor aborted a combat flight. Anderson describes in detail the tactics and the skills necessary to survive in aerial combat over Germany. He would later go on to serve as a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force and fly combat missions in the F-105 in Vietnam. All in all, it is a spellbinding story and a must read if you’re a serious student of WW2 aerial combat. The first chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Anderson tells of a nail biting one-on-one duel with a ME-109 over the skies of Germany fought at 35,000 feet! Anderson comes with inches of being blown out of the sky but through his guts and flying skills actually downs the enemy! The famous aviation writer Ernest K Gann commented: “To Fly & Fight is one hell of a reading excitement. It gallops boldly through hostile skies and still takes moments to bring us the incomparable beauties aloft.”

Item is a MINT condition 306 (with photographs) page hardback book. It and the dustcover are in flawless condition and Col. Anderson has signed the opening page. The book also features a foreword by General Yeager! Now in his seventies, Col. Anderson still flies and to this day has not lost his boyish enthusiasm for the freedom and beauty of flying.

Bid with confidence, I am a proud member of the Universal Autograph Collector’s Club or UACC (and published, see May-June, 2004 edition of The Pen and Quill UACC's official bi-monthly publication). I abide by its strict code of ethics. Money is cheerfully refunded if not totally satisfied with item.

Shipping Information:

I don’t like paying shipping any more than you do. In reality I only break even or oftentimes lose money with every item that I ship. But that is my commitment to my buyers for safe, secure and inexpensive shipping. I will happily combine shipping for multiple purchases. Books are individually wrapped in bubble wrap and tape. The book is then packed with peanuts inside a box to prevent any damage during shipping. Domestic priority S&H is $8.00 (USPS Flat Rate is $8.95), international 1st class shipping is $17, $14 for our friends in Canada. Thanks for visiting my auction and good luck with your bidding!

Bill Ownbey