A Higher Call

A Higher Call reconstructs a remarkable encounter between two pilots during World War II: American airman Charlie Brown and German fighter ace Franz Stigler. The book chronicles their lives before their fateful meeting in December 1943, when Stigler's Messerschmitt Bf 109 intercepted Brown's badly damaged B-17 bomber over German territory. Author Adam Makos based the narrative on extensive interviews with both pilots, conducted more than five decades after the war. The story moves between German and American perspectives, providing context about the air war in Europe and the personal experiences of fighters on both sides. The book documents military aviation during World War II through detailed accounts of aerial combat, bomber missions, and the technical aspects of both German and American aircraft. Through careful research including photographs, military records, and firsthand accounts, Makos reconstructs the reality of aerial warfare in the 1940s. At its core, A Higher Call explores universal themes of humanity, honor, and moral choices during wartime. The narrative raises questions about the nature of duty and compassion, demonstrating how individual acts of conscience can transcend the divisions of war.

Readers emphasize the book's focus on humanity and compassion during wartime, particularly through the relationship between the American and German pilots. Many note how it challenges preconceptions about German soldiers during WWII. Liked: - Detailed research and historical accuracy - Equal attention to both American and German perspectives - Personal interviews with surviving pilots - Technical accuracy about aircraft and missions - Clear narrative style that reads like fiction Disliked: - First quarter of book contains background information some found slow - Some military history readers wanted more combat details - A few readers questioned the accuracy of dialogue reconstructed decades later Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (21,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (7,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "Shows that integrity and honor can exist even between enemies at war" - Amazon reviewer "The research that went into this book is incredible" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Franz Stigler initially trained to become a Catholic priest before changing course to become a fighter pilot, bringing an unusual moral perspective to his combat role. 🔹 The B-17 bomber involved in the story, nicknamed "Ye Olde Pub," had sustained damage from over 180 German anti-aircraft shells and fighter attacks before the encounter. 🔹 The book took Adam Makos eight years to research and write, including traveling to Germany and conducting over 100 interviews with World War II veterans. 🔹 After the war, Franz Stigler immigrated to Canada and became a successful businessman, living just 200 miles away from Charlie Brown for decades without knowing it. 🔹 The story remained untold for nearly 50 years until Charlie Brown began a search for his German benefactor in 1990, finally reuniting with Stigler in 1990 in Seattle.