Ace of the Black Cross: The Memoirs of Ernst Udet Hardcover – 30 Jun. 2013

A hugely enjoyable read, even if a little uneven at times. It ends just as the Nazi era is emerging, so Udet's concluding sentences are for a false dawn. (A longer introduction or postscript would have been nice, just to convey the extent to which he felt betrayed by Goering etc). However, as an account of the early years of aerial combat it is a treasure.There's a list of aerial victories at the end but no attempt at the 'who got who', which can sometimes be an interesting exercise. Overall though an excellent addition to the collection of anyone with an interest in aviation history or World War I.

I have admired Udet for many years having first read the book "Udet, A Man's life". I enjoyed this book for the fact that it was written by him as a young man and captured the spirit of the time and his attitude to his life.

Perhaps a slightly dated style, but one that reflects the time in which it was written. Udet's memoir is written in a boys own adventure style, light on detail, but covers the key points of the story. The post war elements jump around quite a bit and the timeline is a little unclear, though does well demonstrate the uncertainty and hollowness bring experienced by audit and his former colleagues. This book does effectively convey the emotional and physical turmoil experienced by the young pilots, as well as the disconnection they experienced with those back at home.The memoir ends in the mid 1930s with a chilling salutation to Hitler as the saviour of Germany, and an apt reminder that Uddt was a committed Nazi by the end of his life, despite his accusations against Goering for betraying him.

far less interesting and insightful than similar WW1 pilot memoirs I have read.