December 1943: A badly damaged American bomber struggles to fly over wartime Germany. At the controls is twenty-one-year-old Second Lieutenant Charlie Brown. Half his crew lay wounded or dead on this their first mission. Suddenly, a Messerschmitt fighter pulls up on the bomber’s tail. The pilot is German ace Franz Stigler and he can destroy the young American crew with the squeeze of a trigger.
Their code said to fight with fearlessness and restraint, to celebrate victories not death, and to know when it was time to answer a higher call.
Adam Makos’ “A Higher Call” is a gripping narrative of wartime honor and unexpected connection between two enemy pilots: German ace Franz Stigler and American bomber pilot Charlie Brown. The book, a bestseller, has been widely lauded for its inspiring message of humanity amidst the brutal realities of World War II. However, while the story is undeniably compelling, a deeper examination reveals some significant shortcomings in its execution and overall impact.
At its core, “A Higher Call” skillfully crafts a suspenseful tale of survival. Brown, piloting a severely damaged B-17 over Germany, is on the brink of disaster when Stigler, flying a fearsome Messerschmitt Bf 109, intercepts him. Instead of delivering the fatal blow, Stigler, motivated by a complex mix of personal code and moral conscience, escorts Brown and his crew to safety. The subsequent decades-long search for each other and eventual reunion forms the emotional bedrock of the narrative.
Makos excels at building tension and immersing the reader in the airborne theater of war. His detailed descriptions of the aerial combat, the psychological pressures faced by the airmen, and the perilous conditions they endured are undeniably engaging. He also does a commendable job of reconstructing the historical context, providing sufficient background information for readers unfamiliar with the European theater of World War II.
However, the strength of the story is also its weakness. Makos’s meticulous research, while impressive, often overshadows the narrative flow. The book is laden with biographical details, historical digressions, and technical specifications, which, while informative, can feel overwhelming and disrupt the pacing. At times, “A Higher Call” reads more like a meticulously researched historical document than a compelling human drama.
Furthermore, the book’s hagiographic portrayal of both Stigler and Brown diminishes their complexity as individuals. While their actions were undoubtedly courageous and admirable, portraying them as paragons of virtue throughout the war feels simplistic and unrealistic. The book glosses over potentially problematic aspects of their past and motivations, painting them in an almost saintly light. This lack of nuance undermines the story’s credibility and reduces the emotional impact of their eventual reconciliation.
Another significant critique lies in the book’s narrow focus. “A Higher Call” primarily centers on the experiences of American and German pilots, neglecting the broader context of the war and the immense suffering inflicted upon civilians. While the book highlights an act of compassion in the air, it largely ignores the systematic brutality happening on the ground. This omission creates a skewed perspective, potentially minimizing the overall horror and devastation of the war.
Finally, the book’s reliance on sentimentalism occasionally feels manipulative. The dramatic reconstruction of events and the emotionally charged language, while effective in creating a sense of awe and wonder, sometimes teeter on the edge of melodrama. This can leave readers feeling manipulated rather than authentically moved.
In conclusion, “A Higher Call” is a captivating story with a powerful message of hope and reconciliation. Its depiction of courage, honor, and the potential for humanity amidst conflict is undeniably inspiring. However, the book suffers from its overly detailed research, its simplistic portrayal of its protagonists, its narrow historical focus, and its occasional descent into sentimentalism. While undeniably a compelling read, “A Higher Call” ultimately sacrifices depth and complexity for the sake of a streamlined, easily digestible narrative, leaving the reader with a story that is more inspiring than truly insightful. It’s a tale of heroism, yes, but one that could have soared even higher with a more critical and nuanced approach.