'This is the best personal narrative of a start-to-finish career of a fighter pilot I have ever seen...factually accurate...pleasantly readable. It will captivate the neophyte to the world of flying and the old-hand as well' - Arthur H. Sanfelici, Editor, "Aviation History". Climb aboard a jet fighter for the most hair-raising ride of your life! 'Once a fighter pilot, always a fighter pilot'. The old adage epitomizes Jerry Cook, who spent 28 years at the controls of Air Force jets, including some 400 hours flying F-4 Phantoms on combat missions over Vietnam. Here is an unflinching account of his experiences - alternately poignant and side-splitting, always extraordinarily honest and compelling. Cook gives you a rare insider's glimpse into the world of flying's elite, describing the rigorous training required to become an Air Force fighter pilot and revealing the true nature of men thought of as swaggering, larger-than-life top guns.You'll meet flesh-and-blood human beings who feel all the fears and misgivings you would expect of people facing death almost daily. Cook also whisks you along on heart-stopping combat missions. Fly with him in Air Force F-4 Phantoms over enemy territory dodging shrapnel, missiles, and other aircraft. Along the way, you'll get an eye-opening look at one of the most tumultuous eras in U.S. history - as seen through the eyes of men who risked their lives for a cause that threatened to tear a nation apart.