Book Review: F-14 Tomcat Pilot

 F-14 Tomcat Pilot by Phil Grandfield begins with an account of 'being bitten by the aviation bug' and the flurry of excitement to follow. After a brief description about the naval roots that ran in his family and the childhood reminiscences of Hawai, it starts talking about aviation training and takes a deep dive into all the accompanying missions. Comes the days at the prestigious US Navy Test Pilot School, and the author's move to Naval Air Forces Pacific staff, California, followed by the command of 'Black Knights'. And the book ends with the recollection of crossing every meridian of longitude around the globe with the Navy and having visited over thirty-five countries.
Pilots, I think are the ones most proud of their profession, and here is one who could beautifully express it too. There is excitement in every page, and it lasted long after I finished the last page. For, this is a story that blends well, breathtaking flight ops, unparalleled adventure, and the human side of service.