“Double Ace: The Life Of Robert Lee Scott Jr., Pilot, Hero, And Teller Of Tall Tales” is a 302 page biography written by Robert Coram with pictures by Jeff Von Hoene. It is about a man with dreams to become a fighter pilot. It tells of the extents he goes to get into flight school and what he learns there. It also tells of the childhood goals he achieved in his senior years. The main lesson to be learned from this wonderful book is to never give up. Robert did many great things, but none of these triumphs would be possible without persistence. If he was the type of person who gave up easily, Robert would have accomplished nothing. For example, when he drove from Texas to Georgia every weekend to visit his girlfriend, Kitty Rix, for less than an hour. With the speed limit of 55 mph and the length of the journey, the trip would take a total of 32 hours. Not only was the trip long, it was illegal. If Robert had been caught, he would have been kicked back to the infantry, which was something he definitely did not want. But Robert Lee Scott persisted and kept on trying to convince Kitty Rix to marry him. In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to individuals who think all biographies are "boring," as this book begins the idea that biographies can be interesting and even humorous. This book is also fit for those who are already fond of biographies, since it introduces something new: an informative book which can also be read for pleasure. Finally, one question I would like to ask Robert lee Scott is: "How did you complete a mission without firing the guns on your plane once?"
Double Ace: The Life of Robert Lee Scott Jr., Pilot, Hero, and Teller of Tall Tales
By Robert Coram
Robert Lee Scott was larger than life. A decorated Eagle Scout who barely graduated from high school, the young man from Macon, Georgia, with an oversize personality used dogged determination to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a famed fighter pilot. In Double Ace, veteran biographer Robert Coram, himself a Georgia man, provides readers with an unprecedented look at the defining characteristics that made "Scotty" a uniquely American hero.
First capturing national attention during World War II, Scott, a West Point graduate, flew missions in China alongside the legendary "Flying Tigers," where his reckless courage and victories against the enemy made headlines. Upon returning home, Scott's memoir, brashly titled God is My Co-Pilot, became an instant bestseller, a successful film, and one of the most important books of its time. Later in life, as a retired military general, Scott continued to add to his list of accomplishments. He traveled the entire length of China's Great Wall and helped found Georgia's Museum of Aviation, which still welcomes 400,000 annual visitors.
Yet Scott's life was not without difficulty. His single-minded pursuit of greatness was offset by debilitating bouts of depression, and his brashness placed him at odds with superior officers, wreaking havoc on his career. What wealth he gained he squandered, and his numerous public affairs destroyed his relationships with his wife and child.
Backed by meticulous research, Double Ace brings Scott's uniquely American character to life and captures his fascinating exploits as a national hero alongside his frustrating foibles.