The Maverick War: Chennault and the Flying Tigers

The Flying Tigers was a sort of airborne flying foreign legion, credited with saving China from Japanese conquest early in World War II. This highly readable book traces its creation by Claire Chennault, a fiercely independent retired soldier appointed air adviser by Chiang Kai-shek, and its awesome accomplishments with a handful of rowdily aggressive pilots. The air battles are memorably described, but the surprise is Schultz's revelation of Chennault's battles with superiors and his often tenuous authority over his pilots (who were all civilians). Although something of a national idol in America during the war, Chennault was considered a troublemaker and nuisance by such generals as Joseph Stilwell, commander of Chinese nationalist forces, Henry Arnold, army air corps chief, and George Marshall, army chief of staff. One's sympathy is directed inevitably toward Chennault, who performed wonders at the end of a long and miserly supply line, his pilots consistently outfighting an enemy force that was grossly superior in numbers. Schultz is the author of The Last Battle Station: The Story of the USS Houston. Photos. (July 21)