Damn Lucky

books.md

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 	Indeed, it's really a weird wrinkle of history that one of history's greatest scientists was called upon to play an integral role during the American Revolution. The question of American independence was one Franklin initially did not see as pressing, and his ability to shift gears accordingly and play the most crucial of parts in 1776 is intimately detailed by Isaacson.
 
 * [*The Education of a Coach*, David Halberstam](http://www.amazon.com/Education-Coach-David-Halberstam/dp/1401308791) Yes, yes, I know. Spygate. It's difficult for most NFL fans to warm up to Belichick unless, like me, you hail from Boston, MA. Know, however, that this biography was authored by the late David Halberstam, who is undoubtedly the greatest sports journalist of all time. Moreover, Belichick is a fascinating character whose work ethic (as shown in this biography) is incredible. I highly recommend in combination with [*A Football Life*](http://www.amazon.com/NFL-Football-Life-Bill-Belichick/dp/B00DBPBQAE), the NFL Films documentary on him.
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+* [*Damn Lucky: One Man's Courage During the Bloodiest Campaign in Aviation History*, Kevin Maurer](https://www.amazon.com/Damn-Lucky-Bloodiest-Military-Campaign-ebook/dp/B092T8F47P) John Luckadoo flew 25 bomber aircraft missions in 1943-1944 when most pilots during that time did not survive ten. I couldn't put this one down as it has the unbelievalable action sequences of a real life *Top Gun II* mixed with Maurer's incredibly detailed writing about Luckadoo's life and WWII. Bomber pilots during this time had to face extreme German anti-aircraft fire (called flak) and German fighters hounding them. The story is told from the bomber pilot perspective; B-17 "flying fortress" aircraft had 10 people flying in them and dropped 500lb bombs on industrial and other Nazi Germany targets that helped swing the outcome of the war. Many of these missions resulted in heavy losses, including one over Munster where of the [13 aircraft that left, only one returned](https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/mission-munster). Luckadoo and the 100th Bomb Group are heroes and this book is a remarkable retelling of their story.