Mission
Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe
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Mission
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Narrated by:
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Peter Berkrot
About this listen
In March 1941 Jimmy Stewart, America's boy next door and recent Academy Award winner, left fame and fortune behind and joined the United States Army Air Corps to fulfill his family mission and serve his country. He rose from private to colonel and participated in 20 often-brutal World War II combat missions over Germany and France. In mere months the war took away his boyish looks as he faced near-death experiences and the loss of men under his command. The war finally won, he returned home with millions of other veterans to face an uncertain future, suffering what we now know as PTSD. Younger stars like Gregory Peck were now getting roles that might have been Stewart's, and he didn't know if he would ever work in Hollywood again. Then came It's a Wonderful Life.
For the next half century, Stewart refused to discuss his combat experiences and took the story of his service to the grave. Mission presents the first in-depth look at Stewart's life as a squadron commander in the skies over Germany, his return to Hollywood, and the changed man who embarked on production of America's most beloved holiday classic.
Author Robert Matzen sifted through thousands of Air Force combat reports and the Stewart personnel files; interviewed surviving aviators who flew with Stewart; visited the James Stewart Papers at Brigham Young University; flew in the cockpits of the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator; and walked the earth of air bases in England used by Stewart in his combat missions of 1943-45. What emerges in Mission is the story of a Jimmy Stewart you never knew until now - a story more fantastic than any he brought to the screen.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2016 Robert Matzen (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Mission
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Finn
- 09-09-22
Kyle and nor which
Just pointing out some of the mispronounced place names. Also thought the narrator was over dramatic. It's a great story of a unique man and doesn't need over dramatic narration. The mispronounced place names were laughable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Claude VW
- 16-12-21
James Stewart was a war hero... and then an actor
I really enjoyed listening to this except for some mispronounciations by the narrator. 'Norwich' should be read as 'Norich', not 'Noor Witch'. There is also a factual error. The war in Europe ended on May 8th not May 7th. Aside from that, the book was very absorbing and memorable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. Edwards
- 03-03-23
Incredibly moving and very well written story.
Apart from pronouncing Norwich as Nor-witch I can’t fault this. James Stewart has always been one of my favourite actors and I knew he’d been in the airforce but I had no idea of what he’d been through. Very well told. It’ll stay with me for a long time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 08-07-22
poor naration.
narrating was very breathy and constantly over dramatic which seemed unnecessary but enjoyable story
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ringwood Tony
- 03-02-23
Incredible Highly Recomended
I have always liked James Stewart as an actor, but this recording reveals the incredible man behind the mask. Anyone who wants to know what integrity, leadership and sheer guts is about, should listen to this. I have been to war, but not experienced a fraction of how I know it can be, horrible, dirty, terrifying and sad, but regrettably required to stand up against evil. Listening to this account, reminds me of the potential in young people across the UK today. We have much to learn from the past good and bad. Today, I remember all those who gave and continue to give their bodies and minds in the ultimate sacrifice. In addition to their family and friends. You want to be a leader or succeed, be humble and read this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Craig
- 11-10-21
Great story of a great Hollywood Actor.
A great deal of research must have gone into this book, simply because the man himself didn't speak of his service. The story weaves from the start of his acting career and then goes through his services to his country, ending back in Hollywood. Great narration keeps you listening. Enjoy 😊
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- GC
- 06-06-23
A Selfless Hero
To engage in Extreme Danger along with his fellow countrymen when he could easily have enjoyed the spoils of Hollywood success denotes what a selfless man James Stewart was. This is an impressive WW2 snapshot of one of Hollywoods Greats. Whether it is for a look behind the Actor or the Military man this book will leave you in awe.
His
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mooncoin
- 10-03-22
Interesting peek into Hollywood and the conflict
Well written and well read.
Captured the world of this well-loved actor who was trying to avoid the limelight and wanted to get on with serving his country.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 24-05-22
Wow
Started this expecting little. Turns out it is probably the best read, best written, fullest account of life in a bomber squadrons in WWII!
I’ve listened to a few!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Middleton
- 22-02-19
Kyle & Nor-witch
Came to this as a fan wanting to know more about the man and the incredibly brave men of the USAAF and by extension the RAF.
My interest in his story was severely damaged by the mispronunciation of Norwich and then Kiel.
I then spent the rest of the production listening out to all the geographical place names to sense check them, which meant occasionally rewinding to listen to the narrative which became a secondary concern.
Now as a UK national, I understand that Americans have problems pronouncing other countries place names.
But, I would have thought with the obvious amount of detailed research that has gone on here, the producers would have also researched basic pronunciation of two well known Cities.
Such a shame.
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4 people found this helpful