Top Gun: An American Story

When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy turned to a young lieutenant commander, Dan Pedersen, to figure out a way to reverse their dark fortune. On a shoestring budget and with little support, Pedersen picked eight of the finest pilots to help train a new generation to bend jets like the F-4 Phantom to their will and learn how to dogfight all over again. Prepare to take flight with Topgun, the legendary institution that emerged not only as an icon of America's military dominance immortalized by Hollywood but as a vital institution that would shape the nation's military strategy for generations to come. Pedersen's exhilarating memoir takes readers on a colorful and thrilling ride — from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace — through a historic moment in air warfare. Strap in and experience the heart-pounding adrenaline of aerial combat as Topgun becomes a heartfelt and personal testimony to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring. Get ready to soar with Topgun, the ultimate tribute to the brave men and women who redefine the limits of aerial warfare.

• Format: Paperback.
• Pages: 320.