Tailspin

By: John Armbruster

Narrated by: Brandon Pollock

World War II tail gunner Gene Moran fell four miles through the sky without a parachute and lived. Captured by the Germans, he survived a harrowing eighteen months as a prisoner of war, including a six-hundred-mile death march in 1945 across Central Europe.

When Gene returned home, he kept those memories locked up for nearly seventy years. His nine children knew little of their dad's war story. But when John, a young history teacher, learns of Gene's amazing fall, he's desperate to learn more. Finally, Gene agrees.

So begins a series of "Thursdays with Gene" interviews. Gene, nearing his ninetieth birthday, recounts incredible tales. But John has no idea what wounds he's reopening. Gene's nightmares and grief return. But both men persevere, bonded by their close and growing friendship.

As the interviews go on, John faces an ordeal of his own. His wife is fighting brain cancer. What will happen to his wife and his two young children? John must continue uncovering Gene's story of survival as he himself confronts the greatest trial of his life.

Tailspin is more than a war story. It's a story of two men's separate journeys confronting trauma and loss. It's a story of resilience and hope.

©2022 John Armbruster (P)2022 Tantor

piece of history

a somber tale of triumph, pain, and grit. thankful these accounts weren't lost to time.

Must Read

This book is well written and riveting. Mr. Moran's story is beautifully and respectfully told. It touched my heart. I will be reading this again.

It felt so real, because it's truly based on real life.

I feel like I knew Gene after listening to this story! From his beginnings, to his depths of despair and courage to overcome it all. I actually feel a sense of connection and grief for this very real person. thank you for giving me the experience to truly hear what WW2 was like for this man. 10/10 have already recommended this book to mu friends

A tremendous story. Well written

John Ambruster did a great job integrating his life story and the family of Eugene Moran.

the real story from the tail Gunner and how we survived.

my dad died with his stories in his memory never shared what a shame but being able to hear this story brought me to realize that my father may have had his own.