Topgun

An American Story

By: Dan Pedersen

Narrated by: Jim Meskimen

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

On the 50th anniversary of the creation of the "Topgun" Navy Fighter School, its founder shares the remarkable inside story of how he and eight other risk-takers revolutionized the art of aerial combat.

When American fighter jets were being downed at an unprecedented rate during the Vietnam War, the US 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.

What resulted was nothing short of a revolution - one that took young American pilots from the crucible of combat training in the California desert to the blistering skies of Vietnam, in the process raising America's Navy combat kill ratio from two enemy planes downed for every American plane lost to more than 22 to 1. Topgun 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 takes listeners 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. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" - the best of the best - and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimonial to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Dan Pedersen (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Capt. Dan Pederson became one of a handful of aviators who convinced Navy brass that a change in tactics was essential....The lives he saved though Topgun training earn him the title of American Hero."—Washington Times

"It's hard to read Dan Pedersen's Topgun and not think of Tom Cruise rock-'n'-rollin' through the California mountains in the similarly named motion picture more than 30 years ago...a pleasure to read."—Wall Street Journal

"With the hot-seat velocity and cockpit realism of a military combat thriller, the author delivers exacting details and emotional acuity....A noble, thrillingly realized combat aviation memoir from one of America's finest."—Kirkus Reviews

Wonderfully Written

I thoroughly enjoyed this from beginning to end. I was worried that it might not live up to the hype of the previous rave reviews, but it certainly did.

A Must Listen

As a student of history, I loved the context Dan provided. I saw much of the Navy and the Vietnam war in a perspective I was not fully aware of. As a civilian the author dispenses a knowledge of combat and struggles related to deployment and command that are transformative to the uninitiated.

Legends and pioneers abound

Not just a book about flying, it's about the heart of heroes and scrapping to create postive change in the middle of stifling beauraucracy.

Important Historical Story

Awesome historical story of the lessons we learned in Vietnam, recreated during the Gulf War, then forget again and need go relearn.

What a Great Book

As an aerospace fan loved this book. The story at how Top Gun School got started is amazing.

Good History of Top Gun

It was fun to hear a first hand story of Top Gun, I would recommend.

Inspiring and Cautionary Memoir

What a wonderful book on leadership, camaraderie, and resilience. I bought this book out of curiosity borne out of the love for the Top Gun movies, especially the sequel. It was well worth the listen - I highly recommend it.

Like watching a great movie

I'm a reader of nonfiction books, most don’t hold interest. This book, was like watching a great movie, it kept my interest chapter after chapter and was difficult to break away.
So interesting to learn what goes on behind the scenes.
And of course Dan ❤️Beth, truth is greater than fiction.

Excellent for nuggets and old timers

Trucked through this book over a few days of heavy office work, and was incredibly refreshed by the insights on how to handle rigid organizational thinking, leadership, and crafting change from the bottom of an organization.

Dan Pederson delivers a story that stretches from the age of dark blue straight winged first generation jets, to the modern fifth generation, and drills home the idea that though technology changes and evolves, it is the decision-making, agression and experience of the person flying the jet who has the most ability to dictate what happens after the merge - though not intended, that message spoke right thru my mid thirties doldrums.

the delivery of the reader is pretty great, if not slightly marred by thier unfamiliarity with aviation and naval terms: hearing "Eh Eh Eh" instead of triple A throughout the Vietnam segments was the most glaring, but overall a fine job.

highly recommend.

great book

loved it. couldn't stop listening to it. would love to chat with the writer about his life