Lions of the Sky
Lions of the Sky by Paci Chierici (Braveship Books, 2019, 292 pages)
Lions of the Sky by Paco Chierici was action packed, dramatic, tragic, and very descriptive of Navy Carrier flight operations. Readers who enjoyed the film Top Gun will likely enjoy reading this book. The novel was written from Chierici’s knowledge acquired during his years of service in naval aviation.
There are two books included under this title, the first is, “The Gladiators,” and the second is, “The Blacklions.”
Chierici’s book is a story about naval aviators (both men and women) and the intense training and stress those aviators go through to be the best. Of course, there is drama between the characters but that adds to the story. Besides the details of naval aviation, the reader will find deceit, blackmail, murder, death, betrayal, teamwork, and much more.
The book is also topical, including covering today’s disputes in South China Sea. Almost any news feed on the internet today addresses the issues in the South China Sea resulting from decades of territorial disputes. Chierici integrates these real-time issues into the novel. Further, he writes of intense and fast paced aerial combat engagements that will keep the reader on the edge of his seat. And, for readers from the Navy, the book may bring back memories. This reviewer was reminded of time onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) described as organized chaos on the flight deck during carrier flight operations. Cheierici clearly describes and explains what is going on from various viewpoints during daytime and nighttime flight operations.
An enjoyable, action packed, dramatic, tragic book for government employees (military and civilian) and any readers who who want a better understanding of the intense training, dangers, and emotions fighter pilots go through to be the best.
Bari J. Jones is a Naval Officer. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and do not reflect those of the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.
