The author grew up in a rural, Spartan environment, then, despite humble beginnings, becomes an Air Force command pilot, flight instructor, and flight examiner. He gets involved in numerous special operations, including with SEAL Team Six and other elites. Pilot training, crashes, aviation incidents, investigations, a world record flight, the Iranian hostage rescue attempt, and efforts to free others held against their will are just some missions described. The author uses his flights into a particular theater to describe historic political and military events of more than 40 years spanning six U.S. administrations. Many historic figures in American military lore are included, and so are detailed stories of his personal war heroes. Retired Lieutenant General LeRoy Manor (Task Force Commander for the Son Tay Raid) praises it as, “Providing a virtual history of important facets of military and national issues facing our country, along with documented details of how they were handled. Well written, well documented, and it certainly holds one’s attention and interest.” Retired Colonel Dick Brauer, Joint Special Ops Agency and once Commandant of USAF Special Ops School said, “A work of historical significance, this book truly stands alone among the spate of recent books on U.S. Special Operations. Superbly well researched by one whose varied career encompasses every aspect of today’s military joint special operations at both the tactical (operational), interagency, and strategic levels. Jim has planned, flown, and commanded record-setting AC-130 gunship missions; conducted airborne strike operations; served as a ‘plank holder’ in a groundbreaking command that continues to be at the ‘tip of the spear.’ I couldn’t put it down.”