This is an excellent and objective study of Billy Mitchell's life. While the author portrays Mitchell as a visionary, he also displays his warts. There is no denying the fact Mitchell had a huge ego. My feelings about Mitchell changed significantly as I read the book.
The author takes turns covering the events leading up to the Mitchell trial, with intervening chapters serving as 'flashbacks' to Mitchell's early life. The author does this so well the reader doesn't, or at least I didn't, have any problems following the story.
There is even an amusing listing of the expenses the Army incurred to conduct the trial. For example, the Army had to pay each witness a fee of $1.50 per day. And the generals on the court martial board complained about having to spend $12 a day in living expenses, if they were from out-of-town. Ha... today generals spend a lot more, and we, the taxpayers, pick up their tabs.
The author takes turns covering the events leading up to the Mitchell trial, with intervening chapters serving as 'flashbacks' to Mitchell's early life. The author does this so well the reader doesn't, or at least I didn't, have any problems following the story.
There is even an amusing listing of the expenses the Army incurred to conduct the trial. For example, the Army had to pay each witness a fee of $1.50 per day. And the generals on the court martial board complained about having to spend $12 a day in living expenses, if they were from out-of-town. Ha... today generals spend a lot more, and we, the taxpayers, pick up their tabs.
