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Adam Lazarus

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The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams Hardcover – August 22, 2023

by Adam Lazarus (Author)

4.5 752 ratings

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CASEY Award Finalist for Best Baseball Book of the Year

The untold story of the unique fifty-year friendship between two American icons: John Glenn, the unassailable pioneer of space exploration and Ted Williams, indisputably the greatest hitter in baseball history.

It was 1953, the Korean War in full throttle, when two men—already experts in their fields—crossed the fabled 38th Parallel into Communist airspace aboard matching Panther jets. John Glenn was an ambitious operations officer with fifty-nine World War II combat missions under his belt. His wingman was Ted Williams, the two-time American League Triple Crown winner who, at the pinnacle of his career, had been inexplicably recalled to active service in the United States Marine Corps. Together, the affable flier and the notoriously tempestuous left fielder soared into North Korea, creating a death-defying bond. Although, over the next half century, their contrasting lives were challenged by exhilarating highs and devastating lows, that bond would endure.

Through unpublished letters, unit diaries, declassified military records, manuscripts, and new and illuminating interviews, The Wingmen reveals an epic and intimate portrait of two heroes—larger-than-life and yet ineffably human, ordinary men who accomplished the extraordinary. At its heart, this was a conflicted friendship that found commonality in mutual respect—throughout the perils of war, sports dominance, scientific innovation, cutthroat national politics, the burden of celebrity, and the meaning of bravery. Now, author Adam Lazarus sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter in these legends’ lives—as singular individuals, inspiring patriots, and eventually, however improbable, profoundly close friends.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Citadel
Publication date

August 22, 2023
Dimensions

6.2 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches
ISBN-10

0806542500
ISBN-13

978-0806542508
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In many ways, John Glenn and Ted Williams were dissimilar. But they shared the essential traits of bravery, loyalty, devotion to excellence, and despite political differences, authentic patriotism. Carefully researched and skillfully rendered, this is the compelling story of the enduring bond between two genuine American heroes."—Bob Costas, award-winning sportscaster

"John Glenn was a hero of mine, and I got a small glimpse into his friendship with Ted Williams when he came to see John launch into space in 1998. The detail in this book gave me a whole new perspective on their bond, forged through combat missions in Korea, that lasted the rest of their lives. Adam Lazarus captures not just a great American friendship, but also a great American ideal, that for all that may make two people like John Glenn and Ted Williams different, there are special bonds that unite us through service and patriotism."—Mark Kelly, U.S. Senator, astronaut, U.S. Navy combat pilot

"Adam Lazarus has given us a prize: This is an account of two American heroes who must not be forgotten: John Glenn and Ted Williams. They shared combat duty during the Korean War in exceptionally dangerous duty and then returned home to write their place as space legends and baseball legends. I cannot imagine two more gifted and heroic Americans and I will always treasure my personal relationship with both. Generations to come must honor them forever."—Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation

"Of all that has been written about 'The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived' Adam Lazarus' portrayal of Captain Ted Williams, USMC, and a friendship forged in war with John Glenn is a remarkable story told in great detail that makes The Wingmen an automatic member in the starting lineup of any and all tales of Number 9's incredible life."—Mike Barnicle, MSNBC's Morning Joe

"I thought I knew the story of the Splendid Splinter, Ted Williams, on the baseball diamond and battlefields. Just like I thought I knew all there was about Old Magnet Tail, John Glenn. Wrong on both counts. But thankfully Adam Lazarus saved my tail with his splendid narrative on these two American icons and their extraordinary friendship."—Larry Tye, author of Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend and Bobby Kennedy: The Making of a Liberal Lion

"In the air with Captain Teddy Ballgame, tight on Major John Glenn's wing, dropping bombs and dodging flak, is about as thrilling as reading gets for this baseball fan. A terrific, surprising book about two American heroes who trusted each other with their lives and became the unlikeliest of friends."—Robert Lipsyte, author of An Accidental Sportswriter

About the Author

Adam Lazarus is an author specializing in nonfiction books featuring iconic and compelling figures in American history, including Chasing Greatness, Super Bowl Monday, Best of Rivals, and Hail to the Redskins: Gibbs, the Diesel, the Hogs, and the Glory Days of D.C.’s Football Dynasty. His writing has appeared in USA Today, ESPN the Magazine, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, among other publications. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and twin boys, and can be found online at AdamLazarusBooks.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Citadel (August 22, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0806542500
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0806542508
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1.1 x 9.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5 in Baseball Biographies (Books)
- #11 in Baseball (Books)
- #34 in Rich & Famous Biographies

Customer Reviews:
4.5 752 ratings

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Adam Lazarus

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Adam Lazarus is an author specializing in non-fiction books that feature great figures and characters.

Adam's fifth book, about the forged-in-war friendship between astronaut/senator John Glenn and baseball legend Ted Williams will be released in August 2023.

Adam's fourth book, about Joe Gibbs and the dynastic Washington Redskins of the 1980s and 1990s, came out in September 2015. Hail to the Redskins features more than 90 original interviews and over two dozen photographs. His third book, Best of Rivals, is about the famous quarterback controversy between Joe Montana and Steve Young. Super Bowl Monday, his second book, centers on Super Bowl XXV, one of the greatest games in NFL history, and its intersection with Operation Desert Storm. Chasing Greatness—his first book, about the unforgettable 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont—was mentioned in Sports Illustrated.

His work has appeared in ESPN the Magazine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bleacher Report, Golf Magazine, and USA Today. Adam received a bachelor's degree in English from Kenyon College in 2004 and a master's degree in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University in 2006, specializing in journalism.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

752 global ratings

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Kindle Customer

A really well researched and enjoyable boo

Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024

Verified Purchase

A friend of mine mentioned he was reading this book and when I got home, I bought it. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. It is a wonderfully complete description of the friendship between two men who were excellent in their given fields and yet were able to cross that line to see the commonality between them. I rarely give five stars in a review but this book deserves it.

2 people found this helpful

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abby

Jargony

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024

Verified Purchase

A good read. The military jargon (names of planes, units, etc) was confusing. The coverage of their later years was more interesting than I had expected. There was no coverage of the estates they left after death.

3 people found this helpful

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Grammy

NHGrammy

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024

Verified Purchase

I ordered this for my brother-in-law who’s a baseball fanatic, especially anything involving the Red Sox. He was unaware of this relationship, and was curious and thrilled to find out about it. In fact, it’s making the rounds of his amateur baseball team friends. It’s easy reading, entertaining, and is an interesting take on an unexpected relationship.

5 people found this helpful

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Frozenbuc

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2024

Verified Purchase

This is a very enjoyable and informative book about two heroes that everyone should read. Amazing men and good life long friends.

One person found this helpful

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Michelle isom

Gift for hubby

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024

He liked this book.

Very entertaining read

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2024

Verified Purchase

Totally enjoyed this book. The word are well crafted and brings the reader in. Simple, easy ,enjoyable. Highly recommend it.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

William D. Fulton

Good read overall

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024

Verified Purchase

I don't believe I'd recommend a known plagiarist like Mike Barnicle as one of the testimonials for any book!! I'm about half through the book and I like it a lot so far. I'll update when i finish…..ok, finished and there are some minor errors such as terminology of Ted being a very good “stick and throttle” pilot ….the usual term is “stick and rudder” etc.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

AAP

Excellent Read

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book about a friendship many people didn't know about. The friendship between John Glenn and Ted Williams began in the Korean war. I'm not big baseball fan so I didn't know much about Ted Williams. I was 9 years old when John Glenn went into space, his was one of my heroes. But this book illuminates these men's personalities and how combat veterans forge life-long friendships.

This book also illustrates how two men of different political ideologies can be tolerant of each other and still be friends. This is a lesson we all need to learn or relearn.

4 people found this helpful

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