The Last Black Sheep

Nothing wrong with the book but potential buyers should be aware that only 9 pages of the book concern combat operations with the Black Sheep (VMF-214). I think most readers would assume that would be a significant portion of the book, but it's actually a very, very small part. And I can't say that small part is particularly interesting. Disappointing if you are looking for descriptions of combat in the Corsair and life with the Black Sheep.

Well written and beautiful history of a man who truly helped shape Marine Aviation of today. From his days as a child, through his assignment as one of the original "Blacksheep" and beyond this book tells an inspiring history of a great man. Semper Fidelis.

I thought I knew Russ Stromberg (author) and I thought I knew the Last Black Sheep (Ed Harper). I was wrong. In reading "The Last Black Sheep", I learned that Ed was so much more than a program manager and WWII Veteran. Like many of the Greatest Generation, Ed was loathe to talk about his exploits, the action he saw and the accomplishments he had. Stromberg is nothing short than masterful in bringing the stories of this reluctant hero to life. His tenacious research and personal interviews with Ed result in an extremely readable chronology of events that take the reader from Ed's boyhood in the wheat fields of Alberts and forests of Idaho through flight training after Pearl Harbor and a uniquely productive Marine Corps career. That our author was able to extract the modest but exciting first hand accounts of this Black Sheep make this book a must read for aviation enthusiasts. For those of us who value the innovation of Marines, Ed's contributions after leaving the cockpit represent even more significant contributions to the lethality of the Marine Air Ground Team. The author is thorough in his accounts of this progress without being tedious. The story flows and readers get a sense of the development of Marine Air Command and Control systems and the progression and rationale of striving for forward, flexible basing capabilities for the Corps. Much of the credit for these advancements in combat capability are directly attributable to the efforts of the Last Black Sheep and our author both entertains and captures his story.