Where the High Winds Sing

Where the High Winds Sing weaves a vivid tapestry of flight from the experiences of a Naval Aviator who lived through the bloody brawl that was the air war over North Vietnam. Its compelling verse soars beyond the limits of prose to draw the reader into a visceral appreciation of the sights sounds and passions of aerial combat. The poetry ranges from the pure celebration of flight to the always demanding sometimes humorous often tragic drama of wartime carrier operations. But it also presents evocative images of transformative interludes at sea and reflections on the effects of combat especially the loss of close friends. Don Purdys accessible poetry is reminiscent of an earlier era when such poets as Wilfred Owen John Gillespie Magee Jr. and Rudyard Kipling elevated war poetry to a unique literary genre. The poetry poignantly expresses the sentiments of a fighter a survivor and a veteran mourning the loss of his brothers-in-arms. The author a naval aviator during the Vietnam War vividly brings to life the experience of aerial combat as well as themes universal to the experience of war. The poems are written and arranged with great creativity and skill and include not only depictions of battle and action but also reflections on courage loss and the larger legacy of military conflict. Purdys writing is beautifully complemented by artwork photos and annotations. Where the High Winds Sing is not merely a book but a masterful work of art.