Wild Blue U

"Timeless and absorbing. . . . An astonishing and authentic portrayal of the military academy experience." -Jerry Pournelle, New York Times–bestselling, Nebula and Hugo Award–winning author of Lucifer's Hammer The Officer continues the historical saga chronicling the United States Air Force Academy. Unveiling the arduous training of America's leaders, The Officer showcases empathetic, larger-than-life characters set against a fascinating tapestry of historical fact-vivid, history-changing events that affect the course of the nation, ranging from cheating scandals at the USAF Academy to the Cuban missile crisis to the jungles of Vietnam. Praise for the Wild Blue U saga: "Doug Beason has captured the essence of the lives of the early cadets and graduates of the Air Force Academy." -General Ron Fogleman, USAFA Class of 1963, 15th Chief of Staff, USAF: first Academy graduate to become USAF Chief of Staff. "Doug Beason has distilled the first years of the Air Force Academy into a compelling and fascinating novel. . . . The closest and most intimate account that exists in print, with all the turbulence and exuberance captured through the lens of fiction." -Lt. Gen Brad Hosmer, USAF (ret), #1 Graduate of the USAFA Class of 1959, Rhoades Scholar and USAFA Superintendent

"Timeless and absorbing. . . . An astonishing and authentic portrayal of the military academy experience." -Jerry Pournelle, New York Times–bestselling, Nebula and Hugo Award–winning author of Lucifer's Hammer A military epic that chronicles the birth of the United States Air Force. The arduous training of America's future leaders as they prepare to serve from the jungles of Vietnam to the deserts of the Middle East. The first in the Wild Blue U historical saga, The Cadet is realistic fiction based on factual events. Populated with empathetic, larger-than-life characters, this novel will appeal to prospective candidates, military members, and the reading public alike. "I loved it. It's brilliant. Once started, I was never really able to put it down." –Jack McDevitt, Nebula Award–winning author of the Alex Benedict and The Academy series "Doug Beason has distilled the first years of the Air Force Academy into a compelling and fascinating novel. . . .The closest and most intimate account that exists in print, with all the turbulence and exuberance captured through the lens of fiction." -Lt. Gen Brad Hosmer, USAF (ret), #1 Graduate of the USAFA Class of 1959, Rhoades Scholar and USAFA Superintendent