In less than six months after the Day of Infamy at Pearl Harbour in December 1941, Doolittle lead 16 converted light bombers off the carrier Hornet to attack the main island of Japan. Forced to take off earlier than planned when an enemy fishing / watch boat was sighted, the raiders attacked their targets with such surprise that all 16 escaped - to a long flight at night to China where they had to bail out as their fuel ran dry. This book covers the selling of a really crazy plan, the preparation under great secrecy and the assistance of the Chinese people in rescuing many of the survivors. It is very detailed and offers a first hand account of every element of the mission, and is a very good read. For those who have never heard of this first strike back against Japan, it is well worth buying.