Luck of the Draw: My Story of the Air War in Europe

Written by Frank Murphy, Chloe Melas and Elizabeth Murphy

Narrated by Elizabeth Murphy and Jonas Moore

This audiobook is read by Jonas Moore, who stars as Captain Frank Murphy in the upcoming streaming series from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, Masters of the Air. It also includes a foreword written and read by Elizabeth Murphy and CNN's Chloe Melas, daughter and granddaughter of Frank Murphy, respectively.

“In the pursuit of authenticity, of accurate history and undeniable courage, no words matter more than, ‘I was there.’ Read Luck of the Draw and the life of Frank Murphy and ponder this: how did those boys do such things?” —Tom Hanks

The epic true story of an American hero who flew during WWII, soon to be featured in the upcoming Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks TV Series, Masters of the Air.

Beginning on August 17, 1942, American heavy bomber crews of the Eighth Air Force took off for combat in the hostile skies over occupied Europe. The final price was staggering. 4,300 B-17s and B-24s failed to return; nearly 21,000 men were taken prisoner or interned in a neutral country, and a further 17,650 made the ultimate sacrifice.

Luck of the Draw is more than a war story. It’s the incredible, inspiring story of Frank Murphy, one of the few survivors from the 100th Bombardment Group, who cheated death for months in a German POW camp after being shot out of his B-17 Flying Fortress.

Now with a new foreword written by his granddaughter Chloe Melas of CNN, and daughter Elizabeth Murphy.

“A gripping, inspirational account of incredible bravery, resilience, and sheer will to survive. A truly extraordinary story!” —General David Petraeus, U.S. Army (Ret.)

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781250881960

Frank Murphy

FRANK MURPHY survived months in a German POW camp after being shot out of his B-17 Flying Fortress. His bravery earned him the Prisoner of War Medal, Purple Heart, and Air Medal. The incredible stories of Murphy and his 8th Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group are featured in the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks TV Series, Masters of the Air.

Reviews for Luck of the Draw

[David Harrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Terrific WWII Military memoir. Great companion to the TV series Masters of the Air. Highly recommended.

[Andrew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic first person account of a life leading through the end of WWII. Frank leads you through his training and war time experiences flying for the 100th bomber group in a B17. If you love history you will love Franks story.