Introduction

Ken Follett opens On Wings of Eagles with a somber preface, where he insists that his narrative is neither a fictional dramatization nor a nonfiction novel. Instead, he assures his audience that each event chronicled in the book is grounded in reality. Culled from over "a hundred hours of taped interviews," this work offers a meticulously researched and richly documented narrative of a genuine escape from Iran, brimming with captivating international intrigue. The escape tale itself is "naturally" rife with suspense.

Storytelling Mastery

Yet, despite this commitment to factual accuracy, Follett does not shy away from employing his prowess as a consummate storyteller. With deft skill, he blends reality with narrative flair, creating a unique fusion that the Kansas City Star describes as "the best of his journalistic skills and his flair for crackling fiction." Follett's knack for transforming factual occurrences into an exhilarating tale of adventure is a key reason for the novel's widespread acclaim.

Critical Acclaim

New York Times critic Hal Goodman applauds Follett's foray into this innovative literary style, declaring the novel "superbly paced." He suggests that Follett's admirers might hesitate to see him revert to traditional fiction, so captivating is his storytelling in this new form.

When it burst onto the literary scene in 1983, Follett's gripping novel, On Wings of Eagles, stirred the diplomatic waters, casting a shadow on the U.S. State Department's image. The book paints an unflattering portrait of their conduct during the turbulent days of the 1979 Iranian crisis. Within its pages, readers encounter U.S. Embassy officials in Iran who, when approached by Perot, flatly refuse assistance to his employees, laboring under the false assumption that these men were once implicated in bribing Iranian authorities.

Determined and undeterred, Perot masterminds his own daring, clandestine rescue mission, deftly sidestepping established diplomatic pathways to successfully retrieve his team. The heart of the novel's controversy beats in Follett's depiction of Ross Perot as a bold, decisive hero, contrasting starkly with the image of U.S. diplomats, including the esteemed Henry Kissinger, as hapless and indifferent when it comes to aiding Americans trapped in Iran's grip.

On Wings of Eagles soars alongside other thrilling escape narratives such as The Great Escape (1950) and The Midnight Express (1977). Even the iconic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) stands proudly as a notable figure in this genre. These stories captivate audiences largely because of their intricate weaving of awe and fear around the theme of snatched freedom. There's an irresistible allure in narratives that showcase the triumph of individual resilience over the formidable forces intent on quashing liberty. When these tales are imbued with nail-biting suspense, where a fugitive stakes his very existence in a perilous flight, the enchantment intensifies dramatically.

Historical Context and Public Fascination

Current events can further illuminate the widespread appeal of Follett's gripping escape story. The harrowing saga of the Iranian hostage crisis and the lingering whispers of American soldiers held captive in the dense jungles of Southeast Asia have fueled the fervor for stories like Follett's. On Wings of Eagles aligns closely with the pulse-pounding books and films focused on daring rescue missions in the heart of Vietnam and Cambodia.

In 1986, NBC brought the gripping story of On Wings of Eagles to the small screen, transforming it into an electrifying two-part television miniseries. With the legendary Burt Lancaster embodying the stalwart Colonel Bull Simons and Richard Crenna portraying the resolute Ross Perot, the production stayed true to its literary roots, with a few dramatic embellishments courtesy of Hollywood's flair for the spectacular. Among these cinematic flourishes were a fiery ammunition dump explosion and the heart-stopping drama of a helicopter crashing mid-flight.

The adaptation also saw the character of Dadgar painted with more menacing strokes, casting him as a formidable and relentless adversary. In the realm of television ratings, this thrilling miniseries soared, capturing a solid three-star acclaim from a possible four.