This finely illustrated work (although I don't believe that all photos used are of Fallschirmjager) fills a major gap in the English literature concerning German paratroop operations during World War II. In addition to the better known accounts of their exploits in Holland, France, Crete, Monte Casino and rescuing Mussolini, there is extensive coverage here of their lesser known efforts in Greece (at the Corinth Canal), North Africa (including a seldom discussed drop in Algeria) and Russia (only one jump in 1941 by some Brandenburgers, otherwise in combat entirely as ground forces). After the disastrous losses suffered in their successful seizure of Crete, the Fallschirmjager were extensively used as a fire brigade in many different theaters, often suffering very heavy causalities. Incidentally and somewhat surprisingly, the author indicates that an SS parachute unit was not formed until 1943 and saw action in Yugoslavia. Reading this work can compliment others dealing with airborne actions during World War II from somewhat different perspectives, including Beevor, "Crete: the Battle and the Results," Burgett, Currahee, "Harclerode, "Wings of War: Airborne Warfare 1918-1945" and Moses, "Whatever it Takes."