A life is made up of a great number of small incidents and a small number of great ones, but only the most extraordinary, vivid memories make for a truly unforgettable story. In Going Solo, master storyteller Roald Dahl the legendary creator of beloved classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG picks up exactly where his childhood memoir, Boy, left off. Leaving behind his school days in England, an eighteen-year-old Dahl sets sail for East Africa to work for the Shell Oil Company, plunging headfirst into a vibrant, unpredictable world. Carefully selecting only the most thrilling moments of his journey, Dahl treats readers to a magnificent series of daring deeds and wild African safaris, offering highly pertinent advice on how to survive deadly snake-bites and exactly what not to do if you ever find yourself staring down a lion's mouth.

Yet, the exotic thrills of the African landscape are only the beginning of this remarkable real-life adventure. As the globe is swept into the chaos of the Second World War, the narrative soars into the clouds. Dahl joins the RAF to become a fighter pilot, and suddenly, there is no longer any need for him to filter out the dull moments—because every single second spent in the cockpit is totally, breathlessly enthralling. He recounts his high-stakes aerial combat and intense encounters with the enemy with the same gripping suspense and colorful wit that would eventually make him one of the most successful children's authors in history.

Written with absolute candor and his signature, magnetic charm, this book strips away the tediousness of traditional memoirs to deliver an action-packed, exhilarating ride. It is a rare and spectacular glimpse into the real-life heroics of a literary icon, making it incredibly hard to imagine a more colorful, pulse-pounding, and deeply entertaining autobiography.