Customer Reviews

Born in Brooklyn. . . . Raised in the CAV!

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Most enjoyable book I have read in years. Once I began I could not put it aside. John Flanagan's description of his prewar and wartime experiences is captured so realistically in this extraordinary book. John is representative of the thousands of young Americans faced with the difficulties of leaving home, family, friends and a sweetheart to answer thay uncertain trumpet of war in a far off place called Viet Nam. John's story about his experience in the 9th Cavalry is completely factual. I served with John as his commander in those difficult years of 1967 and 1968. He and the other young pilots of B Troop represent the next "greatest generation" this nation has produced. John's book is a must read for all who have an interest in the Viet Nam conflict, human courage and sacrifice. John has humanized this book by injecting what I have come to understand as "gallows humor". I have made this book mandatory reading by my family, particularly, my grand children. They too have acknowledged their understanding of the sacrifices that must be made by them and future generations to insure the freedoms fought for by young soldiers like John Flanagan. Cavalry Always!

Well, it certainly is a long journey from the dreary streets of Brooklyn to the miserable and dangerous fields and skies of Viet Nam at war. Major Flanagan has travelled this route and shares his adventure with the reader. He is a real American hero... as are all his brethren flying warrant officers. Yet he tells his story without bravado or arrogance. He is simply telling the story of his experience in Viet Nam as a young 19 year old plucked from the streets of Brooklyn and injected into the chaos of war . He writes of his training as well as his wartime experiences. Often his enemy was the weather as much as the NVA on the ground. Major Flanagan writes in a simple, readable style without pretension; his memories are direct, straightforward and sprinkled with a dash of Irish wit and humor. If one wants to know the life of an Army helo pilot on the front lines of the Viet Nam war, this is a book to read. Beyond the daily life of the helo pilot, we also learn the tactics of inserting ground troops as well as the bravery of these same troops. There are no politics in this memoir. This is a good story, easily read and a tribute to all the brave soldiers of the Viet Nam period.

A Great read for anyone interested in a soldier's experience.
This is an easy to read book, with both humor and seriousness. It gives a peek into what it's like to live in the period surrounding the Viet Nam war. It tells of his life before the army, during flight school, and during the war. This is NOT a dry history book, it's highly entertaining.