Customer Reviews

Chickenhawk Back in the World: Life After Vietnam

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While not as action-packed as Mason's first book, Chickenhawk, this sequel is still a fine read. The Kirkus Review calls the book "flat-footed." Before I read this book, I probably would not have been surprised to hear that the sequel to what is probably my favorite book of all time does not live up to the first installment. Chickenhawk is mostly a war story, rich in detail and technical information about the helicopters Mason flew. I am fascinated with helicopters and that is probably why I like Chickenhawk so much. I approached Back In The World with skepticism. I doubted that it had any chance to be as interesting as Mason's first book. But as a fan of Chickenhawk, I was happy to discover that Back To The World does not really try to stand by itself. In many ways, it is just the story of how Chickenhawk was written. It is the story behind the story.

The Kirkus Review makes it sound as though this book is dull, and belittles the significance of Mason's incarceration and his description of the way Chickenhawk was recieved by the public. Personally, I thought Mason's imprisonment was conveyed in a style reminiscent of Henri Charrier's Papillon, another of my favorites.

The point is, it is impossible to fully understand or appreciate Chickenhawk as a description of the Vietnam Experience without reading this book. If you liked Chickenhawk, this is a must-read.

I first read Chickenhawk in 1984. I have read it several times since. Those readings have allowed me to seem to know Mr Mason on a unique, personal level. That feeling, and his writing style, made the book interesting. While not quite the impact as Chickenhawk, there are stories in this book, especially near the end, that, if you've read Chickenhaw, you have to read Life After Vietnam.

I have read all of Mason's books-- Actually the first book I read was "Solo", the sequel to the (and I hate this word:) Techno-Thriller "Weapon"-- which made me want to go out and get all his books, and when I got to Chickenhawk I just cried. So, last week I was book shopping and I always look for new books by my favourite authors I was shocked silly to find a sequel to Chickenhawk! This book is in no wise a bland recap of Mason's years between being a Helicopter Pilot to being an author and a lecturer. `My body sent me a painful message, saying that it had developed an extreme dislike of alcohol. What a shock. Alcohol was as much a part of my biology as my blood. The message was a headache so horrible that I couldn't see straight....I switched to smoking pot....I began to feel better immediately.'" This is without resonance? That is one of the most powerful and Honest statements Mason makes in this book. Mason honestly tells the reader what it was like trying to readjust to the world, after the hell of Vietnam. And we see that is was not easy... but he suceeded. I commend him for that and I commend him for writing this sequel, which must have taken more guts to write than the original Chickenhawk. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Bob!

unless you stumbled onto this book somehow, you probably picked it up because you had been through the "chickenhawk" experience with him in his first book by that name. this book is the perfect sequel to his vietnam story. mason's deeds in the war were heroic, and yet,he ends up struggling for his life even more as soon as he is "home". he is brutally honest about his own misdeeds--to his wife and son, his friends and associates, and to himself.you feel that you are trying to claw your way upward with him, as his life spirals downward.his salvation lies in his ability to tell his story, and you become part of it as you read this book

An exciting story of a Vietnam pilots emotional recovery. Robert Mason doesn't hold anything back as he tells it the way it is. He takes you on a journey through "Nam": women problems, job problems, his never-ending drinking, the occasional pot smoking and smuggling, and, of course, all of his traveling. Mason also tells of his struggles trying to raise a family, while staying sane at the same time. This is a great book, however it starts out slow in the first few chapters. But, after a while you will find yourself glued to the pages!

'Chickenhawk back in the world',takes you on a journey over several decades of one mans life,Bob Mason, the author.To fully understand the subtle depth of the book,you must first read
'Chickenhawk'which leaves you wanting to know more,Mason dangles
the future ahead of him,Back in the world, shows you what it was like.Mason draws you into his very being,and you are able understand his reasons for good and bad decisions,which we all make,but he lays his for us to see.
An excellent book makes you think,you'll think after reading it.

Living with a Vietnam Vet, this book (plus Chickenhawk and his wife's book on recovering) has been hugely helpful. I "thought" I'd known how it was there and when they returned but now have a much more in-depth comprehension. Much of it has helped me to get "my" vet to open up some more and get his anger unburied.

This book was recommended to me by a veteran that flew with the First Air Cavalry. He commented, "This book described my life in Vietnam".

The book is vivid in it's descriptions and extremely well written. I have read the book twice and both times have been moved by the ending. If you enjoy reading about flying, the Vietnam conflict, and people, this book is for you.

Walking through the bookstore and suddenly finding a sequel to Chickenhawk, I was estatic and couldn't wait to get home and start reading it. It is a great continuation of what was one of the best books on Vietnam I have read to date. It shows what life was like for one vietnam vet after the war. From failed businesses to drug smuggeling and a stint in federal prison, it was as much of a page turner as the first book was.

Thankyou Mr. Mason for helping me understand the Vietnam war and it's impact on those who fought. I was born about the time that you were touching down at your first LZ, and only grew to know the war from television and from my uncle, who was a helecopter pilot as well in vietnam. This book is a must-read sequel that will also shed light on what soldiers returning from the Gulf area must be going through. Congratulations on such a contribution, and Jerry Fowler is right, God is working through you without a doubt. You're an inspiration, I am just sorry that you and your family had to suffer so much.