The Cool Woman: A Novel [Paperback]

John Aubrey Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010

In 1971, Bill Mann, a pilot who sought to make aerial combat his guiding star, is already lost whether he knows it or not. Although he’s at the top of his Air Force class and married to a beautiful woman, his life is centered on drinking and partying—perhaps a way to escape a haunting memory. As a ten-year-old, Bill killed the two white men who beat his black mother to death.

In 1972, Mann is in Vietnam, flying his aircraft, The Cool Woman, in combat environs that have been called the most hazardous in air warfare history. He remains confident and considers himself "the envied of the envied" until the moment his beautiful wife says she wants a divorce, and the downward spiral of Mann’s life and his survival odds begins.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Aubrey Anderson was growing up in Mississippi cotton country when he saw John Wayne starring in Flying Tigers and knew he wanted to be a pilot. After graduating from Mississippi State University, he joined the Air Force, served three tours in Southeast Asia, and went on to fly planes for Delta Air Lines for twenty-eight years. Now retired from the cockpit, he writes novels, including the acclaimed Black or White Chronicles trilogy, and lives with his wife in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Fidelis (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805464808
• ISBN-13: 978-0805464801
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,120,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Take on The Vietnam War!, November 24, 2010

By 

"ReviewsByMolly" "Molly Edwards, auth... (Willow Spring,NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cool Woman: A Novel (Paperback)

Typically, I don't read military genre books, unless of course, the review book I am reading at the time has a secondary military theme woven in. I was raised a military brat so I had my share of all the military terminology and happenings, and new what would happen in a strictly military novel...or so I thought. I was a little leery when I started The Cool Woman.....I heard so many mixed reviews about this book. Upon starting this novel, I realized the saying 'to each his own' is true, for I really enjoyed this novel. Now, that's not saying it's my favorite. Far from my favorite,in fact. It's just one that captured me and took me for a ride through Nam and the life of a military pilot.

Bill Mann is a character an author can be proud of. He's strong, he's handsome and he's fighting for his country in Vietnam. But, there is something missing in his life, and it's not the wife who's divorcing him. He's lacking a faith in his Father .But, through, am unfortunate circumstance, can he overcome his lack of faith and believe in the Heavenly Father, and gain everything back???

I really enjoyed Pip Mann. She fit the role of the military wife perfectly. She really tugged at my heart and reminded me of stateside life of a military family, always wondering what was happening to her husband, and, she too, had a lack of faith in God.

Bill and Pip Mann aren't the only reasons I liked this book. John Aubrey Anderson, being a retired military man himself and having first hand knowledge, used the touchy subject of whites befriending blacks and blacks in the military and war. Through his words, we are able to see the struggle of race issues in the military, and how they are overcome. But, through it all, he showed God working in the hearts of his characters. He showed, through God, that to a full life, no matter the skin color, no matter the war, it must be through a faith in God.

A story full of military talk (there's a glossary in the back for the terminology used!), action, and hard lessons(the war we really battle the most is within ourselves if we don't have faith in our hearts), The Cool Woman is a 4 star book that shouldn't be over looked. Definitely take the time to read this true-to-life fiction novel and be prepared to serve in Vietnam along side some pretty awesome characters and learn some lessons along the way.

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, November 5, 2010

By 

Holly (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cool Woman: A Novel (Paperback)

Military novels aren't always my genre of choice, but I often find them fascinating and educational. This one sounded terrific. A hot-shot pilot. A beautiful woman. Lots of action.

As a retired military pilot, John Aubrey Anderson has a vivid way of describing some of Bill's experiences. I thought the perspective of a lone black pilot in 1970's Vietnam was accurate.

I did find a lot of the story hard to follow at times. There is detailed military language and even though there is a glossary at the back of the book, I was often lost. However, I could still get the gist of what was happening even if I didn't completely understand it, but it was frustrating. At other times, the narration was a bit disjointed as far as back history goes and I'd keep thinking I'd missed something.

I've seen other reviewers mention the "come-to-Jesus" theme and it is very strong here. Bill Mann is about as far away from Jesus as a man can get and there is a lot of preaching from other characters towards converting him.

Still, an interesting novel and those who enjoy military history will probably enjoy this one too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Military thriller, July 26, 2010

By 

Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cool Woman: A Novel (Paperback)

War is brutal, devastating and soul shattering yet it can also be a baptism of fire that refines an ordinary man into a courageous warrior willing to sacrifice his life for another. From personal experience, John Aubrey Anderson exposes the harsh realities of the Vietnam war through the heroic journey of Lieutenant Bill Mann, a young fighter pilot with all the swagger and confidence that comes with a man who believes he was born to fly.

John's writing is riveting and authentic, with brilliant pacing and intensive characterisation. The combat scenes are so visceral you will feel every bullet, explosion and heartbeat and will be left breathless. The deep, emotional scars of violent conflict and methods of escapism are honestly explored both amongst the pilots and their families back home. Heart wrenching, evocative and powerful, covering the barbaric to the sacrificial and the catastrophic to the miraculous, The Cool Woman is a unique and challenging story, with an unashamedly direct message of faith. With this epic military adventure, unlike anything else you will find in Christian Fiction, John Aubrey Anderson continues to impress me with his compelling and ingenious storytelling. If you are looking for an authentic, gritty and evocative read, The Cool Woman is a sure fire hit!