Customer Reviews

Easy Target: The Long Strange Trip of a Scout Pilot in Vietnam

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
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I GREW UP IN THE VIETNAM ERA AND NEVER THOUGHT IT NECESSARY TO READ A BOOK ABOUT THE VIETNAM CONFLICT BECAUSE I THOUGHT I HAD A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE VIETNAM EXPERIENCE.THROUGH THE EYES OF A SCOUT PILOT I WAS GIVEN A FASCINATING NEW PERSPECTIVE!

Tom Smith tells of his personal participation as a Scout Pilot. To those of us who flew in Vietnam, myself a Marine Corps, CH-46 Crew Chief, it is an absolutely true narrative of what was happening at the time. I did not find the book overbearing or boring and found it to be a good read. Some vietnam tales tend to be full of heavy head trips. Not so with this one. Congratulations. Joe Jacobs (jjacob2@ibm.net)Lima, Peru

As you ride with Tom in his OH-6, skimming trees, darting over the elephant grass and around the termite mounds of western III Corps, you will "feel" all the emotions of war, especially, fear. "Easy Target" is a great story of a very young man who spends a life changing year of tempting fate, learning "tricks of the trade", and experiencing what "luck" really means. In the end he truly realizes that being "cool" is very serious business. Tom Payne RVN 66-67, Bandit32

Tom Smith's Easy Target is the best book of helicopter memoirs that I have read thus far. Finding direction in life by becoming a helicopter scout pilot in Vietnam, his story takes many interesting and often scary turns. I especially appreciated his description of the manoeuvres and skills aquired as his experience grew. This book played a major part in my decision to get my own pilot's license and begin a career in the civilian market.