Customer Reviews

Easy Target

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

 

 

Mr. Smith's depiction of daily life in the Cav, brought back many memories. His relating of the inner workings and politics of the cav troop were very accurate. Very good and easy reading.

he tells the story as if he has nothing to proove he was scared and admits it , and just adds authenticity to his tale, full of reconstructed conversations that had me laughing many a time well done! it would of been nice to read a page or two about any career he had after returning to the world.

THE REASON I CRIED OVER THIS BOOK IS THREE YEARS AGO MY FATHER DIED OF ALCOHOLISM. AND WHEN MY NEIGHBOR WHO FLYS HELICOPTERS FOR TOURIST MUCH THE SAME AS THE HOLS IN OAHU HAWAII WAS TALKING TO ME I TOLD HIM MY FATHER FLEW SCOUTS FOR THE CAV IN 69 I THINK THEY WERE CALLED SNOOPY COMPANY I'M NOT SURE.BUT HE TOLD ME HE HAD THIS BOOK ON SCOUT PILOTS IN VIETNAM AND IT WAS GOOD. I ALWAYS WANTED TO READ ABOUT WHAT MY DAD DID IN VIETNAM. HE TOLD ME SOME GOOD STORIES THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE BUT NOT THE DAY TO DAY LIFE.THIS IS A GREAT BOOK AND IAM EVEN PROUDER OF WHAT TOM SMITH DID AND MY FATHER GARY LOTZ. THESE GUYS WERE TRUE COMBAT PILOTS.THANKS TOM FOR TELLING THIS STORY. MY FATHER WAS SHOT DOWN THREE TIMES AS WELL AND LIVED TO TELL THE STORY AS WELL. HOPE YOU ARE WELL.

This was one of the best Vietnam War stories I have ever read. I cringed im pain with him as he explained his agony in this long war. I recomend it to anyone.

This is a finely crafted, excruciatingly honest, up close and personal account of combat helicoptering in Vietnam. Tom Smith and his colleagues did things with their helicopters that I never imagined possible--and I've flown in civilian and military helicopters piloted by Vietnam vets. In the course of flying low and slow looking for sandal and bicyle tracks on the muddy trails, clearings, and jungles of Vietnam and coming to the rescue of American soldiers under fire, Smith and his crew made for one easy target.

I've known the author, not well, but a long time. And I also know a thing or two about writing, having taught it and earned a living by it. This book won't bore you with jargon, impress you with macho crap, or pretend that the war was something it wasn't. If you want to get a sense of the combat, the combatants, and the times, this is a very good place to start, or continue.

I had the privilege to read this book in manuscript form. One of the main characters is Wolfman, who now teaches high school in California to at risk teenagers. I loved the entire experience and felt I actually knew Adam Smith. If you served in VietNam or did'nt you'll find this a riveting account of the terror, fear and heroics of the men flying helicopters during the War. Four stars!

Tom Smith (Pilot), ATOM ANT, Stingray White 24 (2nd use of that number), June, 1969 - May, 1970. Tom is a retired commercial helicopter pilot. He now lives in Maui with his wife and son. The book "Easy Target", written by Tom, is a first hand account of a Circus Scout Pilot.