To The Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam [Paperback]

Tom A. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2007

During the Vietnam War, one out of every eighteen helicopter pilots never made it home alive. At age nineteen, Tom Johnson flew in the thick of it, and lived to tell his harrowing tale.

Johnson piloted the UH-1 "Iroquois"-better known as the "Huey"-as part of the famous First Air Cavalry Division. His battalion was one of the most decorated units of the Vietnam War, and helped redefine modern warfare. This riveting memoir gives the pilot's perspective on key battles and rescue missions, including those for Hue and Khe Sanh. From dangerous missions to narrow escapes, Johnson's account vividly captures the adrenaline rush of flying and the horror of war, and takes readers on an unforgettable ride.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'I am touching my first dead person, and unfortunately I know him. . . .' When you strap into a Huey with Tom Johnson, you're in for the real thing. TO THE LIMIT is a first-person journey into the grit, grimness, and chaos of war, told by a helicopter hero in a way that nails the feel, the mood, and the talk of Air Cavalrymen in battle. No one has previously captured the Vietnam helicopter experience with such gripping authenticity." --Robert F. Dorr, author of CHOPPER: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN MILITARY HELICOPTER OPERATIONS FROM WWII TO THE WAR ON TERROR --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

A nineteen-year-old learns to master a helicopter—and his courage—during intensely dangerous and innovative air assault missions

A seat-of-the-pants Vietnam War helicopter-flying adventure in the tradition of Robert Mason's bestselling Chickenhawk

Highlights such key actions of the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1968 as the Song Re Valley, Hue, Khe Sanh, the Tet Offensive, and the A Shau Valley --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (October 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451222180
• ISBN-13: 978-0451222183
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW - A Great Read (and I'm a civilian)., September 11, 2006

By 

S. Harding - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam (Hardcover)

I finished your book about a two weeks ago.

A totally engrossing read. If you had any question about your success in conveying what it must have been like, you nailed it 100%.

I waited a couple of weeks to see let the story sink in before writing as I thought I'd be able to more adequately describe how much I enjoyed the book and to somehow explain just how much impact it had. I find I'm still short of words, so you'll have to accept that as the best compliment I can come up with.

You and your fellow aviators have my absolute respect and admiration. I turned the TV on a few days ago to see "Tour of Duty" showing on the History channel. There was a Huey dropping off a bunch of guys! I have not watched that series before and having gained some insight from your book, it is something I can watch with considerably more knowledge, respect and interest.

The technical description of how those whirlybirds work and behave is reminiscent of Tom Clancy's writing style in his books that usually involve submarines. In this case, knowing the story is in fact non-fiction adds an entirely new perspective.

I'm still struck with the vision of waking up in your tent - a damp, humid, mucky, muddy, steamy cauldron - I could "feel" what you described.

I am left with very clear visions of: how you "sanitized" your machine by dipping it in the river; the lesson (and practice) of keeping the nose high during a crash into trees; the emotional toll being separated from a young wife; losing friends; crashes and combat; landing without power! WOW.....

I'm still fascinated by the concept of landing a helicopter without power! I'd love to see a video of that. Those things really don't look like gliding is something they do particularly well... That whole auto-rotation thing is hard to accept without actually seeing it work.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks, Mr. Johnson, For Writing This Book, August 17, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam (Hardcover)

As the author put it, the Army gave him a choice, he could walk or he could fly around Vietnam. At nineteen he already had five years of flying experience. It isn't hard to guess which option he choose, especially since by now you've certainly read the title of the book.

His tour of duty ran from June 1967 to June 1968. During that time he flew 1600 air hours. A normal work year in the US is 2000 hours. He was basically in the air for a year. And he was there during some of the worst possible times: Hue and Khe Sanh, operations in the A Shau and Song Re valleys. This was the most dangerous job that the Army had, one in eighteen didn't come home alive. The book is dedicated in memory of James Arthur Johansen. He is pictured on page 193 a few hours before he was killed.

Mr. Johnson came home with a chest full of medals. He doesn't mention what kind of a reception he received when he came back, but 1968 was the time when the reception was not good. He deserved the medals, and I hope his reception was good. Thanks, Mr. Johnson, for writing this story.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond The Limit, August 14, 2006

By 

Robbie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam (Hardcover)

To The Limit is a 1st rate, well written book that shows Helicopter flying at its best. One can learn great insight into the skills required to fly a helicopter, especially in combat.
Due to combat situations and other extenuating circumstances, Tom Johnson, his air crews, and the helicopters themselves are pushed "beyond their limits".
With great detail Tom Johnson vividly describes many instances from his flight school days through his tour of duty in Vietnam.
Some stories are hysterical, including the time mortars are falling all around, while Tom Johnson and others are trying to run from the outhouse to seek cover.
Tom's vivid description of combat, death of friends, and others he never knew, gives you a true feel of the intensity of combat. The vivid pictures he describes will cause your heart to race and your palms to sweat.