10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny Stories by Malcolm Smith, April 27, 2004
This review is from: I Never Liked Those C-130's Anyway (Paperback)
Two years ago my friend John Cahill told me he was writing a book.
"What's it about?" I asked.
"This guy I know, Malcolm Smith, flew in the Coast Guard. He has some great stories about his experiences."
Instantly my mind went in two directions. First, I pictured war documentaries aired at five o'clock in the morning--hours of dull information I don't want to know. Open-minded person that I am, I quickly wrote the book off. Simultaneously, I thought of another friend, Steve Ward. Unlike me, Steve was very interested in airplanes, and any time a plane went overhead, he would identify it as a B-26 or a C-593. Actually, these may not exist, for I have just made them up; to me all the numbers were meaningless. I was also reminded of Steve's passionate idea to make a movie about the WASPs--not the insects, but a group of adventurous young women who flew planes in WWII. I knew that--though I probably had no interest in John Cahill's book--Steve Ward would. I'd buy a copy, give it to Steve, and let him tell me about it.
"Oh, that's great," I said, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I felt. "Let me know when it's done. I'll buy a copy."
Time passes both too quickly and not quickly enough. A year ago, in February, 2003, Steve Ward died. In September, 2003 seven months later, Malcolm Smith, with J. Wilfred Cahill, published I NEVER LIKED THOSE C-130'S ANYWAY: MEMORIES OF TWENTY YEARS IN THE U.S. COAST GUARD.
Perhaps in a vain subconscious wish to bring Steve Ward back, I bought not one, but two copies. They lay on my desk for months. I don't have much time to sit down and read, but I spend a lot of time on the road and listen to a lot of tapes. Each time I ran into John Cahill, I'd apologize for not having got to the book yet, and then complain that if it were out on audio, I'd have listened to it already. John said they were working on the audio version, but didn't care if I read the book, so long as I had bought it.
Finally, I couldn't take any more Cahill encounters, not having read the book. The world is unpredictable, espcially the world of literature, and you just don't always know what lies under the next unlikely looking cover. The surprise for me was a wonderfully readable and highly entertaining collection of anecdotes, masterfully told by Malcolm Smith on to tape, and transcribed by John Cahill. The stories are short, but interesting, and always involve either a prank or a screw-up. I have never encountered another book quite like it. The nearest thing I can think of is a book my mother gave me called PECK'S BAD BOY AND HIS PA. I was sick in bed at the time and I think that book helped me get better, for it celebrated, through the consecrated written word of a published book, tales of mischief and shenanigans.
Having never had any direct experience with any branches of the military or its associated arms, my impression of the whole business has always been one of seriousness, order, discipline and drudgery. Malcolm Smith's stories humanize and humorize these stereotypes. What emerges from his book are the experiences of a man endowed with average gifts and foibles, but an extraordinary sense of humor and penchant for fun. Through his stories, Malcolm Smith reveals a Coast Guard institution big-hearted enough to allow his whole human being--one that did not necessarily fit into any particular mold--to grow within the system to his own natural potential, as an exceptional officer and pilot, much loved by his fellow "Coasties". I have never considered any branch of the services for myself, but Malcolm Smith makes me feel that I might have missed something great in not having been there.
Steve Ward would have loved this book. Hell, I really enjoyed it and I'm not even interested in airplanes or the Coast Guard. At least, I wasn't. Now, at least I know the difference between an H-52 and a C-130.
Thanks, Malcolm, for remembering and telling your stories, and thanks, John, for turning them into a book.
Malcolm Smith's stories may well become widely read and enjoyed. One day we will be able to remember when they were first published and that we were among the first to hear them. Rumor has it that this first collection includes only those stories which the author felt he could tell without getting himself into trouble. If there are more as good as these, here's one reader who looks forward to hearing them.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth The Read!!, July 22, 2010
This review is from: I Never Liked Those C-130's Anyway (Paperback)
I just happened to pick this book up a few weeks ago, wanting something to read that would hold my interest and maybe give me a few light moments. This book did the trick. I have read the other reviews, good and not so good. For me, this was an enjoyable book. I don't care a bit about grammatical errors, or a writers background or personal life. And it certainly has NO PLACE in a book review. Review the BOOK, THATS what it is about. Everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet.
The book was a good read because I happen to know that Mr. Smith is one of the most heroic pilots in Alaskan history. I have read Sebastian Junger, Spike Walker, The Hilstrands, most of the books written about Alaska and I have to say that this book was among those that were very enjoyable. I admire Mr. Smiths accomplishments and heroics. We all make mistakes so lets just enjoy the read for what it is worth and STOP the bitterness and finger pointing. I know this review business is the arena to say what you really feel about any book, but when it hits below the belt then it has gone too far.
Thank you Malcolm Smith for writing this book and I hope you write more.
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