Customer Reviews

None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a former PJ, I'd like to thank the author for writing this book. It tells about the PJ world like it is. He pulls no punches and describes everything extremely accurately, without embellishment. Great mission stories from Afghanistan -- makes me wish I was still in. Some parts were hilarious as he describes the PJ "mentality", such as the two PJs who volunteered to walk back to their base (hundreds of miles away through enemy territory) rather than fly on a broken helicopter. Or the guys who parachuted into a minefield to save an Australian SAS guy. Then there is the story of how they "appropriated" everything they'd need to build almost luxurious type quarters (compared to what everyone else had) at their forward base. If you are interested in PJs, CCT, Combat Search and Rescue, or special operations, this is a great book.

Michael Hirsch's "None Braver: U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen in the War on Terrorism" is an engaging work of military journalism. Hirsch, a Peabody Award winning documentary filmmaker and Vietnam veteran, has chosen an unusual subject for his study of combat in Afghanistan: the U.S. Air Force's Pararescue Jumpers, or PJs.

Hirsch is already familiar with PJs from his previous book, "Pararescue: The Skill and Courage of the Elite 106th Rescue Wing." Most readers will be familiar with PJs from either reading or seeing "A Perfect Storm." The bravery and skill of the Search and Rescue crews of the 106th were prominently featured in both. Unlike the rest of the U.S. Military's Special Forces troopers, PJs find regular, hazardous employment in peacetime operations. Jumping out of a helicopter into treacherous stormy seas to rescue civilians from sinking ships is a not uncommon example of a non-combat Search and Rescue operation. Those volunteering to become PJs must pass a grueling 10-week indoctrination course where the failure rate regularly exceeds 85%. By comparison, the SEAL school's failure rate is 75%. Those who pass indoctrination go on to training in advanced combat medicine, HALO parachute jumping, SCUBA diving, mountaineering, special tactics and everything else a man with the primary mission of rescuing injured, downed pilots might need to be able to do to get the job done.

The book provides an enlightening look at what may very well me the most dangerous combat mission of all: to save the lives of fellow soldiers. Whether it is fighting the grizzled veteran muhajadeen of the Taliban, parachuting into a minefield, or offering to hike off the peak of a 10,000-foot high mountain through enemy territory just to lighten the load on an overburdened helicopter, the seriousness with which these men take their mission is readily apparent. While no planes were shot down in Afghanistan, the PJs did find themselves entering enemy territory to rescue crews from crashes, and also going into combat situations where ordinary combat medics could not. Hirsch's retelling of the PJ missions is thrilling.

"None Braver" also provides some insight into what was going on in the rear. Highly motivated and engaged in a dangerous profession, the PJs spared no effort to make their quarters in Pakistan and Uzbekistan as comfortable as possible. The accompanying tales of improving the facilities and "acquiring" creature comforts strike a light and amusing chord. Weighing heavier is Hirsch's attitude towards heavy military bureaucracy and incompetent leadership. His experience as a Vietnam veteran shows strongly in his contempt for bumbling, self-absorbed, careerist officers. It begins with a Colonel (but still just a petty bureaucrat) who spitefully torments Hirsch and his Air Force "minder" upon arrival in the theatre, merely because she had not been informed of their mission. From there, the matter escalates to his damning criticism of interservice rivalry that risks the lives of the men in the field, and to the incompetent planning and execution of Operation Anaconda. Hirsch shows the bitterness of a man who once wore the uniform and feels very poorly used by his superiors.

Michael Hirsch has written an entertaining and informative book on Combat Search and Rescue. That it is drawn from recent events only makes it more thrilling, and hopefully educational.

I found Michael Hirsh's writing style very entertaining. You, the reader, must realize the rare privilege it is to have before you an account so accurate in factual detail of what embodies a USAF pararescueman. Having the honor of being a PJ from Sep84-Dec92 I have witnessed alot so life doesn't suprise me much anymore. The effect this book had on me was suprising. Many times while reading this book I paused to shake off cold shivers or to loosen my white-knuckle grip for I felt I was right there among these supermen doing the almost impossible...living life as a PJ! One thing I did not like was the lack of respect Michael Hirsh showed toward the special operations people from the other military branches. I have had the privilege and honor to work with many fine spec op folks from the other branches of our military. Even though there is the traditional and expected "ribbing" that goes on between us highly-trained experts I have forged lasting friendships with many of these spec op guys. Michael Hirsh, you wrote a great book about pararescuemen. You even made us PJ's feel uneasy (which is hard to do) by giving us a pat on the back for doing our jobs albeit appreciated. In your writing please do not convey the false idea that PJ's are so much better than all other special operations people. Special operations/forces of the navy, army, marines and air force all have outstanding people expertly trained for a specific purpose. However, I will state that when your day has gone bad putting your money on a PJ is a better bet than on one of them SEALs.

The book was critical of many commanders who separated themselves from the conventional forces with radios, codes and plans. The conventional forces were a bit ignorant of what they were getting into. The whole scenario gets explained and points fingers. The PJs were there to bail out those who found themselves on the short end of the stick. I applaud the critisim of the bone heads who screwed up. The actual troops involved can't speak so candidly(hence the anonymous under 13 review). It would be impossible to praise everyone who had preformed in an outstanding fashion as well as get all of the details 100% correct. This book explains what the PJs and Rescue community were up to in Afghanistan. It is the best book I have seen on the subject yet.

Micheal Hirsh has brings a to light the courage and stoic nature of the PJs (pararescuemen) in the ongoing Operation enduring freedom. In his book he catalogs in detail the loyalty and intrepidness of the PJs as they perfrom rescues on their own Air force Comrades, jumping into a minefield to save a moratlly wounded Aussie SAS Trooper and the epic battle of operation Anaconda where John Chapmann (CCT)and Jason Cunningham gaves there lives in an attempt to rescue or recover Neil Roberts ( Navy Seal). I recommend this work on the basis of its clarity and insight into the PJ world also because it informs the reader of the nature and issues within the Special Operations community.

No one has done a better job of bringing the reader right there as the action unfolds.

Hirsh makes you feel the jolt of the parachute opening, as he tells the story of those elite few who accept responsibility for the rescue of wounded military personnel. You will sweat it out as the heroes make a night-time parachute jump into a minefield. Then he'll take you for the ride of your life aboard choppers flying on guts and instinct, including a precarious landing on a piece of mountain forsaken even by the goats.

It's all true, and writen by a journalist who reports, and a writer who interjects humor, irony, and empathy that carried me through the book. Hirsh's skill in conveying detail and moving the action along was obvious in his earlier book, PARARESCUE, about a miraculous helicopter rescue over a stormy sea. I eagerly awaited his next book and NONE BRAVER is superb. Five stars for action, adventure and insight. You'll recommend it, too.

An excellent book. Even as an English major, I very rarely have found myself so unwilling to put down a book. An unexpected surprise was that Hirsh encompassed the entire rescue team, writing not only of the PJs, but also of the pilots, crew, combat controllers, and commanders. If you have little interest or experience with the military, you may find the technical aspects a bit heavy at times, but I personally had no difficulty; truly, I appreciated the detail and immersion in the subject matter. Thrilling. Enthralling. Delightful.

There has been much made of the "Fog of War" and how it manages to obscure much of the truth of what goes on in battle. Embeds and quick hit historians scratch the surface of modern day wars, but too often fall into overgeneralizations or paint broadbrush strokes that capture the bigger picture but miss the telling detail.

Not so with "None Braver," Mike Hirsh's vital, enthralling and inspiring look at the role a small band of warriors has in the War on terrorism. Hirsh, an award winning TV producer as well as an author, went to the battlefield himself to view first hand the work of Pararescuemen in action.

PJs are definitely the real deal, and "None Braver" tells a number of their harrowing adventures in great detail and with a page-turning pace that shows Hirsh's cinematic roots. (To say several of these tales would make a terrific movie is to state the obvious. Hollywood, where are you?)

The appeal of the book is across the board. War junkies and experts find the kind of attention to detail and pinpoint accuracy they require. Readers of adventure stories will be fully satisfied by this book. And even neutrals or anti-war types will find the heroism of Hirsh's subjects impossible to resist.

PJs motto is "that others may live" and their mission is saving lives, often, tragically, at the cost of their own. Each is hero's hero, and this book gives them their due with an insider's eye and a journalist's skepticism. (While Hirsh is unabashedly a fan of the PJs, some military leadership comes under closer scrutiny and criticism).

I highly recommend it.

This book is excellent, and describes all of the events in explosive detail. My only problem was in it's suggestive conclussions. The government is called to blaim for a lot of decissions that were made on the auther's part without considering all of the information: the author does a little too much complaining in that respect.

This book was awsome. I can't see where a previous post said they got that PJ's can do no wrong from the book. I don't think it was the purpose of the book at all. You have to realize that this book is about the PJ mission and from thier point of view. Michael Hirsh did a great job writing this book and telling the stories of our Heroes. Brothers, keep up the good work.