Customer Reviews

Pucker Factor 10: Memoir of A U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm not normally a reader of non-fiction war stories, especially in first person, but "Pucker Factor 10" caught my attention from the beginning all the way to the very end. Joyce brings the reader into the realm of realism, from family history, personal apprehensions, his somewhat inadvertant role as a helicopter pilot during the heat of battle, his impressions of soldiers and his humanity toward the enemy which brings chills to the reader. Meanwhile, just when I least expected, I found myself belly laughing his wit. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys true-to-lie accounts of how it was in the air trenches.

Pucker Factor 10 was a very enjoyable journey as the author turns "of age". It flows extremely well, and has a good balance of humor and sobriety, peppered with perspective. It, of course, will resonate with the Vietnam era helicopter pilots but with those who served in any capacity in the Vietnam War---as well as those who didn't. It is entertaining, in a "Mash" sort of way.

Should you consider reading only one book about the U.S. helicopter pilots in South-Vietnam that bravely fought almost 40 years ago, then, "Pucker Factor 10" is the best choice.
Mr. James Joyce there flew the two most used types: "slicks" and "gunships" thus covering two major aspects of the tactical helicopter warfare successfully used in SEA. This is what this book tells you.

I had to choose a war memoir for a term paper this semester in my english class...and I was very happy that I chose to read Pucker Factor 10. The book is very enlightening, and an interesting read. I found myself always WANTING to read more. James Joyce is a wonderful writer and he reveals emotions and specifics of war that you dont even realize. I highly suggest this book to everyone. I normally dont read memoirs like this but after reading his I want to read more!

This book is okay. Just okay....as long as you realize that it's not going to be anything more than a literary substitute for listening to kooky uncle James drinkin' beer and telling war stories on his front porch swing....which is exactly how the book starts.

I've read Chickenhawk by Robert Mason at least twice. As a student of the Vietnam War, a trained private pilot, and a fan of good writing about the Vietnam War in general, I can confidently say Joyce's book doesn't hold a candle to Mason's. It's really not even a comparison. Mason LOVES to fly and it really showed in his book -- his highly detailed description of flying of actual missions and what it was like learning to fly helicopters in flight school were fantastic. Mason has the respect and grace to intimately describe his comrades and let you get to know about the men he fought with, enough so that you're sad to find out they died or happy to hear they lived.

Joyce's descriptions of those he fought with are wanting...there are a few stories that grab you (the one about Major Burleson is a heartbreaker) but everything else sort of makes you feel like he didn't really pay attention while he was there, and that he was really only doing is so he could get a job flying buses for the airlines when he got back. He refers vaguely to crew chiefs and door gunners and co-pilots, but you don't ever get to know their stories and how they relate to Joyce. And his descriptions of battles and missions and generally most of his stories -- unless they're solely about him -- don't really give you much of a flavor of what was going on. In fact, if I hadn't read so much on Vietnam before (specifically, Chickenhawk and Hal Moore's We Were Soldiers Once...And Young, both of which focus on the First Air Cav in the early days of the war), I might not have known that he was a Cav pilot and flew in the most dangerous part of the country.

I don't mean to take away from Joyce's valiant service, but as his book goes, it's ok. So, if you want to know about flying helicopters, read Mason's book. If you want to know about flying helicopters in Vietnam, read it for a second time.

As a woman reader I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned so much in this book, about flying, Vietnam, rats (UGH) I knew it was hard over there but didn't really realize some of the hardships till I read this book. The author's writing is very easy to understand, you don't need a dictionary beside you, and the humour was great. You got some really good laughs and some sadness also. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Chickenhawk is much more descriptive and true to life narrative of a chopper pilot's training and war experience. Mr Joyce's Pucker Factor reads more like some old war Vet telling tales. As a former chopper pilot from the Nam era, I would strongly recommend Chickenhawk over Pucker Factor to get the feel of what it was like v

I liked this book because it typlified a lot of our service for a year. Some was exciting, some scary, some was just work and hard work it was. Not too glamorous, just serving. Never too relaxed to forget the pucker factor.

James Joyce has written a truly excellent book. Mr. Joyce has successfully included every human emotion possible. His real life experiences are a combination of both desperate hours and uplifting moments, with a side of unmistakable humor. I would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the Vietnam era. Definately a MUST READ.

I loved this read. I felt I was with him on every life threatening sortie. I am so much more informed and grateful for his huge commitment to share this amazing set of facts - thank you! I know I'll read it again. I would have given it an easy 5 star rating if not for one major faux pas; he said that the Vietnam war (the goodies) was the US and other countries namely Australia and Korea; WRONG/ he either forgot or failed to research properly (unintentional I'm sure) and include New Zealand (Kiwis) as another country committed to the Vietnam conflict - insofar as infantry, artillery, special forces (NZSAS), training team and others (chopper pilots). All the kiwis were regular force volunteers - roughly from 1963 - 72/73, I was one of them; 1971. For the Kiwis that fell I had to put the record straight and because its a fact issue and should have been properly research (felt insulted) it cost him a star; but do not let this moaning old soldier distract or suggest that the book is non-factual; it is a wonderful read and apart from the one faux pas, it is a incredibly detailed and factual! I sincerely recommend it and thank the Author and his family for his amazing service and for sharing it with us! It is beautifully written and kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end (hate cliches; but yes, I couldn't put it down!); thank you.