Reviews (2)

A must for all USAF Security Types
This book is a must for all who study Air Force security.When concerning Air Base Grouond Defense, you cannot get any clearer a picture than the work of Alan Vick and the Rand Corporation.The author includes the raw data from years of Air Base Defense including the most important period of USAF Security Police, the Vietnam War.
Maximum payback with little cost
This book, I believe, is based on the author research for RAND.It is anexcellent book about air bases defense against attacks from ground forces. Based on detailed case studies, the author pointed out the vulnerability ofmodern air bases to ground attacks.Although the author also described theeffective measures used by USAF to defend air bases in Vietnam, it is veryclear that a clever enemy can use a relative small unit to harrass and evencause quite a damage to the air bases.Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Forces    2. Air bases    3. Case studies    4. History: American    5. Infantry drill and tactics    6. Military - Aviation    7. Military - United States    8. Military Organization And Administration    9. Military Science    10. Politics / Current Events    11. Security measures    12. Air forces & warfare    13. History / Military / General    14. History of specific subjects    15. USA   

Reviews (9)

Fascinating View - Detailed and Worth Reading
As a former Marine sniper who was there when the events written in this book took place I found it fascinating to hear a chopper pilots view of the same events I lived through. It details what happened, why in many cases like Helicopter Valley, and what was going on for the guys in the sky. These guys were our lifeline and we loved them and this book details the sacrifices they made on our behalf. It is pretty long but well worth it if you are interested in understanding the war.

Tandem rotors
My father was a H-46 helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and after seeing this book in his bookshelf I had to read it.It is a very clear and uniform account of what helicopter pilots in Vietnam experienced.There are gripping stories of courage and carnage, and several scenes that stand out in my mind as testimony to the bravery, comraderie, and absolute horror that so many men have experienced in times of war.I loved the quotations throughout the book from all periods of history, but which really never grow old.This book helped give me some understanding of a time that has been confusing to me, (and I'm sure many others) and it adds the perspective of the people actually participating in the struggle. Sons of the Greatest Generation
The pilots and crew members who flew under the call sign "Bonnie Sue" personify the unselfish duty and love of country expected of the baby boom generation. This book is testimony that when our genetation was asked to step up we reacted with the zeal and committment quietly taught to us through living examples of the veterans of WWII who were our fahers, coaches and community leaders. When I flew the same area three years after the time period mentioned in the book, I was humbled when flying over the helipcopter crash sites that I now know where those of the "Bonnie Sue" squadron. The book also alludes to the fact that once these warriors returned home, they went on to be fathers, coaches and the quiet role models that were also expected of them. Bonnie-Sue is an accurate tribute to those who faught and died in the belief that they were fighting for an honorable cause. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History / Military / Aviation    4. History / Military / Vietnam War    5. History: World    6. Military - United States    7. Military - Vietnam War    8. Modern - 20th Century    9. Aerial operations, American    10. Helicopter pilots    11. Military - Aviation    12. Personal narratives, American    13. United States    14. United States Marine Corps    15. Vietnam    16. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975   

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, Japanese    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Archaeology / Anthropology    4. Asia - Japan    5. Diaries    6. Kamikaze pilots    7. Military - World War II    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Air forces & warfare    12. Japan    13. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural    14. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (3)

Harder Than It Seems
I used this book to study for the Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) for the Navy OCS program.I took the test twice and I found that the math and verbal, and the mechanical reasoning parts of the test were a lot harder than the book made it seem.The spacial apperception part was pretty much right on, and the naval and aviation terms were on one test easier, and on the other a lot more difficult.I would reccommend a different book and also picking up a pilot's manual to just get an idea about aviation, because thats what the ASTB is largely geared towards.

Not helpful at all
This books was no help at all for the Army AFAST test.Questions are answered incorrectly in the answer key (Key lists C as the correct answer to Problem X, then gives the explanation as to why B was the correct answer), the Complex Movements practice questions are completely different than those on the test, and some of the pictures in the Cyclic Orientation practice questions appear to be sequenced in the incorrect order. Not quite
The book just doesn't do it for the Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Battery. Not enough examples and the Spatial Apperception section was pretty haggard. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air pilots, Military    2. Armed Forces    3. Careers - General    4. Examinations    5. Military - Aviation    6. Officers    7. Study Guides    8. Test Prep    9. Training of    10. United States    11. Study Aids / Armed Forces   

Subjects:  1. Air Forces    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. General    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History - Military / War    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - World War II    10. Military Aircraft - World War II    11. Europe    12. European history: Second World War    13. Second World War, 1939-1945    14. USA    15. United Kingdom, Great Britain    16. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (17)

Omits the Deadest City of All--Warsaw

Thoughtful and Wrong
This is an interesting examination of the morality of Allied strategic bombing in WWII.The author is a well known British philosopher and public intellectual.Contrary to one of the blurbs on the dust jacket, this is hardly the first careful examination of this issue.It has been discussed often, for example, by Michael Walzer in his well known Just and Unjust Wars.Grayling deserves credit, however, for bringing attention to this difficult issue and for doing a good job of framing the moral issues.Grayling is careful to specify that he is not opposed to bombing per se, even if it results in substantial significant civilian casulties.The subject discussed by Grayling is restricted to the deliberate attack of civilian urban populations by mass bombing.This so-called "area bombing" strategy was practiced by the RAF, and to a lesser extent by the USAAF, over Germany.The preferred strategy, though not always the reality of USAAF efforts, was more targeted bombing of key economic and military targets.A particularly devastating form of area bombing was practiced by the USAAF over Japan and the use of nuclear weapons can be said to be the logical conclusion of an area bombing strategy.Most of the book actually discusses the area bombing campaign of the RAF and the USAAF efforts in Europe are discussed largely for comparison.The discussion of USAAF efforts in the Pacific is cursory because Grayling thinks that moral conclusions about area bombing, based on the experience of the RAF, will be universally applicable.
Beware philosophers writing history...
I picked up this book with an open mind.Really...I did. Going in I knew where the author was taking the argument over the morality of Allied bombing. I also knew that I would probably disagree with him. But, what the heck. I'm always willing to learn more and take opposing arguments seriously.Therein, however, lies the rub. After exactly 79 pages I could not take this author seriously.
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Subjects:  1. Aerial Operations    2. Aerial operations, American    3. Aerial operations, British    4. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    5. History    6. History - General History    7. Military    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - World War II    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Moral and ethical aspects    12. World War II    13. World War, 1939-1945   

Reviews (4)

Lucky I Read It !
Well I have read in excess of 20 world war 2 pilots books and I very much enjoyed this one!
Not so great
I have read several books from WWII fighter pilots. I found this one lacking in any description of what combat was like except for a few episodes. Lt. Curtis flew 50 missions but most of them are glossed over and are very short in what actually happened. This book is mostly about living in Italy and what happens in his off time. Interesting enough though that is, there are better books out there. I would recommend, "Gabby" by Francis Gabreski, "Thunderbolt" by Robert S. Johnson, "Fly for Your Life", I think by Robert Stanford Tuck, and Douglas Bader's biography.
Thank goodness for those diaries and letters
Richard Curtis was an 18 year old who enlisted in the Army Air Forcein 1942 because he wanted to be a pilot and not be drafted without a choice in his role in World War II.He was a wild man when he got at the controls of the fighter planes, but he was disciplined enough to write detailed diaries during training and in Italy.He kept his letters from his wartime girlfriend.From these diaries and letters we learn about the escapades of the flyboys, in the air, in the barracks, and with the girls.We see the suffering of the Italians who lived near the US airbase--the children who begged for food and ate from the Army's garbage cans, and the women and girls who turned to prostitution to survive.From Lt. Curtis' viewpoint in the sky, we see the US bombers down below which have been hit by German fire and realize that another 14 GI's have probably been killed. We learn of the rationing of fuel oil and how it affected those living through a New England winter.I was a child during World War II, and this book was a great education for me about what actually went on during that time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Fighter pilots    5. History    6. Military    7. Military - Aviation    8. Military - World War II    9. Personal narratives, American    10. United States    11. World War, 1939-1945    12. History / Military / World War II   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - United States    6. Military History (General)    7. United States - General    8. United States History (Specific Aspects)    9. Air forces & warfare    10. American history    11. History / Military / Aviation    12. USA    13. Warfare & Defence    14. World history   

Reviews (82)

Woes of a wobbly-one.
I recently gave away my copy of this marvelous book to my son. It wasn't too long before I went into withdrawal and bought myself another copy. Bob Mason is a truly honest man, which is not to say that he never lied, cheated, or stole, but that he is one of those rare individuals who can look at himself in the mirror and see himself as he really is, warts and all. That takes an admirable form of courage that most of us don't have. I couldn't do a memoir the way he did. I had to resort to an alter-ego in my own book. I won't claim more warts than Bob, but the ones I have I don't like.
Garbage
What a waste of time, and money. I tossed it the trashcan where it belongs.

The best read ever
This is by far the best book about Vietnam ever written.I really enjoy his sense of humor coupled with his cynicism.Being in the military myself, I found this right at home.
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Subjects:  1. 1942-    2. Aerial operations, American    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Helicopter pilots    7. Inspiration & Personal Growth    8. Mason, Robert,    9. Military    10. Military - Aviation    11. Military - Vietnam War    12. New Age    13. Personal narratives, American    14. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    15. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    16. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Reviews (1)

The Blind Bat Cockpit
This book takes you to the cockpit of a C-130A flying Blind Bat flare missions.I thought Iknew everything there was to know about Blind Bat, but this book proved me wrong.I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.If I hadto make any complaint I wish it was much longer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. History: World    5. Military    6. Military - Aviation    7. Military - Vietnam War    8. Personal narratives, American    9. Regimental histories    10. United States    11. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    12. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    13. Nyc, Frederick F   

Reviews (1)

Easy read. A must for military history buffs
The Eighth Air Force is a milestone to development of air power. Here are the details on how the Mighty Eighth became the unrelenting force against Nazi Germany. Mistakes were made. But the leaders of the eighth learned from them and overcame the obstacles. Here in the War Manual is how it was done. Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aerial operations, American    3. Air Force, 8th    4. Army Air Forces    5. Army Air Forces.    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. Military    9. Military - Aviation    10. Military - General    11. Military - World War II    12. Military art and science    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century (1900-1945)    15. United States.    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Air forces & warfare    18. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL    19. Europe    20. European history: Second World War    21. History / Military / General    22. USA   

Editorial Review

Long before he entered politics, when he was just in his early 20s,South Dakotan George McGovern flew 35 bomber missions over Nazi-occupied Europe,earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery under fire. Stephen Ambrose,the industrious historian, focuses on McGovern and the young crew of his B-24bomber, volunteers all, in this vivid study of the air war in Europe.Read more

Reviews (156)

A SOLID READ - IF NOT THE AUTHOR'S BEST
While I enjoyed this one, it certainly was not the author's best work.It did draw attention to a group of very brave men, the B-24 crew members in the European Theater, which was good as this group and this plane is often overlooked.It did seem to me though that the author, on one side was trying to write a biography of George McGovern, or if he was trying to cover the air war during the last part of WWII.I did enjoy his trade mark technique of telling the stories of different men who participated, but he would always go back to McGovern.Perhaps if he had stuck to one or the other the book would have had more of an impact.Parts of this work did drag and were rather repetative.On the other hand, the author did not try to over dramatize McGovern's part in the war.The work was well crafted and you certainy would not waste your time in reading it.I suppose it is not quite fare to compare this work with other works by this author.After all, no one bats a thousand all the time.Overall, recommend this one with reservations.It is about very brave young men and we do need to know as much about them as possible.

Almost to dramatic to be believed
The only other Ambrose book I've read was "Band of brothers" so I really can't compare it to his other works. But I had to comment after reading the negative reviews. They must have skipped around a lot. This book was so exciting and dramatic it was almost unbelievable. McGovern shows himself to be an exceptional pilot and a true hero. The book is full of unforgetable moments and breath-taking action. After reading it I immediatly started looking up more information on line. I consider it a must read.

Mr. Mc Govern's book.
I have read better books by Stephen Ambrose(or his team of writers...). This one is dull, tiringsome, centered in one person. Ok the guy was supposed to be charismatic in spite of not wining a presidential election long ago forgotten.
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Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. B-24 bomber    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. History: World    6. Military    7. Military - Aviation    8. Military - World War II    9. Military Aircraft - World War II    10. Modern - 20th Century    11. Regimental histories    12. U.S. Senate    13. United States    14. United States - 20th Century    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Air forces & warfare    17. Aircraft: general interest    18. Central government    19. History / Modern / 20th Century    20. History of engineering & technology    21. Second World War, 1939-1945    22. USA    23. Weapons & equipment    24. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (2)

Valuable Material, Lousy Presentation
The World War II exploits of the 332nd Fighter Group--the first all-black unit in the US Army Air Forces--is a fascinating story on several levels.The pilots of the 332nd fought long and hard in the skies over North Africa, Italy, and Central Europe.They racked up an impressive record of enemy aircraft shot down, ground targets destroyed and--on the bomber-escort missions they often flew--friendly planes brought home safely.They also paved the way for the integration of the armed forces, and of American society generally, by showing that blacks could handle the stress of battleand the demands of high-performance airplanes just as well as whites.In a world where many (most?) whites saw blacks as innately inferior, the Tuskegee Airmen proved otherwise. Most enjoyable and most interesting!
In baseball, Jackie Robinson's impact can never be overstated. What he did for the game is immeasurable. In the world of aviation African Americans owe a debt of thanks to a group of men called "The Tuskegee Airmen". Theircontributions to aviation are just as immeasurable.Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. African American air pilots    3. Air Forces    4. Blacks In The Military    5. History    6. History - Military / War    7. History: World    8. Military - Aviation    9. Military - United States    10. Military - World War II    11. Minority Studies - General    12. Participation, African America    13. Participation, African American    14. Social Science    15. World War, 1939-1945    16. Air forces & warfare    17. Black studies    18. Land forces & warfare    19. USA   

Reviews (17)

Bestbook I've read about the luftwaffe
This book is the best I've read about the luftwaffe's history, it gives a diferent approach from the german's side. Explains very clearly and with full details all the episodes in the luftwaffe's evolution from it's re-birth to it's death.
Perfect Book Status, Perfect Delivering but....
But the papercover that usually protects the hardcover of the book has not been received. Is this normal? Is there any possibility to get it??
A Good Account of II World War Leader
This is the handwritten tale of the own experiences achieved by fighter pilot and later Air General Adolf Galland. That is what the book is, nor more, nor less. The account of his life during WWII written only 9 years after its conclusion. Although it might be a little bit boring through some passages it is a good book to have in your WWII Library!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. Fiction    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - World War II    6. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (1)

The awesome result of complete research!
This is book that every famous plane deserves.Every aspect of the plane is covered.That is an understatement!It is all here.Great photos of the plane from Pima Air Museum(another must see).This is definitely a technical book that delves deep into the design,opearation,and logistics of a plane that has remained elusive though known by almost everybody because of its place in history.This book will give all the aviation lovers something to savor for hours on end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Military    3. Military - World War II   

Reviews (1)

A magnificent history of the Grumman F-14 "Tomcat"
When Grumman's Bob Kress designed the F-14 he created a legend. This book describes it from genesis to today, covering every significant development and deployment. The book is remarkable not only because of theauthoritative detail but because Gillcrist is so candid. He's sometimesbiased and doesn't mind admitting it--but he always back up a controversialopinion with facts. This book is highly recommended for anyone interestedin air warfare and naval aviation. The pictures are terrific, though only'blanket' credited when unofficial. But you'll see the great work of'Heater' Heatley--nuff said! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. History: American    3. Military - General    4. Naval Aviation    5. Tomcat (Jet fighter plane)    6. Air forces & warfare    7. Military vehicles    8. Naval forces & warfare   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military - World War II    7. Europe    8. European history: Second World War    9. History / Military / Aviation   

Reviews (2)

Great book.
It is a great book for those who is WWI aviation fun. It gives you description of all victories of Voss, Immelmann, Goring and Red Baron's young brother. It also gives short biographies of their unlucky adversaries and if they managed to survive the war their consequent life achievements. WWI aviafuns, you MUST read it. Great book.
It is a well written book describing all documented vitories of four German Aces. The book gives the dates and details (if available) of fights and biographies of their opponents. Its structure resembles the structure of "Under the guns of the Red Baron". Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - General    5. Military - World War I   

Reviews (1)

Chief Master Sergeant Bill Petrie, USAF (Ret)
As an Illuminator Operator who flew nearly 200 Combat missions against the Ho Chi Minh Trail on AC-119K Gunships, I was always intrigued by the varied history of the flying boxcars. Al Lloyd's book not only portrays the long operational history of the C-119, it also details some of the experiences of the combat crews that flew the C-119 after it transitioned to the historic role of an attack gunship.
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Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. Aviation - History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Aviation    5. Transportation    6. History / Military / Aviation   

Reviews (4)

Son who is in Primary now
Outstanding book that accurately depicts with excellent pictures and graphics.My son is undergoing the training now and we gave him the book for a while to assimmilate the information as well.

A MUST READ for anyone interest in or wanting to become a Naval Aviator!
This book is written by a Naval Aviator in layman's terms and provides an excellent source for information about and/or becoming a Naval Aviator.Each of the Navy "pipeline's" is discussed and illustrated with great photography.
A good synopsis of steps to becoming an active pilot
For someone who is considering trying to join the navy as a pilot, I found this book very informative.It walks the reader from basic training up to joining the fleet at sea.It is filled with great pictures and plenty of details. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air pilots, Military    2. Careers - Other Specific Fields    3. Careers / Job Opportunities    4. History    5. Military    6. Military - Aviation    7. Military - Naval    8. Military - United States    9. Military Science    10. Naval aviation    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Training of    13. United States    14. Vocational guidance    15. History / Military / Aviation    16. Naval forces & warfare    17. USA