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Chickenhawk

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Chickenhawk

Written by: Robert Mason
Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
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With more than half a million copies sold, Robert Mason's Chickenhawk is one of the best-selling books ever written about the Vietnam War. Critically acclaimed for its unflinching detail, the book has been hailed by The New York Times as "a hypnotic narrative" and by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as "very simply the best book so far out of Vietnam."

Fascinated with flying from a young age, Mason earned his private pilot's license even before graduating high school. He enlisted in the army in 1964 and endured an extremely challenging "weeding out" process in an effort to fly helicopters. Sent to Vietnam, he survived more than 1,000 air combat missions despite the violence and brutality exploding all around him. This completely honest account of one soldier's traumatic experiences provides a perspective often neglected in print and film - that of the helicopter pilot. Through L. J. Ganser's powerful narration, the shattering story of men who lived and flew in constant peril is vividly retold.

©1983 Robert C. Mason (P)2001 Recorded Books, LLC Armed Force Military Military & War Vietnam War Wars & Conflicts Veteran Air Force War Aviation
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This is excellent, even if you're not aviation inclined it's a fantastic listen and I highly recommend this audiobook. The narrator is great, the story is excellent. The only disappointment with the audiobook is you can't see the pictures included in the print version though they are available on Mr. Mason's website

I loved this one

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This feels to be a true memoir of a pilot’s time in Vietnam being a helicopter pilot. There are moments that are uncomfortable because the author was at the time slightly racist, the outlook equally true to the time as far as other attitudes as well. It’s honest to the point of casting the author in a slightly negative light as to some of his choices. (Apparently a later book that dove into some of his poor choices afterwards wasn’t as popular and is out of print)
I will never listen to this again, but I can’t say it isn’t worth exploring if you want to have an honest slice of someone’s memory of the war.

It’s as true as he remembers it, both for good and bad.

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Incredible book about aviation, courage, and perseverance. I never knew about off course navigation before this book. I'm going to make it into a metaphor and use it in my own life. We can all come back from hell, though not all of us do.

Phenomenal

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A direct, honest book about the Vietnam War that puts you in the pilot's seat. Don't miss the author's notes at the end. I'm really glad to have listened to this.

Absolutely enthralling

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Read this as a teenager 30 years ago. The Audible version, with Mason's added Afterword was a wonderful revisit. His description of harrowing experiences is remarkable and his sharing of the human condition with his comrades is relatable for anyone who has experienced traumatic events/first response to critical events.

Gripping

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