Gr.Viper 131 Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Found out that a huge book store in the city can order books through Amazon, which would be rather difficult for me to do personally - shipping here is awful. A while ago I've put together a list of stuff on Nam I might consider buying. Since it turns out quite expensive I thought of asking for your opinions about the order in which I should gradually get the books. Or forget about them The general list with likns to Amazon is roughly this lot Thud RidgeX Got it! 100 Missions NorthX Rupert Red Two When Thunder RolledX Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam, 1965-1972 First In, Last Out: Stories by The Wild Weasels Palace Cobra: A Fighter Pilot in the Vietnam Air WarX Over the Beach: The Air War in Vietnam Rampant Raider: An A-4 Skyhawk Pilot in Vietnam Launch The Intruders: A Naval Attack Squadron In The Vietnam War, 1972 On Yankee Station: The Naval Air War over Vietnam My idea for the first batch was 1. Thund Ridge 2. When Thunder Rolled 3. Palace Cobra 4... maybe.. not decided yet.. definintely one of the first-person accounts. Perhaps Rampant Raider to take a break from big birds So.. any suggestions? Something really cool I missed? Edited October 27, 2009 by Gr.Viper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,879 Posted August 21, 2009 Thud Ridge is good - Col Broughton used to make recordings when he was flying so he could refer to them later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lt. James Cater 62 Posted August 21, 2009 Want a really good book that's not about fast movers? Try "My Secret War" by Richard S. Drury. Best book i've found so far about flying into combat in a Spad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr.Viper 131 Posted August 22, 2009 My Secret War looks very interesting, but I think I won't be able to get it since it's not in Amazon's own stock Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverbolt 104 Posted August 22, 2009 this one http://www.amazon.com/Clashes-Combat-North...2/dp/1557505853 worth any cent , WOV became a way more fun after read it hehe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ONETINSOLDIER 2 Posted August 22, 2009 a book called "chickenhawk", about huey pilots, one of my favorites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firehawkordy 34 Posted August 25, 2009 a book called "chickenhawk", about huey pilots, one of my favorites. Another one with Hueys U.S. NAVY SEAWOLVES, and is a good history of HAL-3 at it's very beginning, along with the relationship they had with the SEALS that still continues today with HSC-84 and soon HSC-85. The period covered is from HAL-3's commissioning to just after Tet. Two operations are covered in depth from both the Seawolves and the SEALs perspectives. It also covers the events of Tet and the realization that the only aircraft operating in Saigon airspace in the first hours are two Seawolf gunships. When I read this it became clear why HAL/HCS-5 got away with things that should have punished. We were formed from HAL-3 and it was in our units genes. I'm sure some of you guys know what I mean, the rest of you , read the book. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Fates 63 Posted August 25, 2009 a book called "chickenhawk", about huey pilots, one of my favorites. I was just going to mention this same one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fubar512 1,350 Posted August 25, 2009 At this point, GrViper, I'm almost halfway through "First in, Last out". Having read that much, I feel condident enough to recommend it. It strikes a nice balance; it's chapters alternating between the technical, logistical, and tactical side of things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr.Viper 131 Posted August 25, 2009 Hm... I guess the second batch is forming up For now I ordered Thud Ridge, When Thunder Rolled, Palace Cobra and 100 Missions North. + a couple of books by Robert Rankin, who is zany and hilarious but severely underpromoted. Funny thing about ordering from Amazon at that store is that they don't include shipping cost but multiply whatever the book costs by 2.4. So a 60$ order turned into some 150$. And it's 100% pre-pay and I have no idea when the stuff will arrive yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fubar512 1,350 Posted August 25, 2009 I'm sure that you'll enjoy Ed Rasimus's books. I've actually corresponded with him...he's real down-to-earth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr.Viper 131 Posted October 26, 2009 So after just 2-month wait I've got the books. By a strange coincidence I dropped in at the store to say "Hi, girls, how are you and where the hell is my pre-paid order?", and was told that they'd call me back. Hardly have I passed the former KGB building next door to the store, when they (well, different department) did call me back and said the order had just arrived and asked when I would be able to pick it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FastCargo 412 Posted October 26, 2009 I would also recommend "Phantom Over Vietnam" by John Trotti. http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Over-Vietnam-Fighter-Pilot/dp/0891415998 An account of flying USMC Phantoms for 2 tours in Vietnam. Most excellent book...less technical, more personal. FC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gr.Viper 131 Posted October 26, 2009 Sounds like awesone read. Pity the book isn't in Amazon own stock, so I cant order it the same way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Crusader 2,078 Posted October 26, 2009 "Clashes" is a must read, its all about USAF, USN and VPAF tactics, weapons deployment/development, Electronic Warfare etc. Very interesting and it has many accounts of air combats all through the text, it doesnt get boring to read. Another Vietnam related book which is not on yourlist is "scream of Eagles" by Wilcox ... its about how the USN realized that they must use better tactics with the big smokey F-4 to beat the small MiG ... its the story of how Top Gun came to life and how the lessons worked in the skies over Vietnam... a very interesting read! I have all the Thud related books of your list, and can say that all are very good.. many interesting stories. Of all, I like "When Thunder Rolled" best, because its written by a (back then)junior officer , which has a very interesting view on Thud flying over the north. "Palace Cobra" is the sequel in which he returns for another tour in 1972, Flying the F-4 this time. Also a very interesting read... The author , Ed Rasimus, has a website : http://www.thunderchief.org/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rambler 1-1 9 Posted October 26, 2009 See if you can find any of the Rolling Thunder series by Mark Berent. It's not 100% true non-fiction, but I find it's a nice balance between fantasy and reality. There are 5 books: Rolling Thunder, Phantom Leader, Steel Tiger, Eagle Station and Storm Flight. The last two are more ground-action based, but the first three have some excellent combat scenes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oswald Bastable 0 Posted October 26, 2009 (edited) I am trying to read through Linebacker: The Untold Story of the Air Raids over North Vietnam by Karl J. Eschmann Interesting there is a pdf online titled "Patterns and Predictability: The Soviet Evaluation of Operation Linebacker II" I have also been enjoying the Mark Berent books, great Historic Fiction. Edited October 27, 2009 by Oswald Bastable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
