Chickenhawk

Rating:
Summary: Extremely accurate
Review: Read the book when it first came out. As a 'slick driver" in Nam I found it to be right on the mark. Also recommend "Back in the World". Gave my copies of both away and am ordering more to give to family members who are curious about my experiences. Mason's wife, Constance, has written an excellent volume on the "care and feeding" of a "chickenhawk"

Rating:
Summary: The only way to know what it was really like.
Review: Mason's book, Chickenhawk, is one of the greatest resources I have ever found to help me understand a war that was fought before my time, yet still affects not only my life, but the lives of all Americans.

Rating:
Summary: The consummate book on helicopters in combat anywhere!
Review: I found by reading Chickenhawk that Mason was six months in front of me in flight school. I didn't know him, but he talks for all of us combat "Slick" pilots who carried troops on combat assaults and then resupplied them. If this book doesn't make your hear beat fast, nothing will.

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best book on the chopper war in 'Nam
Review: Bob Mason's writing style is both personal and personable. His tale of using his rotor blades to chop his way down to a microscopic LZ is frightening but rings true. The heroism of the chopper pilots is legendary and Mason must have been one of the best. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the war in 'Nam

Rating:
Summary: I was in the same unit in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot
Review: I flew helicpters in Viet Nam in this unit and I can tell you from personal knowledge that the descriptions, places and events are very accurate, just the names have been changed. I didn't know this book had been written until I ran across it when I was flying in Honduras for 6 months a few years ago. I started to read the book and couldn't put it down until I had finished. It made me laugh and made me cry in places. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a real taste of Army helicopter flying in combat. When Mason describes a location. I could close my eyes and see it, that's how real and acurate this book is. I think I had better read his second book, I know it will be as good as the first. Signed, First Air Cav Pilot - U.S. Army retired

Rating:
Summary: The Best Literary Tribute to All Vietnam Huey Pilots
Review: With no disparagement to more current personal accounts of Huey/Cobra helicopter pilot books on the market today, you need go no further than the original Chickenhawk if combat helicopter flying in Vietnam is of serious interest.

Robert Mason, although later after Vietnam service succumbed for a number of years to personal demons by choice, nevertheless portrays a shattering exciting picture of the smell, feel, madness and futility of of his Huey unit in the central highlands of Vietnam unsupported by a corrupt, incompetent US Democratic Party government back in Washington.

Having recently(May97) been in SE Asia on business and visited the "Golf Course"(Mason's old army helipad) near An khe VN, it's clear his accurate and riveting portrayal of the Air Cav are geniune and even more impressive.

I've read this book at least 5 times over the years and it is never dull without a doubt giving much satisfaction and entertainment. The author's true gift to us is to describe his hellish piloting experience and bravery in combat in a very readable way. He is a true inspiration to people of all walks of life.

As a former combat arms US Army officer(1970's Korea DMZ), my premonition is that the likes of Warrant Officer Bob Mason and his Huey compadres would be few and far between in today's politically correct, powder puff, his or her Clinton army.

Sit back and invest in yourself. Read Chickenhawk (more than once).

Rating:
Summary: As close as you would ever want to get to the war
Review: As an engineer, I like to know some of the details, and Robert Mason provides alot of information about the Huey helicopters, his training, how he spent his time, etc. Of course, there is great tragedy in the loss of American life, and he shares some of the details of this, also. Thanks, Mr. Mason

Rating:
Summary: Most compelling book I have read on Vietnam.
Review: This book is first book recommended by my Father for me to read on Vietnam. He was there twice (66 and 71), and rarely talks of his experiences. This book led to our (Mom, Dad, and myself) visit to Vietnam in 1995. Once started, it cannot be put down

Rating:
Summary: Captures the very heart and soul of the Vietnam experience
Review: Robert Mason has that rare ability to immerse his reader in the very heart of his story--in this case, the horror that was the Vietnam 'conflict'. His writing strikes the perfect balance between a detached assessment of the war and a heart-wrenching, mind-bending personal account which powerfully draws the reader into the realities of this horrific war. Incredibly honest and absolutely spellbinding in every way. For anyone wishing to understand more about the realities of the Vietnam War, "Chickenhawk" is a powerful 'must read'. Without qualification, my highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: helicopter flying as it is
Review: Robert Mason does an excellent job bringing the thrill of combat flying to life. You'll be sitting on the edge of your seat, gripping the book as you would the controls of a helicopter as your HUEY plummets toward earth, shearing tree tops and branches in a desperate attempt to gain flying speed and altitude. This is white-knuckle hair-raising heart-pumping action straight from the pen of a bonafide warrior. Don't let the fighter jocks of the world mislead you, nothing beats dirt-eating, air-beating tree-dodging helicopter flying for combat action. Blue skies and contrails nothing, insects on the windscreen and tree branches in the rotors are it