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A true story from the battlefield that faithfully portrays the horror, the madness, and the trauma of the Vietnam War
More than half a million copies of Chickenhawk have been sold since it was first published in 1983. Now with a new afterword by the author and photographs taken by him during the conflict, this straight-from-the-shoulder account tells the electrifying truth about the helicopter war in Vietnam. This is Robert Mason’s astounding personal story of men at war. A veteran of more than one thousand combat missions, Mason gives staggering descriptions that cut to the heart of the combat experience: the fear and belligerence, the quiet insights and raging madness, the lasting friendships and sudden death—the extreme emotions of a "chickenhawk" in constant danger.
Anonymous
Posted Sun Dec 18 00:00:00 EST 2011
The author presents his view of a dirty war fought by men and women who were responsible soldiers and thought they were appropriately serving their country. The pilots unselfishly flew in extremely hazardous situations day and night trying to do their part in fighting this war. Not all who served experienced the same kind of trauma that troops serving today in the middle east experience. Most were fairly young,highly trained but inexperienced,and many had little moral character but served with pride even when their friends, neighbors, and country abandoned them in protest of the war.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have never had any desire to enter ground combat. I have read a few works about that experience. This is one of the best of them. I like Mason even better than I like Tim O'Brien, whose work very much impresses me. I want now to read more of his writing.I very much admire the later works. I do not usually like reading books about combat. I am glad not to have had to endure that experience and I am old now and not highly likely to endure it now. The writing is of a high order. The narrative is clear, persuasive, and engaging. Someone better than I am needs to review this work. I very highly recommend it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a book that truly puts you in the cockpit of a 'Huey Gunship' helicopter during the early days of Vietnam. The Author takes you on a month by month tour of helicopter battle starting in August, 1965 and concludes with Mason's disillusionment with the war that would ultimately claim 65,000 American lives and Mason's paralyzing bouts with P.S.T.D., alcoholism and unemployment when he returns to civilian life. The story concludes with a part II called 'Chickenshack:Back In The World' where he descends into criminal activity and the life of a drug smuggler. Needless to say, it is interesting to note Mason's gradual change from an aqggressive pro-war 'hawk' 'supporting the war' to at the end of his tour having paralyzing anxiety of dying, P.S.T.D flashbacks 'thus labelling himself a 'chicken' and the title of this book'. Mason concludes with the question:'why don't the S.Vietnamese fight the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese like the VC and N.V.A. fight the S. Vietnamese'? Mason answers this by putting forth the assertion that without the support of our allies (the S.Vietnamese)the U.S. was going to (and ultimately did) lose the war. And if the S. Vietnamese didn't care, why were we there in the first place and continuing to fight an unwinnable war? Mason states that the people in Washington must have known this. The signs were too obvious:plans leaked to the V.C., reluctant combatants, mutinies in the ARVN (the S. Vietnamese Army), political corruption, S. Vietnamese marines at Danang fighting S.Vietnamese marines, and the ubiquitous Vietnamese idea that the North's leader, Ho Chi Minh would eventually win. Regardless, all these ideas are intertwined in a personal story chock full of raging madness of death, frightening extractions of wounded and dying men and combat experience. This is one book I will reread many times.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.littlebears
Posted Fri Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 2012
This was a book that I couldn't put down until I finished. My uncle, Major Ed Behne, served from 1967-1970. Major Behne is the Vietnam War's second-most decorated army pilot, having received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Legion of Merit, a VN Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Palm, two Silver Stars, six Bronze Stars, VN Service Medal (9 campaigns), two Meritorious Unit Citations, and 80 Air Medals.
He will always be my hero and an example of a True American. After I read this book I asked him if it was factual and he agreed it was. He passed away a few years ago and his death left a hole in my heart.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2011
As a crewchief and gunner with the First Cavalry Division 1968 to 1970, Robert Mason offeres the experience of the war and the feelings of the troops about it as it was, accurately and without embellishments
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2000
A book that cannot be put down,however sad it may be. Mr. Mason is a soldiers soldier. His beginings were that of a chivalrous knight fighting the good fight in a troubled time. A time where being an American was not easily defined. An Army aviator is a special breed defined by Mason's character and narrated in minute detail. You can feel the pain he feels in the decisions he makes. This book puts you in the cockpit and at the basecamp. Whether you are in the military or not, if you have an interest in aviation, the military, or what it was like to be a soldier in one of the most troubled times in America, you need to read this book. The only down side is the ending.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I use to eod
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kingair350
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I am 75 year old aviation aficionado. My book interests tend toward fiction writers such as Grisham, Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiassen. But I love flying stuff. I first heard of Chickenhawk some years ago. It had many positive reviews back then. So when I saw it at Amazon nook, I grabbed it.
Mason describes what to him was an ordinary part of his life in an extraordinary way. It's a very personal story about an area of life most of us have no clue about. For me, it added much 'meat' to those evening news shots of slicks and gunships whumping their way back and forth across the landscape of Viet Nam. Who was in those slicks, what they were facing, doing, saying every day is here in Mason's book. It is harrowing and terrifying to say the least. But Mason makes it all sound like being a taxi driver in the middle of Manhattan. I can see why so many military and commercial pilots are so passionate about this book.
For non aviators this is no less an absorbing and exciting story of helicopter warfare. Facing real death or dismemberment every day is only part of the narrative. I was grateful to Mason to include the bonds of love formed between the crews, knowing your buddies were likely to be gone tomorrow.
What spoke greatly of Manson's character was the revelations of his doubts of the necessity of the Viet Nam war and who ensured its existence.
I recommend to anyone, especially if you watched the news back then.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2013
Wonderful read about a true American hero.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.a_basement_reader
Posted Thu Nov 29 00:00:00 EST 2012
Excellent book! . This is a firsthand no BS story about the helicopter war. I like it because Mason takes you with him on his flights.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2012
Totally! My bestie calls Zayn her sex kitten...shes a weirdo. ~Tori
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Hey do u wanna chat on dipper last result?? — Kat
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Sep 05 00:00:00 EDT 2012
DONT LEAVE! *cough* ~SAM ps Destin has no idea i stole my nook back... i dont want u to go... Damon left already... plz dont go. *coughs* plz?
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 2012
Nick result 7!!! Its cool
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Im dating a guy! His name is Joshua!!!! He is cute! :) Skai :) xx
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2012
Great book!
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Posted Sun Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012
I read about the needless death of our soldiers who fought for a country where most of the people of that country would not fight for. Brave American kids and career soldiers doing what was asked of them knowing that their death could be the end result. My father and friends were some of those soldiers and I am so proud of what they stood for and what they did. It is an honor to know any of our soldiers.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Sep 05 00:00:00 EDT 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted Mon Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2011
A shocking account of the Vietnam war through the eyes of an observation helicopter pilot. Those guys were absolutely fearless. A very good book and a worthwhile read.
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Posted Tue Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 2011
This book is honest, eloquent, carefully written and evocative. I have thousands of books. This is - without a doubt - the best book I've ever read, now at least 25 times.
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Overview
A true story from the battlefield that faithfully portrays the horror, the madness, and the trauma of the Vietnam War
More than half a million copies of Chickenhawk have been sold since it was first published in 1983. Now with a new afterword by the author and photographs taken by him during the conflict, this straight-from-the-shoulder account tells the electrifying truth about the helicopter war in Vietnam. This is Robert Mason’s ...