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8th out of 135 books
—
214 voters
Chickenhawk
by
Robert Mason (Goodreads Author)
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 mor...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published
March 29th 2005
by Penguin Books
(first published 1983)
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Add this one to my long list of books about the American War in Vietnam. I am the right age to have been drafted for that war, but was not due to a variety of deferments and a high lottery number. The short story is that I was considering fleeing to Canada if I was drafted but never had to make that momentous decision that would have significantly changed my life. I never came to that fork in the road so will always wonder what I would have done if I was actually faced with that choice.
The book...more
The book...more
Once every five years or so, a book comes along that really sticks in your mind after you've finished it. "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason is definitely one of them. I bought this book on eBay in the year 2000, and I've re-read it many times. It never fails to deliver a fresh reading experience.
Mason used to dream of flying as a kid, and he experimented with jumping off roofs and other high places. It was not until he enrolled in the US Army's Helicopter School in 1964 that he managed any serious t...more
Mason used to dream of flying as a kid, and he experimented with jumping off roofs and other high places. It was not until he enrolled in the US Army's Helicopter School in 1964 that he managed any serious t...more
Excellent.
I started reading Vietnam books at age 25, to explore the question of "How the FRAK did we get in this mess?" There are many books on many different levels, and this is among the best, if not THE BEST book on the subject. Highly personal, compelling, addicting. This is one of those books I stayed up till 2 am 3 nights in a row to finish... good thing it is the off-season!
Bob Mason was one of the original helicopter Cav pilots, taking the boat to Vietnam in 1965. Flying helicopters is f...more
I started reading Vietnam books at age 25, to explore the question of "How the FRAK did we get in this mess?" There are many books on many different levels, and this is among the best, if not THE BEST book on the subject. Highly personal, compelling, addicting. This is one of those books I stayed up till 2 am 3 nights in a row to finish... good thing it is the off-season!
Bob Mason was one of the original helicopter Cav pilots, taking the boat to Vietnam in 1965. Flying helicopters is f...more
Chickenhawk is widely touted as one of the best accounts of the Vietnam War from the perspective of a soldier serving there. And for good reason. Mason’s narrative is well written, engaging, and often gripping, having the feel of an authentic account given its matter-of-fact, conversational, and unpretentious style that details both highs and lows, often portraying Mason in a poor or ambivalent light. He captures in detail the everyday training, missions, conversations, action, frivolity and mun...more
Apr 16, 2010
Rohan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
personal viewpoint on Vietnam war
After an inital slow start I became thoroughly engrossed in this book.
It is the story of Army helicopter pilot Robert Mason and his life and experiences beginning in 1965 from trainee following through in detail his time of service in the Vietnam War and period afterwards.
What I loved about this book is the way the author writes in an absolutely raw and complelling honesty about his service and life. From a solider's point of view straight up including lots of little details from the descriptio...more
It is the story of Army helicopter pilot Robert Mason and his life and experiences beginning in 1965 from trainee following through in detail his time of service in the Vietnam War and period afterwards.
What I loved about this book is the way the author writes in an absolutely raw and complelling honesty about his service and life. From a solider's point of view straight up including lots of little details from the descriptio...more
I first read this book years ago, and it is without a doubt one of the best war memoirs on my shelf and one to which I regularly return (as I just did for the third time, to read during a lengthy trip abroad).
The book recounts the training and duty tour of Robert Mason, a helicopter pilot who served in the air cav during the height of the Vietnam conflict. Many consider it the best book written by a Vietnam vet and I would be inclined to agree (the only close contender would be the sniper memoi...more
The book recounts the training and duty tour of Robert Mason, a helicopter pilot who served in the air cav during the height of the Vietnam conflict. Many consider it the best book written by a Vietnam vet and I would be inclined to agree (the only close contender would be the sniper memoi...more
A personal account of the Vietnam war as seen through the eyes of a helicopter pilot deployed in the air cavalry. The early chapters are gripping as they describe action at the LZs – though some parts of the book were beyond me as he described the technical details of handling a Huey. However, the true horror of he had really seen, and had to numb himself from, only comes in the later chapters. Its sad that an entire generation did not get the psychological/ psychiatric support they needed as PT...more
Well, this was a bit of a journey. I have had this book for quite a few years and even bought a second copy (having forgotten I had the first). It is about war (obviously) and is my kind of book. The reviews were pretty good. The signs were that I should read it. I was not so impressed from the start and that continued until today really. As a viewpoint on the hell that was Vietnam, it is limited - but having rushed to finish it today (with youngest daughter sleeping in the back of the car obliv...more
Takeoff, get shot at, land, takeoff again, repeat
I just want to prefix my review of this book by stating that I commend Robert Mason's bravery, gallantry and skill during his time as a pilot in the Vietnam war. He put his pink body on the line where so many (myself included) would not have the inclination nor courage to do so.
Robert Mason has written an interesting and frank account of his experiences in Vietnam, and, for the most part, I think that readers will find it an worthwhile read. Certa...more
I just want to prefix my review of this book by stating that I commend Robert Mason's bravery, gallantry and skill during his time as a pilot in the Vietnam war. He put his pink body on the line where so many (myself included) would not have the inclination nor courage to do so.
Robert Mason has written an interesting and frank account of his experiences in Vietnam, and, for the most part, I think that readers will find it an worthwhile read. Certa...more
A well-written and compelling account of helicopter operations in Vietnam and the personal price paid by the men who flew them. There are many eye-witness combat accounts, but what made this one stand out for me was the way in which the narrative style reflects both the author's changing mindset and the rapid disenchantment with the war as a whole over time. It begins with rich technical detail and clear, vigorous prose, but becomes more impressionistic and staccato toward the end as the toll of...more
This is a pilot’s eye view of the Viet Nam war from the right seat of a Bell 212 Huey flying in the Happy Valley, the Drang, and all points of Hell from An Khe and Pleiku in 1965-1966. I could not put the book down. Mason drops us into places that can he can fly us out of only by using the main rotors as weed eaters to cut the enveloping canopy. We watch in disbelief as his friends are shot out from under him and others die from survivable hits when his unit is not given flak jackets, then ride...more
Robert Mason had wanted to fly since he was a boy and the US Army gave him the opportunity to fly helicopters, his first love. However he had to fly them with the 1st Cavalry (Air Assault) in Vietnam. Chickenhawk is the harrowing story of his year of combat in which he flew over 1000 assault missions ferrying troops into and out of, often heavily contested jungle landing zones.
Robert Mason survived physically unscathed, he did however bear the mental scars, turning to alcohol and drugs to help h...more
Robert Mason survived physically unscathed, he did however bear the mental scars, turning to alcohol and drugs to help h...more
The author gives a good picture of the subject which is the start of the use of helicopters for transporting combat troops and equipment. This was when Air Cav was born (1st Calvary Division became known as Air Cav). The chronology of events starts from when the author was attending flight school and goes on to the different missions in Vietnam. The book is well documented with extensive explanation of flight procedures. The combat action gives you a sense of what our men were going thru during...more
A great portrayal of what it was like to fly helicopters in Vietnam. Mason's no-nonsense descriptive prose might be plain by some standards, but it works really well in contrast to the intensity and difficulty of the events that he's describing. Starting with his descriptions of learning to fly a helicopter, Mason walks step-by-step through the strangeness of combat conditions, equipment shortages, and on through a series of difficult and dangerous missions. Mason witnesses horrible situations a...more
This is one of my favorites from the past 10 years. I think it was an "immediate" reread, at least partially. I have reread it since and my appreciation of the book has grown through approaching it through multiple editions. A classic war story that bends the mold by being truly a memoir of the authors trials and tribulations as well as exposing the writers ambiguous thoughts as to the cause in which they are engaged.
This book is also provides shining insights into the challenges of the helicopt...more
This book is also provides shining insights into the challenges of the helicopt...more
This is not just for Vietnam "rotor heads", though I can't imagine a Vietnam Huey pilot, especially with the 1st Air Cav. not having read it. If you are not keen to historically based books about the Vietnam War, it may take a few pages but before long I believe most will have a hard time putting it down. Mr. Mason's writing is open and easy to read and quickly becomes intense. Describing any duty in Vietnam will have times of intensity and slowdown because that is what it was like for most. How...more
I read about 25 books each year. Over the last 30 years I reread only about 15 of them a second time. None of the books I read 3 times and this is the only book I read 4 times (sofar!).
Its a very down to earth account of the helicopter warfare in Vietnam. Very refreshing was that there was no sign of Gung-Ho writing. Robert just keeps both feet on the ground while flying his chopper (hmmmm, bad word phrase) and is very well able to make you feel that YOU are the one flying the Slick.
Robert is a...more
Its a very down to earth account of the helicopter warfare in Vietnam. Very refreshing was that there was no sign of Gung-Ho writing. Robert just keeps both feet on the ground while flying his chopper (hmmmm, bad word phrase) and is very well able to make you feel that YOU are the one flying the Slick.
Robert is a...more
I first read this book in the early 90's, while in a period where I was reading every first-hand combat account I could find on Viet Nam. Having gained a little perspective in the intervening years I wondered if this book would have the same grip on me now as it did then. It does.
It's worth noting that every helicopter pilot I've met has read this book, and most count it among their favorites. Mason puts you right there in the cockpit with him as he goes through helicopter flight school, then w...more
It's worth noting that every helicopter pilot I've met has read this book, and most count it among their favorites. Mason puts you right there in the cockpit with him as he goes through helicopter flight school, then w...more
One of the very best books to come out of the Vietnam war. I really appreciate the writers honesty regarding his experiences, in combat, on leave or his life afterwards. He is searingly honest regarding the sex and drugs stuff - and comes over as a paid up member of the human race. Outstanding. This would make a perfect present for an older teenage boy you are struggling to get to love reading and books. There is nothing that should worry any parent, but the book is an honest account of one youn...more
Feb 12, 2010
Gary Willett
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Gary by:
Dr. McQuarrie/Neuro/VAMC
This is a great read for Vietnam Veterans or those interested in how it really was. Surely today's helicopter pilots would enjoy technical and tactical comparisons of that era to their much advanced ships today.
A veteran of more than 1,000 combat missions, Robert Mason's personal account is written by a real person with real life events of what he did, how he felt about it, and how it affected him, his family and those he served with. Here is the truth about the helicopter war in Vietnam.
Sadly h...more
A veteran of more than 1,000 combat missions, Robert Mason's personal account is written by a real person with real life events of what he did, how he felt about it, and how it affected him, his family and those he served with. Here is the truth about the helicopter war in Vietnam.
Sadly h...more
Superb memoir of the author's tour of duty as chopper pilot during the Vietnam war.
Numerous writers have talked about the Vietnam war, a conflict unlike any other to date. While the conflict on the ground has produced dozens of books, Robert Mason takes us into the air over the jungle canopy of Vietnam. His first hand account shows us that the Infantry were not the only ones who sacrificed, as he details the men he served with, and the frequently terrifying situations they went into, often without the protective equipment seen today.
For those of you who appreciate an easy rea...more
For those of you who appreciate an easy rea...more
What a terrific book. So much more than I expected. More than a memoir, more than a war book. It feels like a window back through time to the jungles of Southern Vietnam where we find a war that is hard to understand and even harder to justify.
While I found myself disliking Robert Mason, his book and his brutal honesty is hard not to respect. He could have shaved much detail from this book and still had a hit on his hands, but he gave everything he had to Chickenhawk and it became a special pie...more
While I found myself disliking Robert Mason, his book and his brutal honesty is hard not to respect. He could have shaved much detail from this book and still had a hit on his hands, but he gave everything he had to Chickenhawk and it became a special pie...more
I have read and re-read this book. It is simply amazing in it's description, characters and setting. The first time I read it a friend asked to be there for the last chapter - he wanted to see my reaction to the ending of the book. I have to say I fell for all the characters of the servicemen, the tragedy of the situation and the humor (gallows as well as situational).
When that final chapter was read I cried out, so angrily and threw the book against the wall. My friend sat there smiling - he sa...more
When that final chapter was read I cried out, so angrily and threw the book against the wall. My friend sat there smiling - he sa...more
So much has been written about the politics of Vietnam so refreshingly this account tends to steer clear and concentrates on being a first hand account of flying helicopters in that war. At times Mason writes so well that you feel you are right there with him in the cockpit as bullets fly around your head and bodies scream in pain in the back. However it went on a bit long for me and became rather repetitive and boring - though thinking about it that's exactly what the war was like for Mason. A...more
This is one of my favourite books of all time. It was loaned to me very graciously, many years ago, and once I got my own copy I have never stopped re-reading it. Mason's honesty about his ambitions (not really a very gung-ho warrior) and subsequent realization that all the smart-ass antics in the world weren't going to save him really endeared him to me. I cried at the end the first time, and most times since.
Some other reviewers have stated that they felt it a bit repetitive, over-simplified...more
Some other reviewers have stated that they felt it a bit repetitive, over-simplified...more
Actor Harrison Ford is a helicopter pilot and says that other chopper jocks often tell him he should read Chickenhawk...and he told the author he was a fan of this pilot's Vietnam memoirs. The elite special operations chopper unit Night Stalker's pilots (i.e. from the killing of Bin Ladin, Blackhawk Down, etc) say the majority of them have read it. And a small part of the book covers the author's involvement in the events from the movie "We Were Soldiers Once" (Mel Gibson).
Do you need another e...more
Do you need another e...more
Jan 10, 2012
Tasha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
5-star-reads-of-2012,
vietnam-miltary
A great, great memoir of a vietnam huey pilot. mason really puts you right in the action with amazing detail, personal (emotional and physical) experiences and some humor thrown in for good reading. I keep wavering between a 4 and 5 star read. I still may change it. I thought his writing was brilliant as it really put you in the jungles of vietnam, provided experiences on so many levels (emotional, physical, and personal to him) and even in glimpses of the vietnamese people. really a powerful re...more
3 likes · like · see review
Title of Review: "Helicopter Combat At It's Best"! june 12, 2009 Written by Bernie Weisz Vietnam Historian e mail address:BernWei1@aol.com Pembroke Pines, Florida
This book abruptly puts you in the cockpit of a Huey Gunship helicopter during the early days (1966) of the Vietnam War. Robert Mason, in "Chickenhawk" takes you on a graphic month by month tour of helicopter duty starting in August, 1965 and concludes with Mason's disillusionment with a war that would ultimately claim more than 65,000...more
This book abruptly puts you in the cockpit of a Huey Gunship helicopter during the early days (1966) of the Vietnam War. Robert Mason, in "Chickenhawk" takes you on a graphic month by month tour of helicopter duty starting in August, 1965 and concludes with Mason's disillusionment with a war that would ultimately claim more than 65,000...more
Chickenhawk I had to raise my rating on this reread to 5 Stars. This is the story of a helicopter pilot and his experiences from training to combat in Vietnam. He has a great eye for the successes and failures of the new air assault tactics as they are developed and employed. The heart-pounding trips into hot LZ’s come through clearly. He was involved in the Ia Drang Valley battle so vividly described in the book and movie of We Were Soldiers Once...and Young: Ia Drang - the Battle That Changed...more
4 likes · like · see review
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Dec 07, 2012 09:11am
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