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A Thousand Chances: Air Cavalry in Vietnam's Bloodiest Year
A Thousand Chances is a true story of discovery and survival during the decisive year of the Vietnam war. Readers see the war from the cockpit of air cavalry helicopters and get a knife-edge view of life and death drama. This revealing human story transcends the politics and hype of Vietnam and answers the question why soldiers fight and how America lost the war. A Thousand Chances is an emotional journey filled with irony, humor, love, and loss. It fires the imagination and pulls at your heart.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 17, 2024
I just finished reading A Thousand Chances by Brigadier General Dan Hickman. I was doing a little research on the Vietnam era and found this unexpected gem. No dry narration here; this book takes the reader straight to the center of the action and does not let up. It reads fast like a NY Times bestselling novel – a compelling story set in a foreign country, likeable characters you root hard for, villains to rail against, thrilling danger, insurmountable odds, a touch of dark humor, a little romance and wonderfully engaging descriptions that drop you in the middle of the dark jungle right alongside these valiant soldiers. The only difference is that this is a true accounting of Brigadier General Hickman’s experiences, and he succeeds in putting a human face on this terrible war. I had always thought of military history as difficult reading, but this book proved me wrong on an epic scale. I also doubt I will ever eat an “American Hamburger” again without thinking of A Thousand Chances. Highly recommended reading!
August 16, 2022
3.5 Stars.
Full disclosure: I am distantly related to the author through marriage.
"A Thousand Chances" is a series of vignettes about Hickman's experiences as a pilot in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. His bravery and dedication to his men and his mission is obvious. He consistently flies dangerous missions and risks his life over and over again to rescue and help soldiers on the ground.
Even so, I found the book somewhat disappointing. In my opinion, Hickman glosses over the horrors of Vietnam, and as a result, his depiction of the war only became real to me sporadically. In addition, he consistently writes about the "domino theory." He bought this propaganda hook, line, and sinker. As history has shown, the world did not fall to communism because Vietnam fell. U.S. politicians promoted this theory and used it as justification to escalate the war. These actions resulted in untold numbers of American and Vietnamese deaths and injuries. Another quibble I have with the book, is Hickman's translations of military terms. He is very good at explaining the terms except for two of them. The first one is "cluster f*#k." Hickman states that the term is "cluster foxtrot." Also, he mentions "ash and trash" missions. They are actually "a$$ and trash" missions. I can only guess that he changed the terms in order not to offend. However, he uses curse words in other parts of the book.
I did enjoy reading the book even with these "failings" (as I see them). Hickman is a brave man, and his time in Vietnam clearly shows this.
Full disclosure: I am distantly related to the author through marriage.
"A Thousand Chances" is a series of vignettes about Hickman's experiences as a pilot in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. His bravery and dedication to his men and his mission is obvious. He consistently flies dangerous missions and risks his life over and over again to rescue and help soldiers on the ground.
Even so, I found the book somewhat disappointing. In my opinion, Hickman glosses over the horrors of Vietnam, and as a result, his depiction of the war only became real to me sporadically. In addition, he consistently writes about the "domino theory." He bought this propaganda hook, line, and sinker. As history has shown, the world did not fall to communism because Vietnam fell. U.S. politicians promoted this theory and used it as justification to escalate the war. These actions resulted in untold numbers of American and Vietnamese deaths and injuries. Another quibble I have with the book, is Hickman's translations of military terms. He is very good at explaining the terms except for two of them. The first one is "cluster f*#k." Hickman states that the term is "cluster foxtrot." Also, he mentions "ash and trash" missions. They are actually "a$$ and trash" missions. I can only guess that he changed the terms in order not to offend. However, he uses curse words in other parts of the book.
I did enjoy reading the book even with these "failings" (as I see them). Hickman is a brave man, and his time in Vietnam clearly shows this.
December 24, 2024
A thrill of epic real adventure. A story that needed to be told
Having some idea of the Vietnam war and the history of the era. It was really interesting to read this first-hand perspective of a young man headed to Vietnam. The perspective of a helicopter pilot was also extremely interesting as it is also rare amongst your typical Vietnam War infantry experience. The story was thrilling, humorous and tragic all at the same time.
Having some idea of the Vietnam war and the history of the era. It was really interesting to read this first-hand perspective of a young man headed to Vietnam. The perspective of a helicopter pilot was also extremely interesting as it is also rare amongst your typical Vietnam War infantry experience. The story was thrilling, humorous and tragic all at the same time.
December 20, 2022
A honest look at the situation the copter pilots faced in Vietnam. Well written and factually correct in many ways. I was there a little earlier than this author but he reports accurately what we faced. Have read several Vietnam journals but this one is the most realistic saga we faced during this ——— up war
A good read
Georgejohansen
A good read
Georgejohansen
April 30, 2023
As a Vietnam Veteran I enjoy the Book
I am a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the 240 AHC Greyhound 67/68 I was a crew chief on a UH 1 C Helicopter.The areas mentioned in the Book I flew in. The places The author talked about I was very familiar with.So I can recommend the book as a great resource of information and a good read
I am a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the 240 AHC Greyhound 67/68 I was a crew chief on a UH 1 C Helicopter.The areas mentioned in the Book I flew in. The places The author talked about I was very familiar with.So I can recommend the book as a great resource of information and a good read
May 12, 2023
Slicks, Cobras and Battles to Remember
Dan Hickman penned a great tribute to those he served in this conflict. Wonderful overview of the challenges and threats the air soldiers faced in Vietnam and a tribute to what makes a helicopter pilot what he is. Honest, heartwarming and real.
Dan Hickman penned a great tribute to those he served in this conflict. Wonderful overview of the challenges and threats the air soldiers faced in Vietnam and a tribute to what makes a helicopter pilot what he is. Honest, heartwarming and real.
December 1, 2022
Well written
I've read a lot of these Viet Nam Era books. This is one of the better ones. Written from his perspective as helicopter pilots gave me a better appreciation of the helicopter pilots in the war.
I've read a lot of these Viet Nam Era books. This is one of the better ones. Written from his perspective as helicopter pilots gave me a better appreciation of the helicopter pilots in the war.
March 9, 2023
Great book, very relatable reading. This work actually is a real life experience. How it related to the political efforts were/ are right on, here we are 50 years later. I recommend this to anyone that would like to see the factual reporting by the hands on author. I was there during that time frame.
March 11, 2023
Waited for the Interesting Part
I kept reading, figuring the interesting parts were not far ahead. There are no interesting parts. Not interesting, not humorous, not gripping. I gave two stars because the author is a veteran and I have a soft spot for them.
I kept reading, figuring the interesting parts were not far ahead. There are no interesting parts. Not interesting, not humorous, not gripping. I gave two stars because the author is a veteran and I have a soft spot for them.
January 24, 2024
Excellent!
Welcome home, and thank for your service. Your words are inspiring, descriptive, and heart rending. You fought well against overwhelming odds, and served this country with honor for many years.
Welcome home, and thank for your service. Your words are inspiring, descriptive, and heart rending. You fought well against overwhelming odds, and served this country with honor for many years.
May 22, 2024
Excellent book
Excellent read. I like that it really gives you a feel for what it was !like being in Viet Nam. I suspect it was a bit sugar coated given the author is now a General.
Excellent read. I like that it really gives you a feel for what it was !like being in Viet Nam. I suspect it was a bit sugar coated given the author is now a General.
August 27, 2023
good book
Gives the reader an insiders view of the air mobile world during the Vietnam war from the pilot’s perspective from training thru rotation home.
Gives the reader an insiders view of the air mobile world during the Vietnam war from the pilot’s perspective from training thru rotation home.
November 7, 2023
A great book
This book was well? It told what his service was like. It told how the solvers ladies for each other .
This book was well? It told what his service was like. It told how the solvers ladies for each other .
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews