Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilot's War

by Peter Hunt

Book Overview

From the carrier launch in total darkness to the gut-dropping rolls through enemy antiaircraft fire, Peter Hunt puts you in the pilot's seat for the flight of your life.Moments after the first Gulf... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345451147
• ISBN13: 9780345451149
• Release Date: August 2002
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.7" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

The Hook - Journal of Carrier Aviation Book Review

Angles of Attack: An A-6 Intruder Pilot?s War; Peter Hunt; Ballantine Books, New York, N.Y., 2002; softcover, 368 pages, illustrated. .... This newest Gulf War memoir is excellent; it really does put the reader in the cockpit. Like the A-7 Corsair, its stablemate in the Navy?s attack community, the A-6 Intruder flew its final combat sorties in the six-week action that ousted the invading Iraqis from Kuwait. Intruder squadrons flew from all six carriers deployed during Desert Storm (as well as two Marine Corps shore-based squadrons), and one A-6 aviator tells a story that covers the buildup of Desert Shield and the nightly launches that devastated Iraqi naval and land assets. Peter Hunt?s enthusiastic account is one of the best of the type this reviewer has read in recent years. The focal point of the book is, of course, his experience flying 45 combat missions with VA-145 and the close bond with his bombardier-navigator (BN). The descriptions of the prewar activities as the squadron, air wing and carrier prepare to deploy give a fine insider?s view of carrier aviation. The work ups are described in detail that might at times slow the story, but Hunt carries the story well with the result that these portions are well worth the reader?s time. Hunt tells what it was like flying combat from one of the Navy?s oldest carriers, USS Ranger (CV-61). Peripheral areas like a port call in the Philippines, the loneliness of Christmas Eve at sea ? he decides to sort out his personal survival items ? and thoughts of family so far away are some of the most appealing aspects of Hunt?s work.. The author and his BN participated in the Battle of Bubiyan, which saw the destruction of several Iraqi navy PT boats that eliminated that threat. They also flew during the last major attack on Iraqi units along the so-called ?highway of death? as the invaders torched the Kuwaiti capital and tried to flee. Though a rather large paperback, the writing flows well and the author has a nice, personal style. Unfortunately, the book concludes on a sour note because of his dissatisfaction with the post-war Navy, the impact of the Tailhook scandal and the resulting ?rot from within.? Family separation also plays a hand in his decision to leave, as does the demise of the A-6 community, with no replacement after the A-12 debacle. Nonetheless, Angles of Attack is a fine effort that tells the story of one of the Navy?s stalwart aviation communities during its last combat deployment.Peter Mersky

Outstanding "inside" look at a pilot's view of Desert Storm

Title of this review says it all. The only reason I wanted to post another review of this book is to just add another 5 stars-it's that good.This book should become a classic-alas, I fear it will be overlooked by most, and that will definately be their loss.I kid you not-I've read most of the first person accounts of aerial combat, from all periods, and this one is right at the top of the list.

A fantastic book!

Totally awesome book! A great read! Really puts you right there in the cockpit flying in combat against Iraq... a must read as our country heads back to war with Saddam again.

As real as it gets!

This is the real deal. As a former Navy pilot myself, I can tell you this book smacks you down in the pilot's seat, tosses you around, shoots at you (and lets you shoot back), and doesn't let you go until Saddam is begging for mercy. Quite simply, a great war yarn, with surprising personality and wit for a new and relatively unknown writer.I look forward to future work from this up and coming writer.Buy it - you won't be sorry.

Accessible and Timely Patriotic Military Reading

I am a woman who's never served in the military, but the book was gripping in its detailed account of the "first" Gulf War.I couldn't put it down! I found it particularly interesting now as the U.S. prepares for a "second" Gulf War.