China Pilot: Flying for Chiang (H)

by Felix Smith

Book Overview

A pilot for the China-based airline reputed to be the most shot at in the world, Felix Smith recounts in vivid detail his experiences ferrying troops and equipment for the Nationalists during China's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1574880519
• ISBN13: 9781574880519
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Potomac Books
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

China Pilot

Having spent an appreciable amount of time in Asia myself, and being an admirer of the exploits of the famed Flying Tigers (AVG), I ordered four books at one time. I saved this book for last, since Mr. Smith was not an original member of the Flying Tigers. After reading, and enjoying the others, I began Mr. Smith's CHINA PILOT. I don't know what I thought I would get out of this book, but I loved it! Felix Smith was obviously one of the very best pilots working in an Asia in turmoil at that time. His narration of the many adventures he was involved in draw the reader right into the cockpit with him. I could SEE Earthquake Magoon! I could SMELL the warm night air through the open cockpit window while flying over some jungle in Vietnam or Laos. I wholeheartedly recommend this fine book to those interested in the Far East and the many roles the AVG-CAT-Air America played during those decades of turbulence. Mr. Smith, if you happen to read this: excellent job! Both on the book, and particularly your interesting life.Mike McCaffreyDepartment of State/Foreign Service - Retired

What a beautiful book!

This book is about aviation during the pioneer days in Asia - before the days of navigational beacons and proper runway lighting. More importantly, and misleadingly from the title, it is probably one of the best "on the ground" histories of Air America's operations written from a pilot's point of view. It is written with heart, soul and compassion by a man who cared (and obviously still does) for his companions, both living and deceased, as well as the people in the places where he flew. The stories, in civil aviation terms, are amazing and while some of them are terribly sad they keep alive the memory of many good men who would otherwise be forgotten. Aside from the narrative, this is a tremendously well written book, and one that if you love aviation and are interested in and care about Asia, you will not want to put down. If the Author, (Felix Smith) writes another book, I sincerely hope that he finds a ready publisher and many readers, as in this day and age this genre of literature and narrative quality of real life experience is truly rare.

a must-have for Flying Tigers fans

Claire Chennault's legend just keeps on growing. Here is a feast for readers who can't get enough of the man who led the Flying Tigers, the 14th Air Force, and the cargo line that became Air America. Felix Smith isn't a historian. He's a pilot--a good one, since he survived 23 years with Civil Air Transport, organized to carry relief supplies around postwar China, only to become a paramilitary arm of Chiang Kai-shek's campaign against communism. To our great good fortune, Smith also turns out to be a gifted reporter. Better than anyone else, he evokes the sights, smells, and sounds of China in 1945, along with an economy so weak that U.S. dollars were precious enough to be washed and ironed after use, and a government so depraved that it's a wonder it lasted until 1949. China Pilot is a a wonderful book. It belongs on the shelf of every admirer of Chennault and his unorthodox air forces.

excellent book

felix smith is a man who uses fine prose in describing his days as a pilot for CAT. He captures the feelings and experiences for the reader, of what it was like to have been there. A page turner that I could not put down.

A good pilot and a fine writer

Felix Smith is that rare bird, who is a good pilot (he survived, after all!) who is also a fine writer. He flew for Chennault's CAT civil airline that was owned in part by the CIA, and his stories of those years, from China to Vietnam to Korea, make marvelous reading.