Firebirds: A Harrowing Firsthand Account of Helicopter Combat in Vietnam

by Chuck Carlock

Book Overview

Chuck Carlock volunteered to become a helicopter pilot in August 1966, convinced that by the time he finished training, the Vietnam War would be over. Little did he know that he would see some of the war's most intense action, including the Tet offensives. Carlock portrays countless dangers, from an elusive enemy and treacherous terrain to blinding weather, faulty equipment, and friendly fire. He rides the pendulum between fear and fearlessness during his many brushes with death. Along with the danger and tension, Carlock tells us about the camaraderie and humor shared by men who lived on the edge. Carlock's stories will sometimes shock you, sometimes bring a smile to your face, and sometimes make you angry. Learn about "secret" missions into a neutral country. Discover how the Walker spy ring cost American lives. Most of all, find out what it was like for a twenty-one-year-old farm boy to find himself suddenly immersed in vicious daily combat, making decisions that determined the fate of hundreds of lives.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553577050
• ISBN13: 9780553577051
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.41 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Writing

As a Vietnam War buff and a student helicopter pilot, I absolutely loved this book! The accounts are very engaging; I never wanted to put the book down. Carlock's writing is great: my "mind's eye" always had a running image of the book as I read. Definitely recommend it!

good job firebird

I'm the Burroughs in the book. Congratulations Chuck on a job well done.

This is a Great book!

Firebirds is the best military aviation book I have ever read. It pulled me into the action both in the air and behind the scenes. The use of real names and photos gave me confidence in the basic accuracy of the stories, something often missing in other helicopter pilot books. Mr. Carlock's credentials as an aircraft commander in both gunships and slicks reveals a pilot that had the experience, leadership, and stamina to know and understand what was really happening. There's a big difference between logging a few hours as an acting aircraft commander and living with the responsibilities of being one. I noticed one reviewer said he had a hard time following the storyline. Novels have storylines. This book instead, tells a reader what flying helicopters was really like and puts the reader inside the cockpit as well as the pilot's head. This is the one to read!

He's right - it is the best first-person account of the war.

Chuck Carlock is a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of a military helicopter pilots association, which gives him access to both his memories and those of his buddies. Fly with him as he takes you out on missions in Huey gunships and slicks (so named because they carried no guns, hence their sides were 'slick') as he crisscrosses some of the hottest spots in the theatre. And when he's done with you, his buddies step in and take you on med evac hops and Special Forces inserts deep inside Cambodia. Hands down, this is the best book of 'Nam chopper flying I've read (except for perhaps 'Chickenhawk'). And after you've read this book, pop 'Apocalypse Now' or 'Platoon' in the VCR (or DVD) and get the total 'Nam experience.

Chuck Carloc tells tales of helicopter combat in vietnam .

The book Firebirds tells of the dangers of being a firebird helicopter pilot. This book tells of both the comical side and the cold hard truth about flying helicopter gunships in vietnam