The Ravens: The Men Who Flew in America's Secret War in Laos

by Christopher Robbins

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517566125
• ISBN13: 9780517566121
• Release Date: October 1987
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.69 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I was there, and this book is 100% authentic.

As someone who was fortunate enough to work as one of the ground support crew for the Ravens, I can testify that Christopher Robbins has done an incredible job of journalism in this book. I do not believe any American would have been allowed to describe the Ravens with such candor. Robbins' British nationality freed him from such constraints, and he used his freedom to the utmost. There can be no better recommendation for this book than the fact that the Ravens veterans organization sells it through their own website. And were these men truly the out-sized personalities described in the book? All I can say is, man, did Robbins have to tone it down to make it believable.

Fascinating Look Into What "Never Happened"

Hard to put this book down. Who were these mysterious folks who wore cut-off jeans, cowboy hats, and sunglasses? A very interesting documentary about this secret operation. If a pilot was shot down they were to take shellfish poison and commit suicide, because officially, they didn't exist. What country is the most-bombed per capita in history of the world? Vietnam? No, Laos. There are frequent insights and descriptions into the personalities of this small group of daring people who took part in this widely unknown conflict and series of secret missions. It lasted 10 years. Military terminology, procedures, strategies, and informalities (the way things got done), are explained well in this book. The personalities, internal politics and military strategies within Laos of the U.S. military and political bureaucracy, and Viet Minh, are broken down in an easy-to-read and free-flowing way, that makes it interesting and enjoyable for the reader. Some battles were examined that most of the American public is still not aware of today. There is a lot of information and real-life examples about endless catch-22-like SOPs and regulations that bound those who served in the Vietnam and the "other theater," (Laos). Common expressions explained throughout the book explain what it meant when someone "went bamboo," or took a hit from the "golden BB." What is a "FAC" or a "REMF." Vets will be impressed when a civilian mentions these acronyms.Like in Vietnam, the American military bureaucrats (suits) in downtown Vientiene offices were unaware and out-of-touch, yet, they were the ones creating and enforcing the rules and regulations, but not participating in the conflict. Therefore, they really didn't know what was going, and couldn't relate to the folks who put their life on the line every time they hopped in their officially non-existent jalopy. What is it like to realistically know that today may be your last day? Every day? The picturesque and mystical description of Laos and its' people make one want to go there and see it for their own eyes. Thoses interested in history, foreign policy, and South East Asia in general will learn from and enjoy this book, which should be more well-known.

Extremely helpful book

I did a report on the war in Laos for school. I couldn't find much on it at school, but when I found this book at the library I was set. I was first only going to read sections of it to get information for my report, but I liked it so much that I read the whole thing and did a book report on it for another class. It's a great book, and I think a lot of people who don't think they'd want to read a book about the secret war in Laos would really like it.

Excellent book:Vietnam era military / CIA operations in Laos

In an era when the Nixon administration was denying any military operations in neutral Laos, Air Force forward air controllers were not only directing fire missions but training Laotian hillspeople, the Hmong, to fly ground combat missions against the Vietnamese. This true to life narrative which was the basis for the Mel Gibson move, "Air America", is a terrific read. You'll learn that the CIA contingent of pilots, Air America, were nothing at all like the silly characters in the movie. In fact, they were risking their lives daily to rescue downed airman and stifle the flow of military logistics on the Ho Chi Minh trail as it passed through Laos. You'll read how Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, was directly involved with planning insurgency campaigns against the North Vietnamese. Outstanding book, also read, Marshall Harrisons, "A Lonely Kind of War."

An inside look at a secret part of the air war

This book is a close and personal look at the guys that were known as "Ravens". They fought a secret war flying light aircraft and they made a daily affair at flying these aircraft into the enemy bullets on a daily basis without any real weaponry for protection. Hair raising accounts fo their bravery and also filled with many personal glimpses of the people that did this plus some rather humorous stories as well.