It's been many years since I read this book by Robert Mason but it is so memorable. From his dream of flying, particularly helicopters, through his training, Vietnam, and his dreadful life afterwards. I was thrilled, shocked, annoyed (at the treatment of veterans at the time). It is a book not to be missed if you are interested in history, the Vietnam war, flying helicopters, any of these interests makes it compelling reading.

40 years on from when I first read Chickenhawk it is is still an absorbing read on the one machine everyone associates with the Vietnam War, the men who flew it and those who survived due to it.

This isn't an easy read, at times it is quite harrowing but it is nevertheless very interesting. Mason vividly recalls his time as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam war. Like countless others, he was not fully prepared for the horrific experiences and so he has a very, very difficult time. It's an extremely honest and reflective memoir not only about his own experiences but the war in general. I think these types of books, written by the soldiers, are extremely important and should be read in order to truly understand the effects and cost of war. There have been many books written about the Vietnam war but this is one of the stand-out works. In fact, it's one of the stand-out books about war in general. If you have an interest in history, the military and biographies, then you will find this a fascinating, if at times distressing, read.

Read this way back in 1984 when it was first published - it was so good that I can remembr it now 20 plus years later. If your interest is "US and "Nam" this is a book for you - well worth it.