BOOK REVIEW: TO THE LIMIT.

 AN AIR CAV HUEY PILOT IN VIETNAM.

Another book from my library. This one recounts the experiences of a helicopter pilot in 1967-68. The authors story is fairly typical  and reflects the severe danger that Huey pilots endured. The average death rate among US military personnel was 1 in 45 but for helicopter pilots it was a staggering 1 in 18.

The book clearly describes life as a pilot, and gives really good accounts of heavy combat operations as well as a lot about day to day life. The only thing I don't like is the "conversations" the author includes. Many of these are clearly intended to give background information about himself but they come across in a very stilted, unrealistic way that is just not  credible. Otherwise the book is well written.

The classic account of helicopter piloting in Vietnam is of course "Chickenhawk" which I also have in the library.  This book is not to that standard but is still a good read and illustrates well the particular horrors of  the Vietnam war.