BOB FORD "GAVE VOICE" TO THE MEMORY OF HIS CREW.
922426
Bob Ford was gifted with a magnificent voice synonymous with those of truly great performers and broadcasters and assured of a large measure of success in their field, had he been so inclined.  He was endowed with a very high degree of intelligence, an amazingly quick wit, and an extraordinary memory.  This writer was emboldened by a deep faith in his Heavenly Father and love and respect for others.  By unselfishly making use of these qualities, he was, thus, enabled to "give voice" to the memory of his beloved crew, The Black Cats, through the creation of the wonderful literary work, BLACK CAT 2-1:  THE TRUE STORY OF A VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOT AND HIS CREW.

With gentle dialogue and keen attention to detail, the author maintained constancy in his depiction of a young soldier's life and sacrifice, which transcended all wars.  He shared raw emotions of peril that lent understanding to loved ones of those who served with such purpose as his own -- the fallen and the brave who endured a living death.

Now much older, the unassuming Aircraft Commander, who felt that he "just did his duty", inspired readers of today and generations to come with patriotism without a political agenda, responsibility for one's fellowman not tainted by desire of reward, importance of finishing the task set before one free from complaint, and passion toward enjoying small vignettes of life even amidst horror.  On the pages of the book, Bob Ford extended a place of comfort and relief to readers seeking the meaning of it all  --  especially to all of us on this Memorial Day.  --  by:  Patsy Boyt Mills
3434777
Memories...and the base track blending of those voices that inspired so many more groups to come.
2815053
This book reminded me that Ford and GM were not the only cars of my youth. Quite a few of the makes chronicled here were unfamiliar to me. A must have for any automotive collection.
3027796
As a crew member on this voyage, this book is full of fond memories of a trip of a life time.
3330095
Wanted something to remember the boys on my what was my favorite show. R.I.P. Top Gear trio
3990957
I had the good fortune to serve at then-Captain Colavita's side as his company radio operator for a few months in 1968. I remember him as an outstanding leader who put the welfare of his men as his top priority. When his book "Company Grade" was announced, I ordered it immediately. After reading the book I was not let down. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the Vietnam War.  If anyone asks me what it was like to be there, this is the book I will recommend. It is an easy read, especially considering the subject, and Mr. Colavita gets his points across without dwelling on gore or over-the-top profanity. I especially remember the Chicken Valley incident, and it was here that Skipper put me in for an ARCOM w/ V device for some not-too-smart  things I did to maintain radio contact for support during one of the fire fights. Thank you, Rocky. You knew me as "Griff".
2132273
A highly readable collection of short stories about one man's experience as a member of the Navy's elite Underwater Demolition Teams, specifically UDT 12, during the tumultuous 1960s. The author does not attempt to paint a broad historical overview of the Teams but rather presents an intimate insider's perspective of one boat crew, seven men, who train together and forge a bond of friendship and trust that lasts a lifetime. Nick Nickelson writes with a keen memory for detail, an understanding of his fellow man, and an obvious love and respect for his teammates. I enjoyed his recall of the 1963 operation with astronaut Gordon Cooper and the Mercury Capsule, a part of UDT history that is seldom told. I hope he has more stories to tell.

Pamela Russell
731100
Jack gets together with his old crew from the service.  It is nice to see the camaraderie that they share.
859905
A great read. Learned some things I didn't know about Henry and Edsel Ford; some good, some not so good. As a native of Dearborn, Michigan, I grew up around the Ford empire. My Father was an employee at Ford, beginning his career at the Rouge and ending it some 40 years later at the Louisville, KY truck plant. Some of the stories he told are told again in this book, which validates the fact that my old man knew what he was talking about!
The book is, in my opinion, an accurate history of the period of time it covers. It confirmed other books I've read on the subject, which was why I purchased this book in the first place. I would recommend it to anyone who might be interested in the early history of the Ford Motor Company and the people who made it what it was ... and is today.
351987
I am so honored to be included as one of Bill King's childhood friends. I so well remember-along with Jack Dreschler,- who unfortunately we lost in a plane crash in about 1964.  Bill has obviously done well in his lifetime. I remember sending my collie dog-named for Lassie-over to his home across the street. He would bark for Bill, and if Bill was not home, his mother would look around the corner and holler "Bill's not home, and send the dog back." Certainly humble beginnnings, but what memories it stirs up-65 years ago. I never thought I would get this old, and I assume our author never did as well. I had forgotten that we had built a trench to ward off Japanese soldiers, should we have lost the war.  Such a contribution to society, but its clear that Bill has made many contributions to society in his lifetime. My only contribution has been extremely good looks and humility, although that has been unfortunately left out of this tome.  It is a great book of memories of my childhood, in addition to Bill's. I extend my sincere thanks to him for his inclusion of his handsome and humble, childhood friend.

William Risley, D.C.
Originally:
10 Fairview Place
Elrama, Pa  (Before Zip Codes,internet and cell phones---I had to send my dog)
4666027
Over the past years, British author Dilip Sarkar has done more than any one author to collect and disseminate the memories of those immortal RAF pilots who won the Battle of Britain. THE FEW, THE STORY OF THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN THE WORDS OF THE PILOTS is his latest collection of BoB reminiscences. Published by Amberley Publishing, it offers a first-person, in-the-cockpit view of BoB action from 10 July to 31 October 1940.

Sarkar examines each phase of the BoB chronologically: the initial encounters from 10 July to 12 August; Eagle Day ops from 13 to 18 August; the campaign against the RAF airfields, 19 August to 6 September; the switch to London, 7 to 30 September; and the beginning of the night campaign, 1 to 31 October 1940. Into his comprehensive and insightful narrative, he interweaves comments from over 70 pilots including such luminaries as Peter Townsend, Peter Brothers, 'Buck' Casson, Hugh Dundas, Denis Crowley-Milling, Denys Gillam, Bob Tuck, 'Grumpy' Unwin, David Scott-Malden and others. The reminiscences range from short paragraphs to page-length commentary. The text is complimented by dozens of rare photographs of pilots, aircraft, crashed aircraft, etc.

Given the many BoB books recently published, THE FEW certainly belongs in the top ranks. The many, many reminiscences bring the Battle to vivid life and the evocative photographs remind us of the young men who daily launched themselves against Hitler's Luftwaffe. Buy this book, you won't regret it! Highly recommended.
3119082
John Wayne, as usual, was a good hero nad Robert Montgomery was a believable commander in charge of the group. The picture, without so much vorlence shown up close,gave the feelings of the period and time during the beginnings of WWII in the Pacific when we aere unpreparaded for that type of wasfare.
3615660
I was just a young boy when this took place during the 1940's, and I worked with a ex marine who experienced it. This personal account by one such marine tells in graphic form what actually went on. The difference being how watching on a small screen sanitizes the true reality of what these men went through. What the audience experienced in a few hours, those men experienced for their entire lives, those that survived.
A story well done with superb acting by actors who were not old enough to remember, nor even served in the military gives testimony to the producers and writers as well as the military advisors envolved in making this series.
Reading "The Old Breed" and "Helmet for My Pillow" deepens ones understanding and appreciation for "The Greatest Generation".
2876621
The beginning of the book has Bob's point of view as the Kings were on the road to winning their first Stanley Cup.  As you read, you can hear Bob's voice talking about his experiences and the funny things that happen behind the scenes in Bob's day to day job with the Kings.  Must have/read for Kings fans.
360768
Wow.  These guys in 1990 predicted the bailout of GM and Chrysler of 2009 and said that Ford was not going to be a victim.  It is kept my interest during the entire read and did not feel I was reading a dated book.  Anyone one that has an interest in autos, manufacturing or retention of jobs in the US should read this.
376224
First hand experiences gave insight to what chopper crews went thru.
934652
Fantastic history of Monitor, the NBC weekend radio program from 1955 to 1975.

It brought back many, many memories of weekend radio listening in the car, going up to the Huntington, WV, area from Cincinnati and back to visit grandparents and other relatives.  Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons were when the car radio in our Mercury, Buick, or Oldsmobile wagons was tuned to WLW in Cincinnati.  I remember (and this book brought back vividly!) the Monitor announcers, the theme music, commercials of longtime sponsors, the comedians, the music, and so many other memories.  All these are interlaced with the wind in my face from the car window, the endlessly varied vistas of the beautiful Ohio River, warmth of a summer weekend, cornfields and tobacco fields, river shacks, towboats with large rafts of barges, N&W trains charging up and down the tracks along the river -- all now long gone.

If you remember Monitor, your other associated memories may be very different from mine.  However, Monitor in the background will come flooding back to you with this book, and your own happy memories with it, as you read this wonderful retrospective.