10 stars from a former Naval Aviator!
351291
Awesome book! Easy read and the action never stops! I hope Mr. Martin writes many more. I wish I could buy him a beer someday.
2426224
Greetings & Salutations! Preston Perronet produces the most beautiful illustrations of military and naval insignia of rank and he gives us readers subjects like this on the United States Coast Guard which was the Revenue Cutter Service until 1915, stuff like that is next to impossible to find, I should know, I've been collecting and doing research for over 50 years and Preston surprises even myself! Most authors cover just the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines or the Navy and usually its for World War Two, but he presents all of the U.S. Armed Forces from past to present, simply amazing! Its well worth the investment to buy his reference material as you'll be going to see what escaped your attention earlier and will go a long way to making you more authoritive on militaria. These make great gifts for friends and relatives! Enjoy! Respectfully yours, Sarge Booker of Tujunga [POST SCRIPT] Preston also covers the insignia of the military and naval academies and he is outstanding on C.A.P (Civil Air Patrol) too! Thanks, Preston!
2199691
Excellent read, one of the best books that I have read on WW2 naval warfare from a personal perspective. Gives you a wonderful insight into the mind of a commander whose crews lives as well as his ships fate rest in every decision he makes. A must have for any nautical enthusiast!
1029762
Having been a Navy pilot, flying the AD-5N Skyraider (known as the A-1G during the Viet Nam era) I felt like I was one of the "Sandy" pilots desperately trying to help Streetcar 304 out of his scary mess!  I was truly impressed with not only the thorough research Kenny did before writing the book, but his incredible recall of all the experiences and especially the personal reactions, feelings and sensations during his ordeal, moment by frightening moment.  A great read!
192738
Great book! Great detailed accounts of Tom Blackburn and VF-17 squadron which had the reputation of the Navy high score kills during the Pacific war and not loosing a bomber to enemy fighters . If you like to revive the  dogfights, strategies, stressful and other moments in the life  of a pilot this is the book for you. The accounts of Blackburn and his Jolly Rogers are so amazing  that I'm surprised that some producer had not made a movie out of this book.
339897
On November 22, 2017 I was returning from visiting my close friend and neighbor Rear Admiral Ed Fahy USN Retired when I stopped at the mailbox to excitedly find my copy of National Treasure.  Into the house I grabbed a cup of coffee and decided the remainder of the day would be curled up in the recliner following the adventures of Deputy Marshal Raines, Samantha and of course Tanner Raines. As I started to read the very first sentence of chapter one I had to stop and look around!  General Carr, "New Colony's Chief", is feeling cooped up aboard the USS John F. Kennedy which is the Headquarters for the New Colony.  As a young Naval Captain Rear Admiral Ed Fahy was the Commanding Officer of the USS John F. Kennedy,  I guess I will have to ask Admiral Fahy if he relinquished Command to General Carr!  I completed my first reading by evening of the 23rd.  During the next week I will again read this most interesting book cover to cover.  All the tactics of survival taught my Deputy Marshal Mason Raines and his father Tanner may be the tactics that could save your own life one day.  Samantha has shown us all regardless of who you are or how your were raised you also can learn to survive situations that others can not imagine.
4196901
This book is tightly written, with an even flow and deals with the real world. Every Naval Aviator and squadron leader should read and understand this accurate account of Naval Aviation in a time of transition. The work would be priceless as an MBA Case Study or Naval War College leadership exercise.

If you are looking for stirring sea stories or lurid exposes I suggest you go elsewhere. If you want insight as to the workings of aviation leadership and the Flag Mess at its best, this is the work for you. We had a problem  all of us  from the poor taxpayer in front of the TV to the overworked taxi director on the flight line. We were losing, hell we were hemorrhaging, lives; we were bleeding dollars; we were impacting readiness. We were in a mess of our own making and it was up to us to identify the problem with specificity and design a resolution that not only made sense on paper but one which we could sell to the end users  the mechanics and the pilots.

I started in that system in 1955 (with an aircraft first flown in 1935) in the midst of the crisis. I joined first Fleet Squadron as the RAGs were birthing. VA-94 was the last of the West Coast self-trained attack squadrons as it transitioned from VF to VA, FJs to A4s. I had my last flight in 1973 (in an aircraft first flown in 1954) when the problem had been resolved. I lived to tell my aviation tale because of leaders like VADM Dunn, NATOPS and a load of luck.

This is the story of how our leadership stood up and was counted, enabling many of us to avoid becoming a statistic. Self disclosure: I am a professional acquaintance of the author, Vice Admiral Dunn, and would cheerfully fly on his wing anywhere, anytime.

This volume is well worth your investment of time and treasure.
294318
I had the humbling honor of serving 21 years & 18 days in the U.S. Air Force. I have read dozens and dozens and dozens of personal accounts of military service. This is absolutely one of the most honest, open, and heart-felt accounts of military service that I have ever seen. Petty Officer Maki will take you around the world on her Navy adventures sharing friendship and love, joy and pain. She paints a meticulous picture of the brother and sisterhood of camaraderie that is military service. I had planned to read it over the long holiday weekend, but once I started reading, I just could not stop. I highly recommend this book to any American. It certainly was penned by a great one! God Bless Our Troops!  John W. Harper, Author, Among The Dead; My Years in The Port Mortuary
3223294
I flew helicopters for the Army starting in 1972. From there to becoming a Test Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Standardization Instructor Pilot, Aviation Brigade Safety Officer, and Master Army Aviator. A 20 year career in the Army and Guard and 5 more in the Ready Reserve, a career full of fun and excitement. Sometimes flying to the full extent of my ability and sometimes past the published limits of the aircraft. Early in my career a few very talented aviators had an influence in my flying career and were responsible my success and for molding me into the aviator I became. One of those men and a dear friend Robert Curtis has written a book "Surprised at Being Alive." In his book are a couple of flights that we performed together. Bob is one of four aviators that had major impact on my development as a professional aviator. Thanks Bob for all your patience when I was a newbie, beginning my aviation career. If you want an exciting read about military aviation and cheating death. I strongly recommend the book.... I read the whole thing yesterday start to finish. Just could not put it down......Bob captures the seriousness, of always completing the mission and glamour of being military aviator, always cool under pressure no matter how scared. Bob introduced me to several aviation books back in the 70's, like books by Richard Bach. Bob's book rivals any I have ever read about Military aviation.

Thanks Bob, my hat is off to you.
Get your copy today.
1495846
I am half way through the book.  Mike Stock was my Executive Officer when we were both stationed at HSL-30 at NAS Norfolk back in 1979.  I was one of the squadron's Yeoman.  He was a great officer and leader.  I still have my performance appraisals that he wrote and signed.  Long time ago.

Mike - if you read this - you were one of many influencers in my life.  After leaving the Navy (My wife's wishes), I have earned several college degrees through a Masters, have taught college, and have been in the computer industry for over 30 years.  My best wishes to you,

Bob Rose - former YN2, US Navy
3228153
I just love this read!  It is so enjoyable and heartfelt that I have read it multiple times over the years!

If you love aviation ... you will love this book!  If you have a passing interest in aviation ... you will love this book!

A very sensitive look into not only the adventure of the author but her heart, her soul, her very person as well.
881710
As a retired Naval Aviator, Raven One was a welcome return to the ins and outs of life at sea that I have missed in the last few years.  The plot was extremely realistic and detailed providing great insight to those who haven't been there, while maintaining the inside sense of humor for those of us who have lived squadron life!  It was good to feel like I was back at sea with my buds in support of a common goal and National Interests.  Kevin, thanks for the opportunity to live again to live a past life....if even for only a little while! ~ Otto
3383656
I am an aviation enthusiasts and for years, I have enjoyed Squadron/Signal Publication aircraft profiles! They are a terrific preservation of history as well as a excellent reference tool for aviation scholars and model aircraft builders! The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an amazing and important aircraft during the early years of WWII especially with it's deployment in the Pacific theater against the Japanese forces. Filled with photos, profiles, and operational history, this volume will satisfy any aviation buff!
4555712
For all of you who loved Patrick O'Brian's Capt Jack Aubrey and his many exploits in the Napoleonic Wars, this is a must read. It is the autobiography of the man who was the real-life inspiration for Aubrey. O'Brian lifted whole exploits out of Cochrane's life for the basis of many of his books and he elaborated wonderfully on Cochrane's personality. At least one biography I have read on Cochrane made him out to be a brilliant tactical commander but otherwise an overweening egotist who complained about any slight to his honor. This autobiography reveals a man with a strong sense of fair play for the men under his command (no floggings and personal leadership), who fought a totally corrupt Admiralty on behalf of both the seamen and his country's safety. He includes many primary documents to make his points and was clearly not just spouting off. He displays a wonderful sense of modesty about his genuinely amazing naval accomplishments and has a fabulous sense of humor. While he writes in the flowery style that seems common to everyone who put pen to paper in 19th century England, I did not expect to laugh out loud when I started the book. Great read for those of you addicted to Aubrey-Maturin, Hornblower and others!
4300196
My wife and I had the honor of knowing Lt Col Charles E. McGee and his wife Frances, while we were going through ground and flying training in the RF-4C aircraft prior to our combat tour in Vietnam in 1967-68.  As a young 1st Lt, I was most impressed with Lt Col McGee's flying skills and his duties as the 16th Tac Recon Squadron Commander in Vietnam.  I flew as  his back seat WSO during combat missions and more than once we experienced enemy ground fire at our aircraft, but by luck and skill we never received any battle damage to our aircraft or to ourselves.  The book, written by his daughter, beautifully expresses Col McGee's life growing up in a segregated civilian and military environment.  I was very impressed during our time together with his down-to-earth manner, both as an aviator and squadron commander in dealing with all kinds of situations.  He was, by far, the best commander I had during my 26 year career in the USAF.  Following his year in Vietnam, I was very happy that his outstanding record was recognized by his promotion to full Colonel, USAF.

Lynn C. Jorgensen, LT Col USAF (Ret)
3800647
I am proud to say I knew Don Sheldon, and even spent 20,000 hours in sharing his Alaska wilderness flying experiences.  Many times, Don Sheldon and I would cross paths somewhere "out there," and each time I had to remark again that, in spite of his rough and specialized lifestyle, and his knife-edge flying challenges, he was nonetheless a gentleman through and through.

When finally he went west at the ravages of a powerful cancer, I flew to Talkeetna, where I executed an inside loop in my little yellow Super Cub over the gravesite party.  It was a "goodbye" that I had never expected to make.

To any who appreciates true heroism, the real Alaska, or edge-of-the-seat flying of any sort, I heartedly recommend this marvelous book.  It is the standard against which all other such volumes must be measued.
195929
Thank you for explaining what I went thru at 19 years old, first time at SEA with VA-95 an A-6 bomber squadron ONBOARD the USA CORAL SEA CV-43!!!!!! EXCELLENT BOOK!