A Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller, Vietnam

It takes a very special kind of courage to go to war entirely alone. To deliberately make yourself a target so you can pinpoint who is shooting at you. It goes far beyond brave to do this time and again, month after month, knowing that even if it all goes wrong but you survive the shooting and then the plane crash, the likelihood of rescue is within whispering distance of zero. It takes skill that defies understanding to put danger aside and focus on keeping track of where you are, where your (usually tiny) friendly force is, where the (usually numerous) enemies are, and where the high-speed fighter-bombers you are controlling are. And to direct them to place bombs, rockets and gunfire frighteningly close to the handful of hard-pressed men you are protecting. And it takes an extraordinary ability to be able to put this into words so that you are there in the cockpit with Forward Air Controller Marshall Harrison and coming to see - really see - his lonely war through his eyes. In this remarkable story you feel his calm professionalism, his astonishing spatial awareness, his unflagging good humour, and his sense of honor. You feel, too, his (always understated) anger at callous and incompetent behind-the-lines heroes who routinely demand the impossible - then claim the credit when it is achieved, all the while denying those upon whose backs they ride to unearned glory the material resources they need and the respect that is their richly-deserved due. This small book about a tiny, but vital, element of modern warfare is an inspiring testament to the uncompromising and uncomplaining decency of those who make their choice in life and stick to it, no matter what. In a world ever-more full of spin, chicanery, superficiality and shameless politicians, it is heart-warming to see the world through Marshall Harrison's eyes. It is people like him who are the true American Dream. And "A Lonely Kind of War" is a cracking good read, too.

I was a Navy A4 pilot flying mostly over N. Vietnam from the aircraft carriers at Yankee station but on several occasions we flew over Laos working with a FAC-this book revealed a lot of work that FACs did besides just putting Willie Pete’s on useless targets for us jet jocks to bomb-outstanding reading-thanks Mr. Harrison!!

This is a remarkable book of service and self sacrifice. It is fast paced at times humorous and very well written. A Forward Air Controller flying an OV-10 Bronco, Marshall Harrison tells the compelling story of his service in South Vietnam. Flying from forward often unimproved air strips he helped protect troops in enemy contact and directed fighter aircraft dropping bombs.

1. Short review: :-D 2. Long review: 2.1. What I liked: A Lonely Kind of War was everything I hoped it would be and more. Great story. Great action. I thought Harrison had blown the climax when he put his bail-out over hostile territory and rescue early in the last chapter. I was wrong. There was a better climax at the end. Roller-coaster or walk-in-the-park? Oh, roller coaster. Definitely roller coaster. This book gives great value for your money. 2.2. What I did not like: Does not apply. 2.3. Who I think is the audience: Look, anybody who reads English can enjoy this book, but fly-boys, especially blue-suited fly-boys, will get the most of it. 2.4. Is the book appropriate for children to read? No. Soldiers' language. Not there on every page but Harrison pulls no punches. 2.5. On the basis of reading this book, will I buy the author's next book? Yes, but here's the rub. Marshall Harrison died in 1995. He wrote this book, a kind of autobiography, and three novels. The three novels are Cadillac Flight , The Delta , and Leaving Brogado . Cadillac Flight is available in hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market paperback but not eBook. The Delta is available only in hardcover. Leaving Brogado is available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook; currently, the sample from Leaving Brogado is on my Kindle. 2.6. Other: I read a number of works concurrently. At last count, I am reading 16 books, one eMagazine, and one paper magazine (the relic of an old, multi-year subscription). I give each work its due attention in rotation. Except A Lonely Kind of War. I enjoyed this book so much that I broke the rotation and stayed with Harrison's book to the end. I'm glad I did. To those who know, Harrison's awards impress: Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Medal of Honor, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with two Silver Stars and Palm, Joint Service Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 20 OLCs (!), DFC with OLC, and the Silver Star. For those who buy the eBook, here are my corrections: Location 5066: ammo vice amino Location 5595: klick vice Hick Location 5666: Roj vice Rog Some sentences are missing periods as well, but I figure those will not cause you problems. They didn't me. PS I do not know why Amazon insists that this review was from a paperback book. I read _A Lonely Kind of War_ as an ebook on my Kindle.

I have never read or heard very much about forward air controllers until I got this book. The opening chapter is a lesson on multi-tasking as the FAC flying his propeller driven OV - 10 Bronco over a conflict in the jungle of Vietnam directs multiple flights of jets and Huey helicopters to the target while also operating multiple FM and UHF radio frequencies and weapons pods. The first chapter was intense on so many levels with dangers all around but knowing that a small error could cost many lives. Whew. The book continues with the pilot's perspective of the war from above and the incredible lack of sleep this assigment entails. Interesting incidents and action throughout and that incredible little Bronco plane. I highly recommend this non-fiction book by Marshall Harrison in so many ways. I have read many Vietnam war stories and this one stands out not only because this was different, being about FAC's, but it was very well written too! Get it, read it!

A good, comprehensive read about a difficult and demanding job in the Vietnam war by a guy who took his job seriously, but not himself. That makes this book far superior to many others where the authors just try to show off their big nuts. Mr. Harrison, a book well done and well worth reading. It now feel that I have a better understanding and a good impression of your tour as a FAC in Vietnam.

I highly recommend this book, Harrison gives you a deep insight of his year in Vietnam. These FAC pilots were probably the hardest working aviators in the war.

The author gives a frank , personalised account of his war and how he saw it as one guy, alone and vulnerable above the tree tops. His combat descriptions take you there , put you in the cockpit , inverted rolling onto the target ... You are there , low level and alone and managing the chaos from above . Epic read. Don't miss this one . A must have.

whew.... This book is truly a page turner filled with action and a few funny bits here and there that would make anyone laugh out loud specially the bit when an Aussie bronco pilot crash lands "well within Vietnam" and that other time when they tried to flush out the cobra truly made my bell hurt with laughter. this dude worked with MAC-SOG , so that proves he has brass balls . A definite and must read for anyone and everyone.

Fascinating, informative and riveting. This book reads like a war thriller, full of pace an tension. A few morsels of original black humour that only the military world seems to generate give it a great balance. Perfect read for anyone with an interest in military/aviation history. If you enjoyed Chickenhawk, you'll love this.