Chickenhawk

by Robert Mason
Chickenhawk cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7243
  • Added: 2025-12-13
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9780552124195
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 1984-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Chickenhawk offers a raw and unflinching account of Robert Mason's year in Vietnam, where he flew over 1,000 assault missions. The book provides a unique perspective on the war, capturing the escalating terror and the desperate courage of those involved. Mason's personal journey is a powerful exploration of the human experience in the midst of chaos and insanity. /n/n Written with vivid detail and emotional depth, Chickenhawk is not just a war memoir but a profound reflection on the cost of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Mason's honest and compelling narrative makes this a must-read for anyone interested in military history and personal accounts of conflict.

Reviews
Chris Lee Francis' Blog · Chris Lee Francis · 2025-12-13
honest 4.50

The book is well-written and honest about the realities of war and its impact on lives. It's a great book that doesn't shy away from the truth.

Chris Lee Francis praises the book for its well-written narrative and its honest portrayal of the realities of war. The review highlights the book's ability to convey the lies and justifications that often accompany war, as well as its devastating impact on the lives of those involved. Francis appreciates the book's unflinching honesty, which makes it a powerful and thought-provoking read. They note that the book is not just a story about war, but also a commentary on the human condition and the ways in which war can shatter lives. Francis found the book to be a great read, one that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

Quick quotes

    This is a great book. Well written, and necessarily honest about the realities of war, the lies required to justify it, and its ability to shatter the lives of ...

    It's a powerful and thought-provoking read.

    The book is not just a story about war, but also a commentary on the human condition.

History Guild · 2025-12-13
devastating 4.50

The book is a devastating account of men at war, capturing the extremes of courage and cowardice, boredom and exhilaration. It's not a book for the faint-hearted.

The History Guild emphasizes the book's unflinching portrayal of the war experience, highlighting its raw and honest depiction of the human condition in combat. The review notes the book's ability to capture the full spectrum of emotions and experiences, from the mundane to the extraordinary. It's a book that doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of war, making it a powerful and sometimes harrowing read. The Guild appreciates the book's ability to convey the lasting friendships and sudden deaths that are integral to the war experience. They note that this is not a book for the faint-hearted, but for those who seek a genuine understanding of war.

Quick quotes

    It is a devastating account of men at war, of courage and cowardice, boredom and exhilaration, lasting friendship and sudden death.

    It is not a book for weak stomachs.

    It's a powerful and sometimes harrowing read.

Rob Knipe's Blog · Rob Knipe · 2017-03-07
thought-provoking 4.00

The book impressively portrays the rigors of pilot life and offers a perspective rarely considered. It's a gripping account that keeps the reader engaged.

Rob Knipe highlights the book's ability to vividly depict the challenges faced by pilots, offering a unique and compelling narrative. The start of the book is particularly impressive, providing insights into the daily struggles and triumphs of those in the air. Knipe appreciates the raw and honest portrayal of war, which adds depth and authenticity to the story. The book's pacing and narrative flow make it a gripping read, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Knipe found the book to be a powerful and thought-provoking account of the Vietnam War, one that leaves a lasting impact.

Quick quotes

    The start isn't bad by any means, it's impressive to see what pilots go through, and it's something I'd never even thought about.

    It's a gripping account that keeps the reader engaged.

    The book's narrative flows naturally as the author speaks.

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