To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam

by Tom A. Johnson

Book Overview

Helicopter pilots in Vietnam kidded one another about being nothing but glorified bus drivers. But these "rotor heads" saved thousands of American lives while performing what the Army classified as the most dangerous job it had to offer. One in eighteen did not return home.

Tom A. Johnson flew the UH-1 "Iroquois" -- better known as the "Huey" -- in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the First Air Cavalry Division. From June 1967 through...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597970018
• ISBN13: 9781597970013
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Potomac Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.1"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

high school student's POV

so, i thought i'd give the point of view of a young person and my impressions of this book. recently i took an interest in the vietnam war and after seeing most of the vietnam movies out there, i moved onto books. i wasn't sure exactly which aspect of the war i wanted to read about, but from "we were soldiers" i became familiar with the air cavalry and so i picked this book. and i'm so glad i did. i loved it. this is the sort of stuff i wish they'd told me about in school. i think tom johnson did an awesome job of telling his story truthfully but modestly. the book is so real. it wasn't a bunch of watered down garbage (which i've read enough of in high school), it was his story as he remembered it. i saw the pride the air cavalry guys had for their division and how deeply affected they were by the losses of their friends. i saw how the guys emotionally dealt with dangerous missions and their possible deaths, and a lot of the "goings on" of the military. also, this book is crazy intense. especially the chapter about his experience in the a shau valley. my palms were sweaty and everything. if that's not a sign of a good book i don't know what is. overall, i reccommend this book to my peers and my elders alike.

WOW - A Great Read (and I'm a civilian).

I finished your book about a two weeks ago. A totally engrossing read. If you had any question about your success in conveying what it must have been like, you nailed it 100%. I waited a couple of weeks to see let the story sink in before writing as I thought I'd be able to more adequately describe how much I enjoyed the book and to somehow explain just how much impact it had. I find I'm still short of words, so you'll have to accept that as the best compliment I can come up with. You and your fellow aviators have my absolute respect and admiration. I turned the TV on a few days ago to see "Tour of Duty" showing on the History channel. There was a Huey dropping off a bunch of guys! I have not watched that series before and having gained some insight from your book, it is something I can watch with considerably more knowledge, respect and interest. The technical description of how those whirlybirds work and behave is reminiscent of Tom Clancy's writing style in his books that usually involve submarines. In this case, knowing the story is in fact non-fiction adds an entirely new perspective. I'm still struck with the vision of waking up in your tent - a damp, humid, mucky, muddy, steamy cauldron - I could "feel" what you described. I am left with very clear visions of: how you "sanitized" your machine by dipping it in the river; the lesson (and practice) of keeping the nose high during a crash into trees; the emotional toll being separated from a young wife; losing friends; crashes and combat; landing without power! WOW..... I'm still fascinated by the concept of landing a helicopter without power! I'd love to see a video of that. Those things really don't look like gliding is something they do particularly well... That whole auto-rotation thing is hard to accept without actually seeing it work.

Heroes

In Tom Johnson's TO THE LIMIT I have found the true heroes of my generation. In this book, Tom Johnson so vividly gives clarity to the men and women who fought and gave their lives in Vietnam. We can never show our true gratitude for what these people sacrificed for their country. What makes TO THE LIMIT so unique and different from all the many books I have read is that Tom Johnson writes this book from his heart. To write from your heart you must be in touch with your soul. He is a remarkable human being who allows his readers to empathize and share the reality and horrors that the men and women of the Vietnam War lived. Begin reading TO THE LIMIT and you will have a hard time laying it down until it is completed. M. Wayne Seabolt

To The Limit

I got the book and couldn't put it down. I agree with others who have read it, its a helluva of a good book. Tom A. Johnson takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions from awe inspiring to tears to laughter. You certainly come away with respect for the job helicopter pilots did in Viet Nam. An amazing read.

Beyond The Limit

To The Limit is a 1st rate, well written book that shows Helicopter flying at its best. One can learn great insight into the skills required to fly a helicopter, especially in combat. Due to combat situations and other extenuating circumstances, Tom Johnson, his air crews, and the helicopters themselves are pushed "beyond their limits". With great detail Tom Johnson vividly describes many instances from his flight school days through his tour of duty in Vietnam. Some stories are hysterical, including the time mortars are falling all around, while Tom Johnson and others are trying to run from the outhouse to seek cover. Tom's vivid description of combat, death of friends, and others he never knew, gives you a true feel of the intensity of combat. The vivid pictures he describes will cause your heart to race and your palms to sweat.