A Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller, Vietnam

by Marshall Harrison and HARRISON MARSHALL

Book Overview

Forward air controllers fought a tension-filled, three-dimensional war in Vietnam, quite literally running the air war on the battlefield where they coordinated all air strikes. It was a dangerous life as they flew low and slow, always a prime target for enemy small arms fire.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891413529
• ISBN13: 9780891413523
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Presidio Press
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Definitive Book on the FAC

I cannot count how many times I've read this book. A very well written account of the making of a forward air controller (FAC) and his tour of duty in Vietnam. This book is filled with non-stop aerial combat interspersed with wit and humor. I swear you can hear the engines, the explosions, the radio chatter and the myriad sounds of aerial combat. This is the definitive book on the FAC. Harrison's vividly writes about the inter-service rivalries, fighter pilot and elite unit culture. Vietnam had them all, from the ticket punchers to the true professionals, the "conscientious objectors" to the patriots, balls-out young men and know it alls, politicians and name dropers, clowns and cowboys, the scared and all too brave. Harrison's seen and flown with all of them. You will not put this book down once you start reading it. Harrison will hold you in suspense screaming, laughing and dying over and over. You will read it again and again in between browsing the web about the FAC and that "war" fought on the other side of the fence in Laos. How good is this book? I have seen precious copies churned out of copier machines circulating with pilots of the Philippine Air Force, 15th Strike Wing, one of the few users of the OV-10 Bronco in combat in the 21st century. This book should be made into a movie.

Very good read.

This is the second Harrison book I've read. Because the first is so good (Cadillac Flight), I bought this one and wasn't disapointed.Well written and very believable, the reader feasts the FAC view of the war. I suspect most Vietnam readers know about FACs from other documentaries, as they always seem to be present in battle. This book satisfies the who were they, what did they do questions, in a big way.The FAC pilots were warriors in every sense of the word.

simply excellent - both in style and content

This has to be one of the best books on combat aviation in Viet Nam. I've read a lot of book about this subject, but Harrison's ability to describe the life of a Forward Air Controller left me wishing that he had put more in print. There is almost a kinship that develops during the book - you share the sweat and I have seen no one else write about aerial manuevers as vividly. His style sems to assume that the reader has a basic understanding of aviation; he gives vivid descriptions of flight without excessive digression to explain the manuevers. I won't loan this book to anyone.Buy it.

One of the most entertaining book on the Vietnam War.

After having read at least 50 "true story" books on various aspects of the Vietnam War, this one rates as one of the best. It is very entertaining and gripping. Harrison weaves a good story and his accounts of what he did are incredible. Dont let the title fool you. I put this book way in the back of my book shelf for over a year, thinking it would be boring as the title suggests. Was i wrong! Its a must read for anybody interested in first person accounts of the war. His accounts of bravery and courage while under extreme pressure while, facing enemy fire are so exciting, it will leave you wishing that the book never ends.

As a SOG member, I found it accurate, well written, and TRUE

I served with SOG in many capacities. Responsible for getting OV-10s into the mission while at NKP RTAFB in 1969 - 70. Marshall's description of flight had me sweating profusely, while flying at low level, directing air strikes and tying to help the recon teams on the ground. Out of CCN, we added a "back seater" to take some of the stress off the pilot. His description of the young SF captain throwing a hand grenade in the bunker was hilarious. I can picture it as if I was there. I knew Marshall personally, and he was a big man, not only physically, but in heart and character as well. While he was on the ground overnight in Cambodia, he demonstrated courage, skill and determination. He was one of "America's Best" in the truest sense of the word. Marshal did a fine job of weaving the true story of a Forward Air Controller, his relationships with the ground recon teams and missions. He also provided a bit of humor to a great book.