Speed Is Life, More Is Better

By John M. Scanlan

Speed is Life, More is Better begins with an unknown narrator reminiscing about his former F-18D squadron. Although the story unfolds as the group enforces a NATO no-fly zone imposed over Bosnia in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0975540505
• ISBN13: 9780975540503
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: John M. Scanlan
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Very Interesting Book!

This book shows you a week in the life of a fictional Marine airfighting squadron.The author is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.He also has extensive air combat experience in the "Top Gun" school and also had time in Operation Desert Storm. The flying squadron that is portrayed in this book is enforcing a no=fly zone over Bosnia.This novel show how crew members deal with being members of the squadron.On Monday an unnamed narrator reminisces about his former F-18D squadron.Tuesday and Wednesday shows the emotions felt by the crew members.The crew members are Ghost,Pope,Dago,Joisey,Hick Boy,Spine Ripper,Butt Munch,Hollywood and other members.Thursday has five very tragic events which causes complications for offensive air operations on Friday.The book ends with a where are they now epilogue. This was a well written book on the history of this air squad- ron.Buy this book. You will enjoy reading it.

Authentic, Unsparing Look at Air Combat & Military Life

"Speed is Life, More is Better" rings with authenticity, looking at the daily life of Marine Aviators assigned to combat air patrol over hostile territory. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and believed every moment of what I was reading - from tense standoffs in the air, to bull sessions at chow to dealing with the personalities of your squadronmates. The book swings from suspense to action to personal drama to high humor without missing a beat, and you're right there with the characters the whole way. Throughout, you get the sense that its been written by someone who's spent a lot of time in military aircraft, observing fellow aviators at close quarters. As it turns out, the author was a Marine Aviator, and was shot down over Iraq. He's obviously drawing on his own experience. I learned a lot about the F-18D in this book, and gained new sympathy for the men of Marine Aviation. Like most non-pilots, I always presumed that Fighter pilots and "Backseaters" flew along in air-conditioned comfort with nary a care, and slept peacefully at night in comfortable quarters. By contrast, in "Speed is Life, More is Better", the unit is deployed in a Tent City, set up right next to the runway, flying nonstop day and night missions. The men are tired, saddle sore and frustrated by the rules of engagement and the trivialities that accompany military life. Even so, they're doing their duty, and earning their pay in a tense environment that pushes them and their equipment beyond the breaking point. I felt real fear for the characters' fates, and was particularly struck by an incident near the end of the book that reminded me of a tragedy that occurred in an old unit of mine. This view into this side of Military Life was one I never had before. I think any aviator, history buff or aircraft enthusiast would enjoy the book, and that anyone in the military would empathize with it. As a former enlisted man, I'd recommend it to anyone whose ever been in any branch of service, but also particularly to Cadets at the Service academies and ROTC students. It would open their eyes, and give them a sense for the sacrifices - and the rewards - of real military life. If there's any justice, "Speed is Life, More is Better" should be in every "Stars & Stripes" bookstore, library and PX/BX at every military post in the world.