Vivid, brutal, honest and important.

I first read Chickenhawk in the early 90's. I consumed everything about the Vietnam war. In 1997 I spent 3 weeks in Vietnam and discovered the country behind the war headlines, the beauty of the people, food and culture.
I heard a radio interview with Robert Mason a few days ago. Chickenhawk? I recalled reading the book all those years ago and how it moved me profoundly then. I grew up around military helicopters, my father was a helicopter engineer in the army.
After reading Mason's account of his time in the war, flying the fabled Huey helicopters, the writing still has the same effect. Mason writes with brutal and frank honesty. It is visceral and raw. Death becomes a routine encumbrance, taking hits to the aircraft expected.
A shocking indictment on the folly of war and the madness of a war that cost over 58000 US lives and millions of Vietnamese civilians and combatants.
A sobering book and one I strongly recommend.