Listmania!
Great Aviation books
By an Amazon.com customer
A Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller, VietnamA Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller, Vietnam by Marshall Harrison
Buy used from: $1.89
You must read this book. Simple as that. One of the best I've ever read, about one of the bravest warriors I've ever come across. My admiration for Marshall Harrison is limitless.
Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in VietnamDa Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam by Col. Tom Yarborough
Buy used from: $2.49
Read this. Courage, honour, dedication. I cannot convey my admiration for Covey 221 properly in words. The phrase "Big Brass Ones" was invented for this man and those like him. This book is brilliant.
Once A Fighter PilotOnce A Fighter Pilot by Jerry Cook
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $4.18
One of the best books I've ever read. Jerry Cook gives a fantastic insight into the life of a fighter pilot. Humour, terror, excitement. It's all here!
Lancaster targetLancaster target by Jack Currie
Buy used from: $38.57
Jack Currie's account of a WW2 from the cockpit of a Lancaster. This is one of my favourite books of all time. Self depricating, funny and exciting. Makes you feel very humble. Excellent.
Sea Harrier Over the Falklands (Cassell Military Paperbacks)Sea Harrier Over the Falklands (Cassell Military Paperbacks) by Sharkey Ward
Buy used from: $2.89
One of the finest accounts of modern air combat you will ever read. Sharkey Ward brings you into the fight in the cockpit of one of the most undervalued but invaluable assets in the Fleet Air Arm. If you want an objective view on the RAF's participation in the Falklands conflict (the Black Buck raids to be specific) the, Commander Ward puts their value in crystal clear context!
Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam 1965-1972Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam 1965-1972 by Marshall L. III Michel
Buy used from: $12.42
An awesome compendium of air to air engagements during the Vietnam war. Clinical and to the point and a magnificent reference book. I've read it twice already.
When Thunder Rolled: An F-105 Pilot Over North VietnamWhen Thunder Rolled: An F-105 Pilot Over North Vietnam by Ed Rasimus
Buy new: $27.95 / Used from: $5.95
Must read. Awesome account of air war over Vietnam.
Fate is the HunterFate is the Hunter by Ernest K. Gann
Buy new: $10.80 / Used from: $2.45
Anyone thinking of getting into aviation should read this. Required reading.
CHEATING DEATHCHEATING DEATH by Marrett G
Buy new: $27.95 / Used from: $2.70
Think you know someone with balls of steel? You might think again after reading this.
War For the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of VietnamWar For the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of Vietnam by Ed Cobleigh
Buy used from: $0.01
A very honest view of air war in Vietnam and a great read.
Apache: Inside the Cockpit of the World's Most Deadly Fighting MachineApache: Inside the Cockpit of the World's Most Deadly Fighting Machine by Ed Macy
Buy new: $16.50 / Used from: $12.25
I read this in a day, well a long haul flight to Tokyo. I couldn't have had better company. This is an amazing book. The very definition of a page turner. Honest, funny, gritty and exhilarating. The section dealing with the attempted rescue of the Royal Marine at the end is simply unreal. Big Brass Ones all round and the best book I've read this year.
100 Missions North: A Fighter Pilot's Story of the Vietnam War100 Missions North: A Fighter Pilot's Story of the Vietnam War by Ken Bell
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $8.88
Fabulous first hand account of a Fighter Pilots lie in Vietnam. Very highly recommended.
ChickenhawkChickenhawk by Robert Mason
Buy new: $10.88 / Used from: $6.09
If you only ever read one book about helicopter pilots, make it this one.
First LightFirst Light by Geoffrey Wellum
Buy new: $17.13 / Used from: $13.25
This reads as if you're sitting with Mr Wellum as he recounts his tales of flying Spitfires in the Battle ot Briatin and beyond. Cannot recommend it highly enough. A wonderful book.
Vipers in the Storm: Diary of a Gulf War Fighter PilotVipers in the Storm: Diary of a Gulf War Fighter Pilot by Keith Rosenkranz
Buy new: $12.78 / Used from: $2.06
A very honest and personal account of what it was like over the front lines in Desert Storm. Most highly recommended.
First In, Last Out: Stories by The Wild WeaselsFirst In, Last Out: Stories by The Wild Weasels by The Society Of Wild Weasels
Buy new: $26.55 / Used from: $19.27
A book by Weasels, for Weasels about Weasels. Definitive. Excellent. Enough said.
Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs (General Aviation)Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs (General Aviation) by Steve Davies
Buy new: $17.13 / Used from: $15.00
This book I can only describe as magical. To be given insight into one of the most amazing programs undertaken in military history is nothing short of a rare treat. These guys had one of the best jobs in flying, period. What they did was amazing. The maitainers, my hats off to them, the things they had to do to keep them flying. Simply incredible. Read it in less than 2 days.
Strike Eagle: Flying the F-15E in the Gulf WarStrike Eagle: Flying the F-15E in the Gulf War by William L. Smallwood
Buy used from: $0.71
A very well written and researched account of the USAF's brand new fighter (at the time) and the trials of bringing it to war. Great flying accounts, you'll almost feel like a Strike Eagle WSO!
To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in VietnamTo the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam by Tom A. Johnson
Buy new: $19.67 / Used from: $16.54
Alright this doesn't quite beat Chickenhawk but comes oh so close. A white knuckle ride alongside Tom Johnson in the skies of Vietnam. The first few chapters of this book had my heart pumping as I read them. A fabulous read. Recommended to anyone with an interest in helicopters, war, flying, guts, sheer will and determination. Awesome.
Sierra Hotel: Flying Air Force Fighters in the Decade After VietnamSierra Hotel: Flying Air Force Fighters in the Decade After Vietnam by C. R. Anderegg
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $15.97
Another great read about Vietnam's air war. Reccommended.
Black Aces High: The Story of a Modern Fighter Squadron at WarBlack Aces High: The Story of a Modern Fighter Squadron at War by Robert K. Wilcox
Buy used from: $0.01
Anyone who like Tomcats will love this. Anyone who likes military aviation will love this. Great read.
Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh TrailBury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Rick Newman
Buy used from: $2.91
Misty Fast FAC's and their story. A very interesting read about these aviators who hung it all out there over Pack 1.
Wings of Fury: From Vietnam to the Gulf War -- The Astonishing, True Stories of America's Elite Fighter PilotsWings of Fury: From Vietnam to the Gulf War -- The Astonishing, True Stories of America's Elite Fighter Pilots by Robert K. Wilcox
Buy used from: $0.01
A great read, some great accounts of air to air fighting in modern aircraft.
Feet Wet: Reflections of a Carrier Pilot (Schiffer Military History)Feet Wet: Reflections of a Carrier Pilot (Schiffer Military History) by Paul T. Gillcrist
Buy new: $21.86 / Used from: $5.85
Paul Gilchrist recounts many funny, tragic and exciting tales of Naval Aviation.
North Star over My Shoulder: A Flying LifeNorth Star over My Shoulder: A Flying Life by Bob Buck
Buy used from: $1.97
An interesting account of an interesting career in aviation.
Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War (Potomac Books' The Warriors series)Warthog: Flying the A-10 in the Gulf War (Potomac Books' The Warriors series) by William L. Smallwood
Buy new: $8.95 / Used from: $4.29
Another very good Gulf War read.
Scream of Eagles: The Dramatic Account of the U.S. Navy's Top Gun Fighter Pilots and How They Took Back the Skies Over VietnamScream of Eagles: The Dramatic Account of the U.S. Navy's Top Gun Fighter Pilots and How They Took Back the Skies Over Vietnam by Robert K. Wilcox
Buy new: $7.50 / Used from: $0.87
Anyone with an interest in military aviation should read this fabulous account of the guys that basically created Top Gun.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat: Bye - Bye Baby...!: Images & Reminiscences From 35 Years of Active ServiceGrumman F-14 Tomcat: Bye - Bye Baby...!: Images & Reminiscences From 35 Years of Active Service by Dave Parsons
Buy new: $26.40 / Used from: $9.00
A must for Tomcat fans. Full of glorious quotes from pilots RIOs photographers..... and my favourite..... Oooooooh Basic! You'll have to read it to get it.
Anytime, Baby! Hail and Farewell to the U.S. Navy F-14 TomcatAnytime, Baby! Hail and Farewell to the U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat by Erik Hildebrandt
Buy new: $32.97 / Used from: $71.52
Tomcats rule. This book rules. Awesome pictures by a top shooter. Cheers Eric!