- Hardcover: 254 pages
- Publisher: J. B. Lippincott Co; 1st ed. edition (1969)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1299059775
- ISBN-13: 978-1299059771
- ASIN: B0000EEAK9
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 14.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,912,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Book Description
This is the story of a special breed of warrior, the fighter-bomber pilot; the story of valiant men who flew the F-105 Thunderchief `Thud' Fighter-Bomber over the hostile skies of North Vietnam.
From the briefing rooms to the bombing runs, Vice-Wing Commander Colonel Jack Broughton, recounts the tragedy and heartache, the high drama and flaming terror, the exhilaration and thrill of life on the edge. He relives the incredible feeling of high-speed, low-level sorties where SAM missiles, flak and MiGs were all in a day's work. The bravery of the pilots and their commitment to each other in times of extreme fear, crisis and catastrophe are highlighted by vivid, fast moving flying sequences.
Thud Ridge is a fascinating and graphic memorial to the courage of the men, the power of their machines and their dedication to their mission. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the original story of F-105 combat in the Vietnam War. First published in 1969, and unavailable for some years, it is the very outspoken words from one of the leading "Thud" pilots of the time, who clearly had had enough of a thoroughly mismanaged air war. You are right there in the cockpit, he brought a tape recorder on many missions, trying to outsmart SAM's, guns and MiGs. One of the most amazing "saves" ever is related as a KC-135 tanker refuels Broughtons "flamed out" wing man! Jack Broughton followed up in 1988 with "Going Dowtown - the war against Hanoi and Washington". That title nicely sums up "Thud Ridge" as well.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am delighted to see this book reprinted, I searched for a second hand copy for many years and was not disappointed when I finally got hold of one.
I have read most of the pilot accounts of the Vietnam war, and been able to cross reference Jack Broughton's account with those of people who flew with him, this, to my mind is the finest. Only the legendary Pak Six compares, though 100 North and Ed Rasimus's books are very good.
Understandably angry at the political mismanagement of the war and incompetence of many senior 'career' officers, Broughton pulls no punches but backs up his points with sound military arguments, as one would expect from the highly competent deputy leader of an F105 wing.
You really are in the cockpit with him on the missions, perhaps none more telling than the abotive attempt to rescue downed 'Weasel' pilot and Medal of Honor winner Leo Thorsness.
Sadly Jack Broughton fell just short of achieving his target of '105 North in a 105', the USAF court martialled one of their best and destroyed his career, (for protecting two of his pilots who returned fire on a Russian freighter in Haiphong. The USAF acted in just as inept a manner as their failure to put Olds in command of dogfight training on his return from Vietnam, as usual the kiss ass brigade won out.
Going Downtown is also a good read, but very much a retread of Thud Ridge, with the court martial added in.
I have read most of the pilot accounts of the Vietnam war, and been able to cross reference Jack Broughton's account with those of people who flew with him, this, to my mind is the finest. Only the legendary Pak Six compares, though 100 North and Ed Rasimus's books are very good.
Understandably angry at the political mismanagement of the war and incompetence of many senior 'career' officers, Broughton pulls no punches but backs up his points with sound military arguments, as one would expect from the highly competent deputy leader of an F105 wing.
You really are in the cockpit with him on the missions, perhaps none more telling than the abotive attempt to rescue downed 'Weasel' pilot and Medal of Honor winner Leo Thorsness.
Sadly Jack Broughton fell just short of achieving his target of '105 North in a 105', the USAF court martialled one of their best and destroyed his career, (for protecting two of his pilots who returned fire on a Russian freighter in Haiphong. The USAF acted in just as inept a manner as their failure to put Olds in command of dogfight training on his return from Vietnam, as usual the kiss ass brigade won out.
Going Downtown is also a good read, but very much a retread of Thud Ridge, with the court martial added in.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
One of the best books i have ever read about the Vietnam war, it highlights the bravery of the Thunderchief pilots to have to fly time and time again into what was the best defended airspace on the planet at that time and it also highlights the sheer bloody stupidity of letting politicians to run a war. I've got all of Jack Broughtons books and they are all in the " cant put down " category!!!!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Average account of air combat in Vietnam
This is a good book which I thought was going to be the last word on fast jet flying in Vietnam. It's a good book, definitely, but not the be all and end all that I thought it... Read more
Published on 25 Feb 2010 by Siko
Thud Ridge
This book is a very good source of information about the F105 and the Vietnam air war in the beginning years of the conflict. Read more
Published on 19 Oct 2009 by Fabio Buttarelli
Technical detailed account of flying Thuds in Vietnam
This book goes into minute details about the logistics of flying bombing raids over and around Hanoi. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2007 by J. Long
Vietnam War
This is the story of a special breed of warrior, the fighter-bomber pilot; the story of the valiant men who flew the F105 Thunderchief "Thud" Fighter Bomber over the hostile skies... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2005
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > History > North America > Vietnam War
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
