When Thunder Rolled: An F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam
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“YOU CAN ALMOST SMELL THE JET FUEL AND GUNPOWDER. You attack the world’s fiercest defenses at 500 knots and share the ultimate thrill of hurling yourself against almost impossible odds–and winning.
–JACK BROUGHTON, author of Thud Ridge
Ed Rasimus straps the reader into the cockpit of an F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber in his engaging account of the Rolling Thunder campaign in the skies over North Vietnam. Between 1965 and 1968, more than 330 F-105s were lost–the highest loss rate in Southeast Asia–and many pilots were killed, captured, and wounded because of the Air Force’s disastrous tactics. The descriptions of Rasimus’s one hundred missions, some of the most dangerous of the conflict, will satisfy anyone addicted to vivid, heart-stopping aerial combat, as will the details of his transformation from a young man paralyzed with self-doubt into a battle-hardened veteran. His unique perspective, candid analysis, and the sheer power of his narrative rank his memoir with the finest, most entertaining of the war.
“A story that reflects the bravery of the men who flew over enemy territory in a perilous time.”
–The Baltimore Chronicle
“[A] MODERN-DAY RED BADGE OF COURAGE .”
–JOHN DARRELL SHERWOOD, author of Fast Movers: Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience
Look for these remarkable stories of American courage in the Vietnam war
DOWN SOUTH
One Tour in Vietnam
by William H. Hardwick
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Vietnam: A Combat Advisor’s Story
by Martin J. Dockery
MEDIC!
The Story of a Conscientious Objector in the Vietnam War
by Ben Sherman
WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE . . . AND YOUNG
Ia Drang: The Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam
by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway
–JACK BROUGHTON, author of Thud Ridge
Ed Rasimus straps the reader into the cockpit of an F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber in his engaging account of the Rolling Thunder campaign in the skies over North Vietnam. Between 1965 and 1968, more than 330 F-105s were lost–the highest loss rate in Southeast Asia–and many pilots were killed, captured, and wounded because of the Air Force’s disastrous tactics. The descriptions of Rasimus’s one hundred missions, some of the most dangerous of the conflict, will satisfy anyone addicted to vivid, heart-stopping aerial combat, as will the details of his transformation from a young man paralyzed with self-doubt into a battle-hardened veteran. His unique perspective, candid analysis, and the sheer power of his narrative rank his memoir with the finest, most entertaining of the war.
“A story that reflects the bravery of the men who flew over enemy territory in a perilous time.”
–The Baltimore Chronicle
“[A] MODERN-DAY RED BADGE OF COURAGE .”
–JOHN DARRELL SHERWOOD, author of Fast Movers: Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience
Look for these remarkable stories of American courage in the Vietnam war
DOWN SOUTH
One Tour in Vietnam
by William H. Hardwick
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Vietnam: A Combat Advisor’s Story
by Martin J. Dockery
MEDIC!
The Story of a Conscientious Objector in the Vietnam War
by Ben Sherman
WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE . . . AND YOUNG
Ia Drang: The Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam
by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a well-written highly readable book which describes the the author's first tour as a newly qualified F105 pilot flying in the Air campaign against North Vietnam. Rasimus is a very rare breed - a gifted fighter pilot who is both eloquent and modest, and who doesn't carry the chip on his shoulder which mars many similar accounts. This book, which successfully captures the quintessence of life on a fast jet squadron and all the thrills and spills of combat flying, is a must read for anyone with an interest in military aviation. It is without doubt a real classic which in my opinion is the definitive work on the F105 during the Vietnam War.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
(This review also applies to the author's subsequent book "Palace Cobra")
I am not a pilot but have always been interested in military aviation and aviation history. I've read many accounts of the exploits of air force pilots in numerous conflicts; what makes this book stand out is first the author's ability to write in a lucid and entertaining manner, but more importantly his presentation, whether it is intended or not, of himself as essentially a regular guy. Col Rasimus is without a doubt an authentic hero, a courageous man and a very talented pilot, but this is what the reader concludes - the author doesnt emphasise it or imply it. Instead, in the first book there is much talk about his fear ahead of going into action for the first time - something that I imagine we could all indentify with - and then the efforts he makes to stay the course and ultimately produce great results. It is an impressive journey, not to mention one that inspires.
The author did his duty in what was one of the most hazardous environments in aviation history, and communicates well what was involved from a human standpoint. The description of his encounter with a Mig-17 (in the second book, Palace Cobra) is thrilling, one really gets a great insight into the adrenaline that must have been running through him in the lead-up to the encounter.
I would like to have seen him elaborate more on some of the more controversial incidents - ones that he suggests he disagrees with - for example when his patrol leader crossed the border into China simply because he wanted to encounter Migs. What did Col Rasimus think about this deep down, and did he raise the issue with anyone?
No matter how many books one has read about military aviation, or the VietNam war, one simply must read these two books by Col Rasimus. They are excellent. My deepest respect and admiration to him.
I am not a pilot but have always been interested in military aviation and aviation history. I've read many accounts of the exploits of air force pilots in numerous conflicts; what makes this book stand out is first the author's ability to write in a lucid and entertaining manner, but more importantly his presentation, whether it is intended or not, of himself as essentially a regular guy. Col Rasimus is without a doubt an authentic hero, a courageous man and a very talented pilot, but this is what the reader concludes - the author doesnt emphasise it or imply it. Instead, in the first book there is much talk about his fear ahead of going into action for the first time - something that I imagine we could all indentify with - and then the efforts he makes to stay the course and ultimately produce great results. It is an impressive journey, not to mention one that inspires.
The author did his duty in what was one of the most hazardous environments in aviation history, and communicates well what was involved from a human standpoint. The description of his encounter with a Mig-17 (in the second book, Palace Cobra) is thrilling, one really gets a great insight into the adrenaline that must have been running through him in the lead-up to the encounter.
I would like to have seen him elaborate more on some of the more controversial incidents - ones that he suggests he disagrees with - for example when his patrol leader crossed the border into China simply because he wanted to encounter Migs. What did Col Rasimus think about this deep down, and did he raise the issue with anyone?
No matter how many books one has read about military aviation, or the VietNam war, one simply must read these two books by Col Rasimus. They are excellent. My deepest respect and admiration to him.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
An excellent book about the F105, the Air War in North Vietnam and above all a beautiful book about Fighter Pilots
From the point of view of simple LT just out from the flying school describes in a detailed way what the life with the F105 was in Korat Thailand.
This book will bring you in the cockpit during a route-six mission.
It will tell you the tactics, it will make you feel the thrill, the fears on one of the best plane that fought in North Vietnam
But above all the author will explain what a real fighter pilot is.
From the point of view of simple LT just out from the flying school describes in a detailed way what the life with the F105 was in Korat Thailand.
This book will bring you in the cockpit during a route-six mission.
It will tell you the tactics, it will make you feel the thrill, the fears on one of the best plane that fought in North Vietnam
But above all the author will explain what a real fighter pilot is.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
When Thunder Rolled: An F-105 Pilot over North Vietnam
A very interesting read if a little overlong.
If you like reading about aircraft in combat this book should be on your bedside table!
If you like reading about aircraft in combat this book should be on your bedside table!
Published 19 days ago by Mr. Stephen Barnes
Thundering, terrifying, yet exhilarating action from cover to cover
I've always been interested in the military aviation action of the Vietnam War. I suppose it stems from my being old enough (early teens) at its begining to be able to understand... Read more
Published 1 month ago by DAVEYB
An alternative view to 'Thud Ridge'
The Vietnam air war seen by someone who went there with the idea of doing one mission and asking to go home... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Xmusman
great read
A great read for anyone with an interest in military aviation or military history in general. Ed Rasimus gives a teriffic insight into the air war over North Veitnam. Read more
Published 11 months ago by buttsy
When thunder rolled
Excellent first hand account of an F105 pilot in the Vietnam war. Great read,very factual and one i found hard to put down. Read more
Published 11 months ago by FINTANKON
Maybe that should be a 'Five'
Students of air warfare in general and the southeast Asian theatre of the middle of the last century in particular will most likely find this, 'When Thunder Rolled' and the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Michael Enright
fantastic read
Ed Rasimus brings home the danger, the courage and the proffesionalism of the pilots of the USAF in Vietnam on fighter bomber missions flying the F105 "THUD" fighter bomber. Read more
Published 16 months ago by royboy1952
When Thunder Rolled
Very readable, moves at a good speed and gives the reader an accurate picture of the situation in which a newly qualified pilot found himself and how quickly he had to learn to... Read more
Published on 10 Aug 2009 by Mr. Alfred C. Ostler
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