Blue Max: Missions & Memories Paperback – October 5, 2006

What an amazing and well written book that I found to be particularly meaningful to me. I was an F4 Phantom driver (USAF) based at Cam Ranh Bay AB, Vietnam, during 1966-67 and as a fighter pilot my combat experiences were exciting but far different from that of the helicopter pilots so well described by the author, N. G. Brown. Although I always had great respect for our helicopter pilots in Vietnam I never knew much about how they lived, trained or conducted combat operations. As I read Blue Max I was profoundly moved by the way the words drew me into the helicopter pilots world. I felt as if I was right there in the cockpit on every mission described. The unique way that Mr. Brown is able to described his experiences ranging from periods of stark terror to hilariously humorous moments is truly remarkable. For me, this book has given me better understanding and appreciation for America's helicopter combat warriors. This book would make an outstand movie if produced as it is written. I highly recommend this book, it was a joy to read.

Glen Brown is from my hometown, and although I have never had the pleasure of meeting him, I really enjoyed the book. I am close to his age, and would have gone to Vietnam, had it not been for the military turning me down due to medical reasons. I remembered some of the events he wrote about from news casts of the time, and also the names of some of the places where he was. Great read! Like being in the cockpit along with him.

Blue Max Missions and Memories, is an amazing and well-written book that is particularly meaningful to me because the author and I served together in the same unit and sometimes we were on the same aircraft. I was already in the unit when Mr. Brown arrived in my Charlie Battery 2nd Battalion 20th Artillery (ARA) of the 1st Calvary Division. That was in 1968 and I was still there when Mr. Brown left for the sates in 1969.My tour in Vietnam, November 1967 until June 1969 differed from Mr. Brown because I was an enlisted soldier. My story can be read about in `Empty Tubes And Back Seat Memories'.I always had great respect for helicopter pilots in Vietnam. As I read 'Blue Max Missions and Memories', I found myself profoundly moved. Mr. Brown's words drew me into that helicopter world that I lived so many years ago. His book was the first book about Vietnam that I could not put down until I was finished. Was it that I was there with Mr. Brown during many of these missions, his use of words he used, or something else, I cannot tell you the answer to that. Some books are too graphic, so I cannot read them. I felt as if I was right there in the helicopter on every mission described. The way that Mr. Brown was able to described his experiences of terror one moment and hilariously humorous moments the next is truly the way it was for me while I was in the unit. For me, this book opened the door for me to write about my tour as an enlisted man. During my 1967-1969 tour, I served in I Corps, II Corps and finished my tour in III Corps.Mr. Brown's book was the first book about Vietnam that I was not able to put down until I finished reading it from cover to cover. I was riveted to his story. Because of his book and his mentoring, I was able to put some of my personal thoughts to paper in my own words in `Empty Tubes and Back Seat Memories'  Empty Tubes and Back Seat Memories: A Life Changing Experience .I highly recommend Mr. Browns book for readers who would like to know what it was like to be a helicopter pilot.

I have read many good books about Vietnam over the years. In fact there was a time when I was 'chain smoking' them so to speak. Blue Max is as well written, informative, and interesting as any I've read. I especially like the short story style that you can enjoy any time you have a few minutes. I also enjoy the subtle humor that shows N.G. kept his head and character even when the world around him was falling apart. If you like real history written in a way you can see, hear, and taste it, this is your book.

A well-written, informative recounting of the author's experience as a Cobra and Huey B-model gunship pilot with the 1st Cav in 1968. I liked that he told exciting tales without resorting to theatrics, and with considerable humility. (He share's with us that his first aviation platoon thought he was a poor pilot.)Mr. (he was a warrant officer) Brown makes two points I found interesting and true from my own experience in 1967 with a 1st Aviation Brigade unit just below the Iron Triangle:1. Medals for heroism are often awarded for actions because someone was there to witness them and lived to make the recommendation. As a close friend there liked to remind me (we were both awarded the Bronze Star "V"), there were doubtless many actions equal to or exceeding our own that were never recognized because no on witnessed them or lived to make a recommendation.2. Although during my 1967 tour I thought all the heavy action was up in I Corps, Mr. Brown reports that with his move to III Corps in May, 1968, he encountered more action than earlier in I Corps. This is proabably because Quan Loi was close to the Cambodian border (and the infiltration wrote through Loc Ninh and An Loc)and because post-Tet (January, 1968), the NVA moved into III Corps to replace the Phu Loi Battalion and other VC units decimated during the Tet fighting.The only quibble I had with the book were the underlined (often hyper-patriotic) quotes at the end of each chapter. I found their content and underlining an unneccessary distraction from the stories themselves, which needed no further embellishment.

A great read. A Huey Cobra pilot's memories through flight school and combat in Vietnam. Brown had an adventurous tour of duty and relates it in a well written account. Those of us who have benefited from fire support from the Cobras will cherish this work indeed.