Runway Visions: An American C-130 Pilot's Memoir of Combat Airlift Operations in Southeast Asia, 1967-1968

Book Description

In February 1967, Air Force Lieutenant Vaughan arrived at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taiwan to begin 14 months as a C-130 Hercules pilot facing combat conditions airlifting supplies and troops throughout Southeast Asia. Among his most harrowing duties was the aerial resupply of the Marine base at Khe Sanh during the most intense action of the Tet Offensive.

Customer Reviews:

A rare airlifter's memoir of SE Asia.......2005-07-03

Runway Visions is the appropriately titled story of Captain Vaughan's experiences and "bringing up" as a C-130 aviator in Southeast Asia from February 1967 to April 1968, from a newly ordained aircraft commander (AC) at Dyess AFB to "new guy" novitiate in the right seat, progressing to the left seat as AC with a crew, and both seats as an instructor pilot, to check out the "new guys". Early in his fifteen-month tour, he is introduced to the harrowing landing required of An Khe Golf Course, relieved by the construction of a new runway nearby (An Khe Main), then back to the dread of the Golf Course when the new runway is closed for further improvement. Missions to Khe Sanh during his tour are described, the crew's Christmas dinner at the chow hall providing signs of the future siege.
Airlift operations during this time in that part of the world have been little documented, so this journal of a C-130 pilot is a welcome addition to the literature of military aviation for the period. Most pilots seem to have the most vivid impressions of their landing strips, regardless of time, place, or aircraft flown, and this book would be welcomed by many, especially those who know that runways are not always straight and level, or paved and lighted. Perhaps it would prove an awakening for those who don't, and should, as well.

Very good - if you are into C-130 stuff........2003-06-20

I bought this book because I am going into the Air Force Reserves as a C-130 pilot. I, of course, found it very interesting and informative, but I don't think I would recommend it to any non-pilots and would hesitate to recommend it to a non-airlift military pilot. A lot of people would find the topics he discusses very boring as compared to a fighter or bomber type memoir book. Nevertheless, I thought the stories he told were awesome - he talks about almost every mission the Hercules performs - hauling mail, booze, troops, dead bodies, ammo, and medical litters of injured troops. He also details the short-field capability of the C-130 flying into all of those fields in 'Nam. There are several hair-raising stories that he depicts where they are supplying the Marines at Khe Sahn during Tet and others where he is landing in bad weather, runways with craters, dirt strips, etc. He also mixes up the book with some details of the social life in Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines (he parallels the airlifting stories with stories about a chick he "hangs out" with in Bangkok.)

Anyway, I thought it was a great read, but I doubt most folks would think so unless they were very into the C-130 - like me.

A "must buy".......2002-03-07

I found David Kirk Vaughan's book about his experiences as an airlift pilot in Vietnam impossible to put down. His descriptions of action in and out of the cockpit are done such that they are very easy to understand, even if one is not a pilot. Yet, even the experienced military aviator will find some intriguing action there for him too.

Vaughan's description of landing at the "golf course" is but one example. Written in such a manner that the novice can appreciate the extreme difficulty of such a task, an aviator will nearly be in disbelief, especially after seeing the landing strip in one of the several photos that the author took during his tour and which are included in the book.

Of course there is plenty of action outside the cockpit, too. Again, I found Vaughan's descriptions superb as he related his travels throughout Thailand, Vietnam, the Phillipines and back "home" in Taiwan.

If one wishes to have a better understanding of the life of a military transport pilot or to have a record of Vietnam war airlift action, then this is a must buy!

An air transport pilot comes of age in the Viet Nam war.......1999-04-24

Runway Visions is a memoir of a young pilot who volunteers to go to SE Asia and fly Hercules C-130 supply missions during the Viet Nam war.

David Vaughan tells a compelling tale, one that haunts me. It is not a story full of heroic rescues, though there is a little of that. It is the tale of a man looking back at himself and trying to make sense of what he did and saw. He holds little back.A difficult book to describe, but one that this reader found very satisfying. One of the best books I have read in a long time.

Average customer rating:
Runway Visions: An American C-130 Pilot's Memoir of Combat Airlift Operations in Southeast Asia, 1967-1968
David Kirk Vaughan
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MU92RA

Book Description

"My name is Suzanne Giroux. My father traded his life for mine . . . and I chose to live. This is my story."

So begins the story of Suzanne Giroux. Born on the border between Quebec and Ontario, she lives her life walking a fine line between life and death. At the age of 24, Suzanne discovers a lump in her breast that turns out to be breast cancer, and she begins a struggle to maintain her sanity and her health. She tells of two miscarriages; her fiancé, the man of her dreams, falling in a construction accident and being reduced to a vegetative state; the man she finally does marry becoming abusive, indifferent, an alcoholic and an adulterer; and the return of her cancer after an operation to remove it fails. Rushing to her side, her distraught father tells her that he would give anything to trade places with her, to take her cancer into his body so she could be healthy. And then he is diagnosed with cancer as well.

But not all is dark. On vacation, she meets a doctor who suggests she try to qualify for the drug Herceptin, which stops the growth of tumors in breast cancer and sometimes even shrinks them. Giroux begins the treatments, but as she gets better, her father becomes worse, and she loses him at the same time her marriage falls apart.

Today Giroux makes appearances talking about how the Herceptin drug has helped her overcome cancer. Giroux has chosen to live, and the forces of her life have come together to make that happen.

Book Description

Kids living with diabetes face a world of challenges, and yet, there are few things they can't do. This book is packed full of tips that kids have sent to Spike and Bo, authors of Getting a Grip on Diabetes for Kids and Teens. Tips cover everything from playing sports to accidents to hormones. Plus, there's an entire section on insulin pumps and what it's like to go on one.

Customer Reviews:

great information.......2007-09-22

This is a worthwhile purchase, it answers a lot of questions. It is easy to read and would recommend it to new and experienced diabetic patiets and parents and friends and families.

Good..but for adults.......2007-08-04

This is a good book with interesting tips and ideas for teens and college age kids. While the book does deal with the topic of drinking and insulin, it is not in a "lush/Greek chug" kind of manner. I don't recall anything about pot in there (especially in it being OK) but I would agree that it is more of an adult read. Once you have read it,then pick what you want to discuss with your children about the ideas from the book. It is a realistic look at how teens and college kids handle life with diabetes. While you may dream and hope your child never wants to touch alcohol in college, will dilligently change out their sites and watch their BG levels, we all know that in the end they are all possibly forgotten when having fun with friends, under the stress of finals or what not. This book helps you prep them and yourself for ways around these scenarios and how to deal with them. Better to be informed than in the dark.

Really Cool is Really Good.......2007-01-26

This excellent book has been a mine of information for both my adult daughter and my three year old grand-daughter. Both of whom are insulin dependent diabetics. Although some of the tips are specifically aimed at Americans, or those with insulin pumps, the main thrust of the book is for all diabetics and their families.

Gave me hope.......2006-12-29

As the parent of 4-year old recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes I was unsure of what her life would be like. This book gave me great hope that she will be able to live a very normal life. I found it very encouraging. Yes, all kids make mistakes and most make some un-wise choices. The Loy brothers are no exception and I found it interesting to see how they handled some normal teen situations. The Loy brothers are my heros and I hope my daughter is able to live her life to it's fullest like they are.

Lame.......2006-12-20

This book is not worth the money. Many tips are not helpful. These boys actually said they were excited to increase their number of daily injections so they could save more used syringes. That stuff is medical waste, get rid of it!! I would not recommend it to any age group.

Book Description

This social and historical exploration traces the history of sugarcane from its home in New Guinea to Shakespeare's England. Fascinating sugar lore and anecdotes are included, such as how Queen Elizabeth I became so partial to hippocras (mulled wine), sugared almonds, and pastilles that her teeth turned completely black. Explored are the political and sociological impacts of sugar on the world and the tremendous riches available to the unscrupulous few who grew and sold it. The days of manual processing are described, when fortunes were built on the backbreaking labor of slaves. The resulting wars and geopolitical shifts that have shaped the modern world are discussed in detail.

Customer Reviews:

An evenhanded introduction to an important food.......2006-11-11

It isn't easy to find books about sugar that do not grind an ax, usually antisugar, but not always. Peter Macinnis's little book -- hardly more than an extended essay, really -- avoids this error, with wit and flair.

Sugar cane has been around for perhaps 9,000 years as a cultivated crop, and sugarmaking not nearly so long. Macinnis rightly concentrates on the past 400 years, when sugar broke out into the world. It is now produced, from cane or beet, in more than 100 countries.

One fault of this book is that it does not make clear how very important sugar remains, especially in the diets of poorer people. The very poor do not eat sugar, but as soon as people rise above semistarvation, one of the first things they do is buy sugar. Sugar supplies nearly 10% of calories worldwide. To Americans, who worry about their waistlines, this may seem like a bad thing. But calories are inadequate in the diets of hundreds of millions of people. Sugar is excellent food.

Sugar growing and manufacturing, however, has not been excellent. Cane does not lend itself to small farming -- for one thing, in the best sugar areas, it is a two-year crop. This means plantations, and plantations usually mean exploitation of labor. In cane's case, slavery. Not always, however. Hawaii's sugar labor is the highest-paid agricultural labor in the world. But there's not much of it. Sugar today can be highly mechanized, but in much of the world labor is still cheaper than machines.

There is an enormous historical literature on sugar and slavery. Not much of it is easy reading and most of it assumes background information that most readers don't have. 'Bittersweet' is the best general introduction to sugar I have seen, fair and fairly sophisticated. Unlike, say, Mintz's book, mentioned in an earlier review.

Lively and engrossing history of the social impact of sugar.......2004-08-08

This is a wonderfully interesting and engrossing history of a major food crop filled with interesting details concerning people and events. Although Peter Macinnis traces the story of sugar from its origins in New Guinea through to the 20th century, he does so in a very entertaining rather than comprehensive way. As such, this is a good introduction, but will leave the reader with many questions unanswered.

The subtitle, The Story of Sugar could really have been The Story of Sugar and Slavery since, according to the author, this form of forced labor has been so integral to the success of the crop. In fact I am sure that the "Bitter" half of the title is a reference to slavery. Macinnis states that not only the institution of slavery, but also the global politics of Colonialism, has its foundation in the global production of sugar.

So as you can see, the world as we know it has to a large extent been molded by the story of sugar. Thus this book, or some other like it, is important reading for a good understanding of modern world history. Being an Australian gives the author just enough distance from the European and American sugar empires to tell the story with a balanced and somewhat objective point of view.

The book is illustrated with black-and-white maps and each chapter ends with a historic sugar recipe. There is a two page glossary of terms related to sugar production as well as a seven page bibliography of further readings. There are no footnotes to break the narrative.
This is a great introduction to the story of one of the most important cash crops in world history.

Bittersweet is missing something.......2004-05-06

This is decent popular social history. However, I find it amazing that Macinnis has failed to acknowledge or reference the brilliant 1985 work on this same subject by anthropologist Sidney Mintz: Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History. How could he have missed this book in doing his research?

Bittersweet History.......2004-04-02

Macinnis has written the exhaustive history of sugar cultivation and trade. I doubt anyone could do the job as well. His blend of fact and humour make for fascinating reading that rarely bogs down. Definitely a book to read, even for diabetics like myself!

Well researched.......2003-12-21

This book is well researched and takes a careful look at the history of sugar throughout the ages. Unfortunately the writer gets sidetracked into detailing the history of slavery as well and, while admitting that the development and success of sugar plantations in the West Indies is inextricably linked with slavery, the book would have been better if it had been more tightly focussed on the primary topic.

The most interesting aspect of the book to me was that it was Australia-centric, rather than having a mind-set based on either American or English history. It's good to be reminded once in a while that there are other countries publishing books.

Average customer rating:
How to Raise and Train a Yorkshire Terrier (How to Raise & Train)
Arthur Liebers , and Dana Miller
Manufacturer: TFH Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Training | Dogs | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0876664109

Average customer rating:
HOW TO RAISE AND TRAIN A YORKSHIRE TERRIER

Manufacturer: T. F. H. Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H2EGZ6

Average customer rating:
How to raise and train a Yorkshire terrier,
Arthur Liebers
Manufacturer: T.F.H. Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MQ8MFW

Average customer rating:
Exquisite Little Knits: Knitting with Luxurious Specialty Yarns
Iris Schreier , and Laurie Kimmelstiel
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fashion | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Knitting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

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One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit and Crochet

One-Skein Wonders

ASIN: 1579905366

Book Description

Cashmere, mohair, angora, sequin, eyelash fringe, and faux fur: these are the most luxurious and expensive yarns, often too costly to use for a knitting project of any great size. But these 35 breathtaking items are small enough that knitters can afford to indulge in the finest materials, and easy enough for beginners to complete with ease. Thumb through the exquisite photos of each specialty yarn, complete with descriptive introductions to its unique qualities and advice on how to work with and care for it. Follow the short and simple instructions to make a long scarf with bouclé trim, a snazzy flapper-style hat from a mohair-silk blend, and the ultimate pashmina shawl.Each item is dramatic and unique. Both authors live in White Plains, NY.

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Garden Getaways: Havens at Home
Michael Glassman
Manufacturer: Sterling/Chapelle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Gaining Ground : Dramatic Landscaping Solutions to Reclaim Lost Garden Spaces

Sunset Western Garden Book

Outside the Not So Big House: Creating the Landscape of Home

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel

ASIN: 1402710615

Book Description

Every one of these nature-filled spaces, created by major architect Michael Glassman, provides a haven for relaxation, an escape from the stress and strain of daily life. Just looking at the superb color photographs will give a gardener inspiration and spark the desire to redesign. On stunning display are candlelit backyards with comfortable furniture, terraces with a calming view, soothing water features and pools, walls that block out the world and ensure privacy, and flowers and shrubbery to delight the eye. Glassman explains in detail how he came to construct each one, carefully listing the problems he encountered along the way.

Average customer rating:

ADD / ADHD... They're Ephriam's Children!

Finally, some help!

The Ephraim's Child: Characteristics, Capabilities, And Challenges Of Children Who Are Intensely More
Deborah Talmadge , and Jamie Theler
Manufacturer: Horizon Publishers & Distributors
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Child Care | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Discipline | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Mormonism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Raising Your Spirited Child Rev Ed: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic

Answering the 8 Cries of the Spirited Child: Strong Children Need Confident Parents

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Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic

Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds [Revised and Updated Edition]

ASIN: 0882907735

Book Description

Have you ever read a parenting book and thought:

* My child doesn't fit this description.
* None of these techniques seem to work.
* Why is my child so high maintenance?

You may unknowingly have an Ephraim's Child.

What is an Ephraim's Child?

Like those of the tribe of Ephraim, an Ephraim's Child has great determination, energy, and a headstrong will. Ephraim's Children are also often high maintenance, emotional, controlling, and aggravating. What other sources don't tell you is that these children are a special and covenant people. As Hyrum G. Smith declared, "`today' is the day of Ephraim." These are the children of the final days when strength of character will be so crucial.

This book examines the nine common characteristics with examples and real life stories to explain how each trait contributes to the challenge of raising an Ephraim's Child. Parents can understand and work with these temperamental traits, and then see how each is actually a strength in need of refinement. The scriptures and words of modern prophets are used extensively along with secular sources of wisdom to demonstrate how these qualities can be valuable tools in the Lord's hands. Ephraim's Children can be valiant in building the kingdom of God because of their characteristics, not despite them.

Customer Reviews:

ADD / ADHD... They're Ephriam's Children!.......2005-06-15

3 of my children have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. I have felt that there was no hope except medication and struggle. At last I see them for who they are... Strong and sensitive Children of covenant who have been sent here at this time to be able to stand firm in a day of turmoil.

I Love this book!! It opened my eyes to the Strengths and gifts that have been given to my Children. What seemed to be combative, distractable and completely frustrating behavior now not only makes sense, butcan further be developed into strength of charachter and focused into positive aciton, and will become great assets in the lives of my Children.

My wild, impulsive, stubborn, noisy, Know-it-all drama King has become Energetic, spontaneous, perservering, tenderhearted social, and Sensitive.

My compulsive, distracted, slow to adapt, full of fear, antisocial, angry, bossy and argumentative boy has become an unshakable, aware, steady, cautious, reserved, passionate boy who stands by his convictions and is devloping leadership abilities.

My Introverted, disorganized, impetuous, extreme, unpredictable, overly sensitive, too hard on himself loner has become Reserved, unconventional, quick, passionate, caring, conscientious, and independant.

My Children have not changed as of yet, (I'm, just half way through the book), but my perception of them has. Though I know that there is a lot of work and struggle ahead, the suggestions given to turn these character traits into strengths are easy to understand, and easy to impliment.

Thanks to this book, I have hope that my Ephraim's Children will Stand strong in these last days as Covenant keepers who are anxiously engaged in good works and God's work.

Thank you!

Finally, some help!.......2005-06-08

Parenting the Ephraim's Child is the answer to my prayers! The book not only explains my child's baffling behavior, but offers real, effective methods to work with my child's temperament. After reading this book I see my child in a different, more positive light, and now can see the strengths of my intense child. I recommend this book to anyone who feels that their child is somehow more challenging, but don't know why. They probably have an Ephraim's Child, and this book is a MUST for parents of one of these super-intense, incredible children. I am telling everyone I know about this book!

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