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| Naval Institute Press: The same publisher that brought readers Tom Clancy's 'The Hunt for Red October'...Stephen Coonts' 'Flight of the Intruder'...Homer Hickam's 'Torpedo Junction'...George Marrett's 'Howard Hughes Aviator'...and Darrell Whitcomb's 'The Rescue of Bat 21'. Now...read the latest thriller from Naval Institute Press, 'The Rescue of Streetcar 304'.... Book Summary: In 1968 Navy Lt. Kenny Fields left a pregnant wife and two young children at home when his squadron boarded the aircraft carrier USS America and set sail for the Gulf of Tonkin to join the air war against North Vietnam. On his very first combat mission in his new A-7 'Corsair', Kenny unknowingly engaged a massive concentration of enemy AAA and was shot down following a second bomb run. Enemy troops fired at him as he floated down in his parachute and continued to doggedly chase him during the next thirty-nine hours. Within minutes, an Air Force rescue plane was hit, severely damaged and barely made it back to base. Within another few minutes, a second Air Force plane was shot down only a mile from Kenny's position, and that pilot too was hounded by enemy troops for thirty nine hours. Thus began one of the largest and most dramatic air rescue efforts of the Vietnam War. After 189 rescue sorties, and the loss of seven planes, one pilot was rescued---the other was captured and detained as a prisoner of war for over five years. Now... read the story that the participants hounded Kenny for thirty-five years to write. You decide if the life of two pilots was worth the required effort. | Book Reviews.... "Before you start reading this book, do the laundry, wash the dishes, buy some t.v. dinners, and dig yourself a hole because you won't be able to stop reading until the end. It's that good.... ---"Holly", amazon.com "I won’t tell you any of the details, leaving those to your own reading and investigations, but I will tell you that, at one point, Kenny was wondering if the guys in the jets above him were trying to rescue him or kill him. This is a very good read and should be on everyone’s bookshelf. ---Jay Brown, Combat Helo Association President, "Swashplate Newsletter" " ""It is rare that even the most gifted fiction writer would be able to match the action contained in Fields' book---and his is all true." ---David Powers, Cdr, USN, (Ret), "Logbook Magazine" "An outstanding work...so riveting that I literally had to tear away to perform required duties!!!" ---Stephen R. Gray, Capt, USN, (Ret), A-4 pilot/author, "Rampant Raider" "This is a real page turner...I have seldom read a more entrancing account of combat, escape and evasion and the hope, despair, agony, desperation, courage and faith in his maker...The grand finale could be straight out of Hollywood." ---J. Douglas Hinton for General Aviation News Magazine "Strap in and get ready for the ride of your life! This heart-stopping narrative of the Vietnam War puts you right in the cockpit of the author's A-7A Corsair and then on the ground with him as he fights to evade capture by Pather Lao troops.".... "Fields' description of flying from a carrier are excellent, and launch sequences are particularly well done".... "He describes his mission and shootdown with great detail and emotion".... "The final pages are worthy of any top military fiction writer, but it's not fiction...It happened...What a film prospect! 'Bat 21', and 'Behind Enemy Lines' would certainly have to take a back seat to 'Streetcar 304', the motion picture"...."The Rescue of Streetcar 304' is one of the best Vietnam books I have seen in at least 10 years." ---Peter Mersky, Naval Aviation News magazine "This story has such an intrinsic dramatic magnitude that no literary embellishments are necessary to make it a riveting narrative. Once the reader immerses himself in the story, it is very, very difficult to put this book down...With his unassuming and objective style...This is an inspiring story about valor, dedication to duty, and heroism." ---Capt. Vincent C. Secades, USN (Ret), "Rotor Review Magazine" "A nonfiction classic of a naval aviator...told in a vivid, fast paced, and multi-dimensional way. A lot of the nonfiction I've read about the Vietnam War doesn't come up to this standard. In this book, there is the sense that the author is tracking to some source as he tells his story...that you are progressing with him to a more complete understanding of not only a Navy pilots forty hours on the run in Laos, but of the author's core character, and things demonstrated by his brothers-in-arms, like courage under fire and honoring one's commitments in the face of adversity. That genuineness is the anchor to the book; but Field's genius is how he captures, with a subtle aptness of language, a faith in both his brothers-in-arms and in a higher power. Other aspects of the author's voice I really like: the novelty inherent in your writing approach, and the unique aspects that result from the complementary fusion of how you bring together the various people in your story. People are described very well, with the reader getting a excellent sense of their character...the critical dialogue that you have with both with yourself and the reader(s), is a quality that spans a wide range of audiences...the expressive individuality that comes through in your work...the feeling that one gets when reading your work is that of one soul, reaching out and speaking to another...a well-researched unique body of work from a one-of-a-kind, unique and authentic personality." ---Dan Guenther, author, "China Wind", former Marine platoon leader, Vietnam "The title of this book gives away the ending but I can assure you that a gripping adventure awaits the reader... There were times when the enemy soldiers nearly stepped on him (the author) and times when they seemed to look right at him. Turning to prayer, Fields writes: Now I wish I had consistently l ived by the Golden Rule, and adhered to all the Ten Commandments, but I had not...." ---Bob Hanson, Air & Space Magazine
"If you are looking for a terrific read you need look no further than "The Rescue of Streetcar 304". Those of you on the delivery end of Search and Rescue service will get a completely different prospective...a must read for all members of the rescue community...." ---Editor, Jolly Green Association "Footprints" newsletter "Stephen Coonts has predicted that 'The Rescue of Streetcar 304' will become an instant military aviation classic and this reviewer agrees. After starting to read it, I had a problem putting it down.... Extremely well written....Highly recommended!!! ---Col. Ken Deal, USAF (Ret), Editor, Daedalus Flyer Magazine, Daedalion Foundation
"This book is a gripping narrative of the shootdown and eventual rescue of Navy Lt. Kenny Fields. His forty hour survival, evasion and rescue provides a riveting story.... It reads like a novel.... The book is an exciting read.... The descriptive narrative is excellent, fast paced and thrilling.... During the rescue effort, four pilots ejected, one was captured and spent five years as a POW.... Field's account of the valiant efforts of others to save him is emotional without becoming lugubrious." ---Lt. Charles Liles, USN, Tailhook Assoc., "The Hook Magazine", Spring 2008 "One of the very best 'war stories' I have ever read. The authenicity of this first-hand account jumps out. This ought to be required reading in high schools throughout America." ---Howard D. Deane, "Army", a book reviewer on amazon.com, 11/25/07 "I'd like to recommend a great book: "The Rescue of Streetcar 304", by Kenny Wayne Fields. This is the most exciting book I can remember reading, especially when he describes his two bombing runs...." ---"Oldtora" forum, Professional Pilot's Rumour Network, March 2008 "If other military books are as riveting as this McDowell County native author's first effort, then I intend to add them to my library...Fields is as gifted a story-teller as he must have been a Navy jet pilot...The Rescue of Streetcar 304 brings together a group of real characters who knowingly risk their lives to rescue others when they're scared to death to do it. At the same time, it has a softer side as the author provides a detailed look at the myriad emotions experienced by his wife...But what makes a truly good read is the author's ability to engage the interest of a civilian like me... Fields presents his account in a context that leaves readers with no doubt about what he means." ---Audrey Stanton, Editor, West Virginia South magazine, Oct/Nov 2007  Still sweating and out of breath! Wow! I feel like I have just escaped from the jungles and the enemy myself! This is a great book. It has the perfect blend of action, technical detail and personal information. The technical details on the aircraft, combat procedures (bombing runs, strafing, etc)and how a rescue mission is run are presented in a manner that is interesting to the reader; not boring. The descriptions of the on the ground action as the two pilots attempt to escape and evade are riveting. As I read, I could feel the heat of the jungle, my body was tense with apprehension when the enemy was near and I could feel my heart bursting with fear as the pilots burst through the jungle as the enemy chased and fired upon them! Outstanding book! ---Steve Russell, book reviewer on Amazon.com, September 6, 2008 |
" "Field's conversational, almost chatty writing style makes readers feel as if they're sitting around the kitchen table with a beloved uncle, paying rapt attention to a harrowing war story. His matter-of-fact approach to the trials and tribulations he faced in his three days on the run make the story even more suspenseful....Field's story almost can't help but be inspirational...." ---Rusty Marks, Charleston, W.Va., "Charleston Gazette" newspaper Gripping A well written first hand account of one of the most amazing rescues of a downed pilot in the Viet Nam war. The author puts you in the jungle with him and I found it difficult to put down even knowing that he would eventually be rescued. An excellent read. ---Waldo Pepper, book reviewer on Amazon.com, August 27, 2008 "When I first started reading, I thought that this would be anything but a great book. After all, how much can you jam into a book about an experience that only lasted 2 and 1/2 days? Boy oh Boy... was I ever wrong! Sell the house, sell the wife but do anything you need to get the money to buy it. You will not be disappointed! First rate R-E-A-L adventure! One lucky guy." ---Book review posting by a reader on amazon.com, August 2008 Geee! "What a read!!! A true no bull...there I was...thought I was gonna die story." ---D.C. Johnson, former Jolly Green "PJ", June 2008 via email "I had not read a book in thirty years but my daughter gave me this one so I felt compelled to read it. Once I started it, I didn't want to stop reading...." ---Chuck, a reader in Georgia
"Best of the best....As a former Vietnam black water Salvage diver for the U.S. Army (yes, they had divers), I figured this would "A "A fantastic book...I couldn't put it down. Afterward, my brother read it and he also could not put it down. I am planning on reading it a second time...." ---Andrew, a reader in England "I just finished your book and the emotions and tears are still flowing...I read each and every riveting word of your harrowing experience...I was afraid and reluctant to put it down at any point as I felt that I was leaving you behind. ---Hugh. a reader in North Carolina "This is the story of a pilot's 40-hour ordeal of escape and evasion while being pursued by the North Vietnamese Army and Pathet Lao guerrillas---and trying to avoid being killed by friendly close-air support intended to protect him..... This is a story about American pilots and the anguish of the military and their families who await word of success or failure." ---William D. Bushnell, Military Officer's Association (MOAA) Magazine, March 2008 "What a riveting, page-turning tale! Sorry...I didn't want the book to end even though that would mean you would continue to be unrescued until it did. Super job on the E&E, wonderful job on the book...." ---Bill K. (two tours in "Nam, H-34s and A-6s), Cary, NC, February 2008 "I just finished reading your book, and I'm glad that I took Mr. Marrett's advice and "Fastened my seatbelt". It was riveting.... ---F.L., a reader in Charlotte, NC, January '08 "I can honestly tell you that by the time I got to the part when your squadron mates got the news of your safe extraction that I had more tears flowing down my face than they did...the incredible bravery and faith exhibited by the Sandy, Jolly and Fast Mover pilots was truly awe inspiring...maybe the only reason that God got you out of there in one piece was to write this book, but, if so, it was reason enough.... ---R.R., a reader in LaPlata, MD, January '08 "I received your book for Christmas, and started reading it on Christmas Day and could hardly put it down. It is truly one of the best books I have read.... ---R.W., a reader in Durham, NC, January '08 "Wow!!! You have done yourself proud...I found myself laughing... crying... shaking... sweating... and praying.... ---R.S., a reader in Charlotte, NC, January '08 "This book by Kenny Wayne Fields of Mooresville, NC explains in great detail the 1968 heroic rescue of Fields after he was shot down in Laos. Fields barely evaded capture during repeated air rescue attempts by his comrades. Risking their lives from enemy gunfire, they kept coming back. One was shot down and spent five years as a POW. Interspersed are accounts of what was happening back on the home front as his family waited for word of his situation. The book is sure to fascinate Vietnam War veterans or military pilots, but it is a tale of courage for all to read." --- Alex Coffin, Charlotte, NC "Observer"
"Kenny Wayne Fields wrote a book about one of the most harrowing rescues of the Vietnam War---his own--- and achieved an early nomination for the "2007 Ragan Old North State Award" in the non-fiction category." ---Fayetteville, NC, "Observer" "In May 1968, Navy Lt. Kenny Wayne Fields took off from the deck of the USS America, piloting his A-7 Corsair toward a mission over Laos. Unknowingly, his flight path took him over a mass of anti-aircraft guns attached to a North Vietnamese front-line division. Fields -- who now lives in Mooresville, N.C. -- tells his story in The Rescue of Streetcar 304: A Navy Pilot's 40 Hours on the Run in Laos (Naval Institute Press, $29.95). As it turned out, the U.S. Air Force flew a total of 189 sorties to rescue Fields, who went on to fly 138 other combat missions over Vietnam and would retire as a full commander. Small world department: Fields was a high school classmate of Homer Hickham, author of Rocket Boys (made into the movie October Skies) and Torpedo Junction, about the anti-submarine war off the Tar Heel coast in World War II."
---StarNewsOnline (Wilmington, NC)
"Fields, a retired attack pilot, recounts his experience on a combat mission during the Vietnam War and the subsequent rescue after he was shot down. He uses radio logs, after-action reports, and interviews with those involved to describe the events of this 40-hour period, which included encounters with Pathet Lao guerillas, close calls with bombs, and lost planes, as well as the story of the wives and families waiting for news." ---Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR
 In just a short period of time, 'The Rescue of Streetcar 304' has garnered several notable endorsements from such auspicious authors as Stephen Coonts, Homer Hickam, George Marrett, and Darrell Whitcomb.....  ***** "An instant classic... ---Stephen Coonts, "Flight of the Intruder" ***** "Streetcar 304 is a most remarkable Vietnam wartime adventure, told now in one of the best books set in that era I've ever read---a most remarkable book that deserves a huge audience." ---Homer Hickam, "Rocket Boys" ***** "Kenny Fields is the ultimate survivor. For forty hours he evaded the enemy as Sandy Skyraider pilots tried to pluck him from the hostile j ungle. Here is the riveting account of his escape from Laos... Fasten your seat belt". ---George Marrett, "Cheating Death" ***** "I loved the non-stop action. I think you've got a winner with Streetcar 304." ---Test reader ***** "The chapter about the wife is heartbreaking." ---Test reader ***** "The scene with the chattering teeth is the funniest thing I've read in years. I love the mix of drama and humor in this book." ---Test reader ***** "All military terms are explained in the text, and easy to read by a non-aviation buff." ***** "This is non-fiction that reads like a good, juicy novel. Just when you think that the tension in this drama can't get any more intense, you turn a page and find yourself in tears---from laughing. Several pages later those tears have turned to sniffles over a tale of true love. A perfect blend of action, drama, humor and romance---and it's all true." | |
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