The Raven Chronicles: In Our Own Words

I found this to be a real page turner. Most of these stories have been told and re-told -- with some expected embellishments -- in many a session of hanger flying by those of us who were there. In my case I was over in Udorn training the Hmong Chapacao pilots to fly and fight and occasionally flying combat with them. These stories are from those who lived, flew, and fought every minute of every day with them. I found their unadorned transparency very refreshing and engaging. Having been sworn to maintaining "Top Secret" for 75 years the fact that we were there fighting a "Secret War" in Laos, it has been a pleasure to be released from that classification around 1989 and to now be able to share more openly about this "war" that really was only a secret to the American public! (I could only wish that current politicians took this classification as seriously as we did!) The Vietnamese, Chinese, Laotians, etc. all knew that we were there and what we were doing. Only the American public did not until a reporter "blew our cover" in the early 70's. Now you can get glimpses "in their own words" of the realities of parts of this secret war! Enjoy reading! I certainly did!

I read this book as a follow on to Robbins' book The Ravens, as well as a half dozen other books from the Ravens themselves, Air America pilots, and CIA case officers who worked in the Laotion theatres during the SEA war. It is my opinion that this is the best read of the bunch due to the fact that it is a collection of experiences and memories from a little wider spectrum of participants. I especially enjoyed the contributions regarding the Lao/Hmong/Meo pills and Robins. A fantastic read, if I had one criticism, it would be for a want of 1st person narratives from the RLAF or Meo warriors themselves. I hope that's in store following the next meeting of the EAP Literary Society. Thank you for your service and the great book gentlemen.

For more than 2 years I was a CIA paramilitary Case Officer working with Thai military volunteer units in Long Tieng Laos. The Raven FACs whose stories are in this book were an absolutely essential support to us and our troops. Although I was a USMC infantry veteran of Vietnam and was accustomed to being shot at, I found the few flights I took in the backseat of Raven O-1s to be an activity that I engaged in as seldom as possible. It was no accident that the fatality rate for Raven pilots was one of the highest of any unit engaged in the Vietnam War.The book is a collection of vignettes gathered and edited by the author. The stories are great...no phony bravado as these junior officers went about doing a job that was essential, dangerous, funny and heartbreaking.

Great collection of experiences by Ravens. The personalities of the individual Ravens came out in their own words. Many different views and experiences that were filled with raw courage and commitment that came from deep within the individual. I saw a common thread throughout this great account and that was the close comradeship of each other and the love of the Hmong people they worked so hard to protect. Each experience accounts for an amazing loyalty to duty, performed with a level of energy and precision that is breathtaking. A necessary book if you want to understand why the Ravens risked so much and tried so hard. Well done!

Great book, there is a story in this book that I heard first hand in 1973 in the town of Ubon,Thailand. RK Brown and a Major were in a crash in 1971.in Laos. He was Lt. R K Brown at the time. In 1973 I was a neighbor of Capt. Brown and his wife in a bungalow compound in Ubon,Thailand. I heard the story of the F4 crash he was involved in at this time. He played down the overnight stay in Laos as 'no big deal'. Since reading the Raven account of this story, he has become a hero of mine, whether he knows it or not.

Enjoyed these tales from the Ravens. Some stories, of course, overlapped. Covers the Plaine des Jars well as many escapades occurred there. Would like to have more on Bolevans Plateau even though not patrolled as densely by Ravens. Thank you for your stories and your efforts while living them.

Excellent series of short stories written by the pilots who survived the experience. Stories are quite varied and give the reader a real feel of the secret war as it was happening. I also was one of those Raven pilots but my adventures weren't nearly as exciting as those submitted by my fellow Ravens.This book is unique. For those interested in reading more about Forward Air Controllers in SEA, I'd recommend reading "Cleared Hot", a two volume set that includes stories from both Vietnam and the war over Laos.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read a couple of pages and decided quickly it was a good book. It’s much more than that -- it’s a great book! I read it in a couple of sittings. It is difficult to put down, and left a powerful impression. I have five sons. I bought a copy for each one of them to read. Grateful that these Raven accounts have been preserved, and grateful to all the Raven’s for an impressive piece of work! Rick Willis

Poignant and colourful recollections of a little understood (by me) history of the SEA conflict.Format is very good and well written, I highly recommend it