The Hunter Killers

By: Dan Hampton

Narrated by: John Pruden

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The Extraordinary Story of the First Wild Weasels, the Band of Maverick Aviators Who Flew the Most Dangerous Missions of the Vietnam War

A gripping chronicle of the band of maverick aviators who signed on for the suicidal, dangerous top-secret "Wild Weasel" missions during the Vietnam War - which used controversial and revolutionary tactics to combat Soviet missile technology - from New York Times best-selling author Dan Hampton.

On July 24, 1965, Soviet advisors to North Vietnam launched an SA-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM), blowing an American F-4 Phantom out of the sky - the first of several kills using this menacing system. To counter this new weaponry, stunned Pentagon officials created a classified program - "Wild Weasel I" - pairing experimental equipment with a highly select group of electronic warfare officers and fighter pilots to combat this deadly threat. The men who did this became the "Hunter Killers" - and it is time to know their names.

Fifty years later Dan Hampton provides a cockpit view of this highly classified military program that was a radical departure from conventional fighter jet tactics. These courageous, daring, and skilled warriors risked their lives to fight the SAMs and save their brother aviators.

Using firsthand accounts and declassified documents from both sides of the conflict, The Hunter Killers takes listeners into the skies and up close to the bloody duels that left half the Weasels dead or captured. At its center are the men who risked everything to fight the most dangerous antiaircraft weapons the world had seen.

Acclaimed Texas historian Stephen L. Moore's Texas Rising, the official companion to the epic History series of the same name, brings to life the violent Texas frontier and the Rangers' heroic deeds during the Texas Revolution. Texas Rising is an unforgettable history of this iconic band of fighters.

©2015 Ascalon, LLC (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

excellent

great book. not what I expected, but for the better. I expected a chronological retelling of the evolution of the wild weasels, and while that is included, there's a ton of historical background as well surrounding missiles and the conflict in Vietnam. I learned a lot, was entertained, and have recommended the book to others. viva la france!

misleading title and description

good book, but barely half is actually about the wild weasel mission. the majority is history of Vietnam, and the Vietnam war. although important to the context of the wild weasel mission, it was unexpected. having already read the book "the Vietnam War" most of this book was just a review of the conflict and not what was expected, a history of the wild weasel mission.

if you have limited knowledge of the war and what lead to the conflict, and understand this is what you're purchasing when this book, it would be a great read.

need to change the book title to "history of the Vietnam War, and the wild weasel mission"

amazing book

I love this book. definitely will recommend and read many times. thank you for your service Mr Hampton. Semper Fi from an old Marine

A Wild Weasel Primer

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book for someone who has little or no previous knowledge of the Vietnam War in general or the Wild Weasel mission in particular. If you are well versed on those topics, you might be a bit let down. Easily half the book is devoted to historical background and explaining technical topics.The remainder are the 'war stories' (which is what I wanted to hear). I'm not at all saying that this is a bad book, it was just hamstrung a bit by all the background information, which may be helpful for most listeners--just not this one..

Amazing Background and Stories

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it was, in my opinion, a very clear and to-the-point piece of writing. I enjoyed the fact that the author not only told the stories of the newly-formed Wild Weasels, but he tied that with the real and undeniable truth of the Vietnam War. The Hunter Killers is not only one of the best books I’ve read on military aviation, but one of the best ones on the short-comings of much of the leadership surrounding it. I would certainly recommend this book!

Great Listen for any war buff!

It's a really good listen. It not only puts you in the seat with pilots but strays off into some politics and background of the Vietnam conflict (sometimes a tad too deep but relatable) . Very well rounded and a nice solid listen.

Great listen and masterfully read.

I love the narrator, he really sucks you into the action. Great listen and recommend to anyone that enjoys listening to combat missions and war time stories.

Historic and Action Packed

I may be biased as a non- pilot USAF vet? But this was an extremely well written account of the history of the weasels and how politics and the pressure of public opinion doomed the Vietnam conflict from the onset. You can doubt the war or the motives for it. You cannot dispute the honor and professionalism of those who fought it.

great history lesson on Vietnam

it's obviously through the eyes of a fighter pilot but it's a great perspective on the Vietnam war.

great book

great mix of "in the cockpit" and history. would recommend to anyone interested in aviation.