Flying Through Midnight

I served in the same unit as the author at about the same time. The exploit that is described in the last third of the book is indeed heroic. However, the rest of the descriptions of the mission and dangers of the squadron are vastly over stated. The writing is simplistic. Worst of all is the reader, who makes the story sound like a farce. I had hoped this book would explain to my wife my life in the war. She and I were so embarrassed by this audio book, I had to turn it off.

As previous reviewers have noted, the author of this book often came off as being whiny and somewhat spineless. Being a former military helicopter pilot, I found the author's story very interesting and familiar... it's a great story overall. But the lavish, lengthy descriptions of the author's internal feelings, fears, and emotions were just way over done and almost nauseating to listen to. It's like he felt the need to stretch the book out by embellishing on his fears and doubts. Don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no problem with a person being sensitive and in touch with their emotions, but way to much text and time was spent in this book on them almost making it unbearable to listen to. Yes tell us you were afraid, but like any well trained military pilot, just move on and tell us how you did your job. Sheez!

I nearly quit listening to this wonderful yarn after about 2 hours: The narrator's style was so off-putting. The gent is unable to convincingly emote incredulity, surprise,disgust,disbelief, or any similar mood. It all comes out as a cowardly whine. Unemotional dialogue was good, however. The story is a wonderfully irreverant memoir of JT's experience the Air Force at war. As a contemporary of Mr Haliday, but in the Navy, I can vouch for the accuracy of the "church of the Air Force," being familiar with another denomination of the same church, the Navy. The story was organized well, almost as though we were talking over a couple of Coors. As much as I enjoyed the tale in hindsight, I would not endure the narrator again, no matter how good the story seemed to be. Story: 5-stars; narration: 0-stars.

I am inclined to believe the reviewers who criticize the accuracy/honesty of these stories. The reason I don't recommend this audiobook is that the author sounds like a total weasel. Damn, this guy whines like a looser. Look... we all know that fighting a secret war in a complete hellhole is a hard thing to do. I have enormous respect for the people who have served this country during our most challenging times. But I feel like telling this guy to just man up. Its hot... my quarters are bad... nobody trained me... My wife didn't have any money! Good thing this guy wasn't an inlisted man with four kids carrying an M16 through rice patties. He would have melted into a puddle of tears. I am sure it doesn't help that the narrator sounds like a whiner too... bad choice.

Anyway, I am easy to please. I love all things aviation, I love history, and I love audiobooks. However, this audiobook I do not recommend.

This is a great book that works particularly well in the audio format. It provides a valuable insight into the struggles of a junior officer learning how to keep himself and his crew alive in combat, particularly in an environment that is totally unsupportive. This is a must listen for students of military aviation and anyone interested in the struggles of the US Air Force during the Vietnam war.

This story takes the listener through the monotony and teeth-gritting terror of aviation recon missions over Vietnam War-era Laos from the 25-year-old pilot's POV. The audiobook's drawback (for me) is the reader. Reading the book traditionally would have been a lot better since the narrator has a grating habit of drawing-out his words and adding an almost "sing-song" quality to his delivery; essentially lengthening words and phrases into twice the necessary time it takes the average person to say the same thing. Other than that, once you get used to it, the story is very interesting and exciting. Four stars for content!

This is a gripping, moving and fascinating book. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys military history and wants to study it by living though an extremely perilous experience. The frustrations of Vietnam and sometime the irritating psychological weakness, of the author are well explained. Also there is some advice on how to be a great pilot which would also be good advice on how to be good at most if not all of life's endeavors.

I would highly recommend this book to others. Extremely well written and narrated. The narration made you feel as if you were there. Overall, an excellent view of a little known part of the vietnam conflict.

I didn't read the print version, but I enjoyed the audio version very much. I am not sure if the print version could have captured some of the feeling that was evident in the audio version due to the emotional queues that are available with voice acting.

JT. He was the main character and the story pretty much revolved around him and his experience. I was a little put off by the dual world theories, but I think people have a right to believe in what they believe in and the circumstances in which he found himself might have led me to change any number of things I now believe, so I am not going to judge.The story was well told with strong mental images that had me laughing or holding my breath and sometimes just thanking God I was not there.

I love William Dufris's voice. That is how I found the book, by searching for books he had read. I have also listened to Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephanson and I thought both books were well performed and the voices of the characters distinguished well enough to allow the the suspension of belief to enjoy them as separate characters.

It was far too long to listen to in one setting, but I found myself wanting to get back to it as soon as time permitted.

One of the best!

This is the first one I've heard.

The story builds to a riviting finsh and a rewarding end. It gets better and better as the story unfolds. You get to know and love the characters as they face the struggle with the contradictions that faced them in the war in Viet Nam, politically and militarily. Sweat with them in the oven like atmosphere inside the planes and weep with them in the quiet moments in the solitude of their minds as they try to make sense of the events of their daily lives.

This book was not what I expected. It turned out to be more a story than history and was far more enoyable as a result. Do yourself a favor and read this book!