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Taking Fire  By  cover art

Taking Fire

By: Ron Alexander, Charles W. Sasser
Narrated by: Corey M. Snow
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Publisher's summary

Nicknamed "Mini-Man" for his diminutive stature, a mere five-foot-three and 125 pounds in his flight boots, chopper pilot Ron Alexander proved to be a giant in the eyes of the men he rescued from the jungles and paddies of Vietnam. With an unswerving concern for every American soldier trapped by enemy fire, and a fearlessness that became legendary, Ron Alexander earned enough official praise to become the second most decorated helicopter pilot of the Vietnam era. Yet, for Ron, the real reward came from plucking his fellow soldiers from harm's way, giving them another chance to get home alive.

In Taking Fire, Alexander and acclaimed military writer Charles Sasser transport you right into the cramped cockpit of a Huey on patrol, offering a bird's eye view of the Vietnam conflict. Packed with riveting action and gritty "you-are-there" dialogue, this outstanding book celebrates the everyday heroism of the chopper pilots of Vietnam.

©2001 Ron Alexander and Charles W. Sasser (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about Taking Fire

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Unnecessarily vulgar - returned it

As soon as Chapter 1, less than 4:00 into it, he refers to Vietnamese women as "slant p---y". There are plenty of better chopper stories to hear besides this garbage. I spent 9 years in the Air Force, stateside non-combat, well after Nam, Flew on UH-1s with the 37th ARRS Beaver Squadron routinely as a missile crew passenger, and love that bird every time I see one. My neighbor in the BOQ at Warren AFB was a superb Huey pilot. None of us talked like this cretin.

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6 people found this helpful

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Poorly Done

I was in the military during this time period and very familiar with profanity but this reading was over the top gratuitous and Mr Snow was too dramatic too make this book enjoyable.

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3 people found this helpful

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Mini Man can

A must read about the shortest and toughest pilot in the Vietnam war.
Over 40 medals and a great story was his from that conflict.
His humor is irresistible.

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1 person found this helpful

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Mini Man was a Giant

It's easier to say, "there goes a real man."
Beautifully written. Beautifully read. I could have sat through another 100 chapters.

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Great book

The book is read well and is an overall great story. Very interesting from start to finish.

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Great synopsis Lived it with him. He did his job an deserves respect from all Americans.

Great story
Best real experience. All should read this man’s experience. He did what some avoided

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Excellent

Another great example of what honor and courage is all about. Deeply humbled by this man’s extraordinary achievements in his life.

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Great story

Another great account of what the Vietnam war was like through the eyes of a courageous helicopter pilot.

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Another great one

Loved everything about this and I felt like the narrator really got into the story. I hope he does more war related books.

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Another great Vietnam story!

It's amazing how many great helicopter pilots have written their stories. Each one is just as good as the others, and I end up finishing them and thinking it might have been my favorite. This one won't dissapoint.

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