Ironclaw

by Sherman Baldwin

An intense look and personal account into the Navy and what it takes to be a carrier pilot by covers such aspects as precision flying through enemy territory, mission-planning, and much more, as well as glimpse at the friendship between the pilots. Reprint.

Genres: Military Fiction, Military History, Nonfiction, Aviation

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 2, 1997

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherman Baldwin flew an EA-6B Prowler in the 1991 Gulf War. Only 26 years old when he went to war, Baldwin was barely out of training when he received orders to join his squadron aboard USS Midway, one of the Navy’s oldest carriers, already on duty in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield.

In Ironclaw, Baldwin focuses on the missions that he flew. He did a wonderful job of explaining what was happening while preserving the integrity of the story—he didn’t over-explain, and as such, I felt as though I picked up a lot of the jargon particular to the aviation industry.

Baldwin was obviously a very intelligent officer—he graduated from Yale University—and his account of his deployment was extremely readable. He did not shy away from expressing his emotions—often expressing his frustration, fears, sense of being overwhelmed, but with moments of euphoric highs.

This was an excellent account of one pilot’s experience in the Gulf War. Highly recommended.

[Garrett Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is a must read book. Because it kept me on the edge of my seat when I was reading it. I think the reason why the author wrote this book is to give everyone a inside look on what war is like for a naval carrier.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a number of books on air operations in the Persian Gulf War, but this one is the best, particularly of the autobiographic variety. Baldwin was just out of training and was dropped into a unit that had been flying together deployed for months and had to come up to speed just weeks before the air campaign commenced. He pulls no punches about his performance as he makes mistakes as a "nugget." The book is an excellent account of what it's like to work, live, and fly on a carrier. Even the routine can be dangerous. Think Flight of the Intruder, but non-fiction. Excellent read.

[Jasmine Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still reading, but good so far!