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Bear Cat
In route to Vietnam in the summer of 1970, Captain Johnny McKay kept hearing his father’s words in his head, Make them a good soldier, son. Every soldier onboard that flight had one goal in common – come back alive. Captain McKay soon finds himself immersed in a war zone with a few good men and very difficult circumstances. Maintaining an aviation battalion when you’re taking fire daily is no easy task and many will lose their lives. Together these men endeavor to do everything possible to look out for each other and the men on the ground fighting an unpopular war. This is the story of untested men working together under diverse and difficult circumstances to be the best that they can be.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2012
192 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 25, 2013
Most Vietnam books I have read have been in the same style that Bear Cat was written in. It portrays more of the soldier than it does the war, which I find to be most ideal when reading about this war in particular. If I wanted the blood and gore that that is commonly used when portraying Vietnam, I would just watch a war movie.
It's much easier to sympathize and relate with Captain McKay since you seem to have gotten to know him on a much more personal level while reading his story.
McKay is the new maintenance officer in charge of repairing helicopters and insuring they are delivered to wherever they are needed through out the war. Reading along side McKay's life, you really get a clear image of how tiring and demanding the life of a Vietnam soldier can really be. Learning about the hardships during various missions, you learn about a whole new side to the war.
Unlike other war books that usually grab the attention of most male readers, I believe this book can be enjoyed by so many more readers. His story should be read by more than just the typical war book readers, because his story is something special that should be shared upon so many more people.
Although I enjoyed many aspects of this book, I found it a bit long and at some points, the book seemed to ramble on more than I would have preferred. Overall I thought this was a good book deserving of 2/5 stars.
It's much easier to sympathize and relate with Captain McKay since you seem to have gotten to know him on a much more personal level while reading his story.
McKay is the new maintenance officer in charge of repairing helicopters and insuring they are delivered to wherever they are needed through out the war. Reading along side McKay's life, you really get a clear image of how tiring and demanding the life of a Vietnam soldier can really be. Learning about the hardships during various missions, you learn about a whole new side to the war.
Unlike other war books that usually grab the attention of most male readers, I believe this book can be enjoyed by so many more readers. His story should be read by more than just the typical war book readers, because his story is something special that should be shared upon so many more people.
Although I enjoyed many aspects of this book, I found it a bit long and at some points, the book seemed to ramble on more than I would have preferred. Overall I thought this was a good book deserving of 2/5 stars.
November 24, 2020
I was at Bear Cat 67-68 it was our home base I was with a land clearing team of combat engineers were all ways in the jungle the names of the places were names I knew the friendship the author talked about was correct the book was truthful not B.S .I salute you sir thank you for this read ..I gave it a five star 🌟 rating because it took me back and back home again thank you.
I recommend this to any one wanting to get a idea of us when we were young PS combat engineers stayed in the Bush same amount of time grunts did or maybe longer
I recommend this to any one wanting to get a idea of us when we were young PS combat engineers stayed in the Bush same amount of time grunts did or maybe longer
June 24, 2021
A different prospective of this war
The author gives you a thorough story from start to finish. You can understand why he's anxious to hear from his family. How important it is for his mental well being. To hear about some of the stupid causes of the choppers crashing was very depressing, but that is war. I have read several helicopter books on Viet Nam and this is a good read. I heartily recommend it.
The author gives you a thorough story from start to finish. You can understand why he's anxious to hear from his family. How important it is for his mental well being. To hear about some of the stupid causes of the choppers crashing was very depressing, but that is war. I have read several helicopter books on Viet Nam and this is a good read. I heartily recommend it.
April 27, 2021
Only Aircraft Maintenance Focused Army Aviation in Vietnam Book I've Read
Decent story that could only be based on actual events. Held my attention through a single sitting read. Only issue I had was the manuscript seemed to be edited by someone with little or no knowledge of Vietnam, but it was fun finding all of the little mistakes.
Decent story that could only be based on actual events. Held my attention through a single sitting read. Only issue I had was the manuscript seemed to be edited by someone with little or no knowledge of Vietnam, but it was fun finding all of the little mistakes.
July 26, 2021
I enjoyed this book. At times I couldn't make up my mind if it was a fictional story or an actual Vietnam experience.
The author did a good job of recounting his experiences of Vietnam in an interesting read while at the same time bypassing the horrors and violence that represented the Vietnamese war.
Recommended.
The author did a good job of recounting his experiences of Vietnam in an interesting read while at the same time bypassing the horrors and violence that represented the Vietnamese war.
Recommended.
April 9, 2020
My life as a Maintenance officer in Vietnam
The book was well written and enjoyed reading it. I was pleased it didn't have very many cuss words.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys what Vietnam Maintenance did during the war.
The book was well written and enjoyed reading it. I was pleased it didn't have very many cuss words.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys what Vietnam Maintenance did during the war.
September 7, 2020
Fantastic
A truly great read. Shows how most veterans were just good soldiers doing a job. The beginning of false media reports would have you believe the veterans were sociopaths and drug addicts. Not so. As the book shows, many were just good American men and women.
A truly great read. Shows how most veterans were just good soldiers doing a job. The beginning of false media reports would have you believe the veterans were sociopaths and drug addicts. Not so. As the book shows, many were just good American men and women.
May 31, 2023
Excellent Read
A wonderful accounting of an officers time in Vietnam as a maintenance officer. Helicopters were the work horse of the war and this tells the story of how well one particular unit achieved the highest rating a maintenance company could have. Nice work.
A wonderful accounting of an officers time in Vietnam as a maintenance officer. Helicopters were the work horse of the war and this tells the story of how well one particular unit achieved the highest rating a maintenance company could have. Nice work.
May 22, 2018
Better than expected
I couldn't put this one down. It was a way better book than I expected.
A very interesting book all round.
I couldn't put this one down. It was a way better book than I expected.
A very interesting book all round.
March 20, 2020
To all Pilots
All of us who served as infantry troops flew with a chopper pilot many times.We can never commend them enough for all that they did for us.
All of us who served as infantry troops flew with a chopper pilot many times.We can never commend them enough for all that they did for us.
April 23, 2020
Great Book
Great book keeps you interested thru the highest and lows. Nice to read a book about the Vietnam war that wasn't all negative
Great book keeps you interested thru the highest and lows. Nice to read a book about the Vietnam war that wasn't all negative
July 10, 2020
Excellent book!
I really enjoyed reading this book. Mac was a great leader and motivator for his men. It was a positive read how Americans get the job done.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Mac was a great leader and motivator for his men. It was a positive read how Americans get the job done.
August 3, 2020
A great read
An easy but riveting read. It outlined the men who kept the helicopters flying and their devotion to their jobs.
An easy but riveting read. It outlined the men who kept the helicopters flying and their devotion to their jobs.
November 7, 2020
Different
A different perspective that is for sure. A side of the war not seen before quick read. Not a shoot em up story great personality insights
A different perspective that is for sure. A side of the war not seen before quick read. Not a shoot em up story great personality insights
January 11, 2021
Good
This was a good read.well written and had a good knowledge. Base. Enjoyed it. Will look up books by this author
E
This was a good read.well written and had a good knowledge. Base. Enjoyed it. Will look up books by this author
E
February 26, 2021
Well told
A story of honesty, hard work and perseverance. This was my Area of Operations and saw no difference from my cockpit view and the view of the author.
A story of honesty, hard work and perseverance. This was my Area of Operations and saw no difference from my cockpit view and the view of the author.
March 19, 2021
good read
I have more of an understanding what it took to keep the birds in flight ready conditions hats off to the maintenance crews
I have more of an understanding what it took to keep the birds in flight ready conditions hats off to the maintenance crews
April 15, 2021
Very good read.
The flow of the writing as well as the subject kept you very interested. Very good book.
Would love to see more of his work!
The flow of the writing as well as the subject kept you very interested. Very good book.
Would love to see more of his work!
April 30, 2022
Bear Cat
Excellent book, couldn’t put it down. Ragland J. Patterson did a good job of keeping my attention from 1st page to the last.
Excellent book, couldn’t put it down. Ragland J. Patterson did a good job of keeping my attention from 1st page to the last.
August 4, 2012
I have read several stories about the Vietnam War and Bear Cat by Raland J. Patterson is surprisingly different than the others. Instead of focusing on the action of the war itself, its focus is on Captain Johnny McKay's experiences in Nam as a maintenance officer giving very little detail on the 'action' of the war. This story is about the people during the war and not about the 'blood and guts' of the war itself.
I think Captain McKay character was well developed and I really connected with him throughout the story. The other characters were introduced and developed in accordance with their 'importance' (and I use this term loosely as everyone is important) in the telling of the story. By this I mean that if McKay only sees a person once in passing and says something to him, the author does not give a lot of detail about this person however if the person is one of McKay's men that appears throughout the story, much more detail is revealed about this person. In other words, the story is not bogged down with a lot of unnecessary details about people. In fact, it isn't bogged down with a lot of detail about places or events either. I found it flowed smoothly, was interesting and always had me wanting to turn the page to see what happened next.
The story begins with McKay's experience on the plane transporting him from Ft. Dix, New Jersey to Saigon where the significance of the exchange of words between him and the soldier seated next to him doesn't become evident until the end of the story. Once at his unit McKay tries to win his men's acceptance and learn the lingo and area. I found that because the author only gives a brief description but really does not go into a lot of detail about either of these (although the pictures helped) that having some prior knowledge about the Vietnam War helped me visualize the places as well as understanding that Charlie did not refer to an individual and what Tet was and why a repeat action was so feared. The story evoked a variety of emotions, I panicked, I laughed and I cried right alongside McKay. I never thought I would use the word "laugh" and associate it in any way with the Vietnam War however, the author taught me differently because laugh I did. I also learned some things about maintenance on helicopters as if I were one of McKay's men. Not only did McKay learned from those around him, he taught more than helicopter maintenance, he taught pride, compassion and giving credit where credit was due. He often remembered or quoted statements his flight instructor, grandmother, or father said which got him out of some really tight spots. I found the "Vietnam War Facts" and "Common Myths Dispelled" at the end of the book interesting. In fact, I found the whole book interesting.
Bear Cat is a unique story that I really enjoyed reading and totally recommend it.
I think Captain McKay character was well developed and I really connected with him throughout the story. The other characters were introduced and developed in accordance with their 'importance' (and I use this term loosely as everyone is important) in the telling of the story. By this I mean that if McKay only sees a person once in passing and says something to him, the author does not give a lot of detail about this person however if the person is one of McKay's men that appears throughout the story, much more detail is revealed about this person. In other words, the story is not bogged down with a lot of unnecessary details about people. In fact, it isn't bogged down with a lot of detail about places or events either. I found it flowed smoothly, was interesting and always had me wanting to turn the page to see what happened next.
The story begins with McKay's experience on the plane transporting him from Ft. Dix, New Jersey to Saigon where the significance of the exchange of words between him and the soldier seated next to him doesn't become evident until the end of the story. Once at his unit McKay tries to win his men's acceptance and learn the lingo and area. I found that because the author only gives a brief description but really does not go into a lot of detail about either of these (although the pictures helped) that having some prior knowledge about the Vietnam War helped me visualize the places as well as understanding that Charlie did not refer to an individual and what Tet was and why a repeat action was so feared. The story evoked a variety of emotions, I panicked, I laughed and I cried right alongside McKay. I never thought I would use the word "laugh" and associate it in any way with the Vietnam War however, the author taught me differently because laugh I did. I also learned some things about maintenance on helicopters as if I were one of McKay's men. Not only did McKay learned from those around him, he taught more than helicopter maintenance, he taught pride, compassion and giving credit where credit was due. He often remembered or quoted statements his flight instructor, grandmother, or father said which got him out of some really tight spots. I found the "Vietnam War Facts" and "Common Myths Dispelled" at the end of the book interesting. In fact, I found the whole book interesting.
Bear Cat is a unique story that I really enjoyed reading and totally recommend it.
January 13, 2013
After 22 years of active duty in military (retiring as Lt. Colonel) and 18 years of financial planning Author Raland Patterson brings forth a very distinct account of Vietnam civil war. Distinct in a sense that “Bear Cat” doesn’t go into bloody history of the war, rather it is focused on life and morals of Captain Johnny McKay and routine happenings in the camps and missions.
Captain McKay is (a sort of protagonist) the new maintenance officer, who is to repair Helicopter and fly them whenever duty calls in. Throughout the story McKay faces various situations and person who would challenge any person to take the wrong path (morally) but Jonny keeps his cool in all of these situations (almost all). He uses his cunning thoughtfulness and resourcefulness for the betterment of everyone.
This book bypasses the bounds of specific reader group and can be enjoyed by anyone.
This is a great read and will leave its readers in blissful mood but still I can’t deny the fact that it has very little info about the war itself (and thus it didn’t fulfilled my expectations of it) and also sometimes (many a times) pace of the story was way too slow to my liking.. But simple to follow language and good storyline made it a compelling read.
Considering all the goods (and the bad) this was an average and one time read, but would love to read some of authors other works. :) And so, on concluding notes, this book deserves 3 of 5 points.
Captain McKay is (a sort of protagonist) the new maintenance officer, who is to repair Helicopter and fly them whenever duty calls in. Throughout the story McKay faces various situations and person who would challenge any person to take the wrong path (morally) but Jonny keeps his cool in all of these situations (almost all). He uses his cunning thoughtfulness and resourcefulness for the betterment of everyone.
This book bypasses the bounds of specific reader group and can be enjoyed by anyone.
This is a great read and will leave its readers in blissful mood but still I can’t deny the fact that it has very little info about the war itself (and thus it didn’t fulfilled my expectations of it) and also sometimes (many a times) pace of the story was way too slow to my liking.. But simple to follow language and good storyline made it a compelling read.
Considering all the goods (and the bad) this was an average and one time read, but would love to read some of authors other works. :) And so, on concluding notes, this book deserves 3 of 5 points.
January 29, 2013
Captain McKay is the maintenance officer, who is stationed in Bear Cat during the Vietnam war. McKay helps the company to get the defective helicopters running again, so that the 'birds' (as called in the book) can be used to bring back the soldiers who are left in the field due to some issues. McKay faces so many hindrances from his peers, but he gets through everything with such grace and smartness.
Although McKay is the main character, the other characters like Rock and Dixon maintain the friendliness of the novel. When McKay was initially struggling to gain some co-operation among his sub-ordinates and peers, there are some scenes that was fun and real. With McKay, the readers also experience the new place where he feels like he belongs, the closeness of the peers at last, the loss of some close friends and the pressure that he is put in his daily job.
This is a new take on the war novel. This is not about the war itself, but about the men behind the war. This 'behind the scenes' experience brought out a new level of understanding of the people in war zone. The pictures, although, not that good, helped understand some of the scenes.
Never thought I would enjoy a such novel and the fun part is that I didn't think even for a minute, that this may not be my type of book. Because this seriously is not my type of book and still the author made this such a compelling read.
Recommended!
Although McKay is the main character, the other characters like Rock and Dixon maintain the friendliness of the novel. When McKay was initially struggling to gain some co-operation among his sub-ordinates and peers, there are some scenes that was fun and real. With McKay, the readers also experience the new place where he feels like he belongs, the closeness of the peers at last, the loss of some close friends and the pressure that he is put in his daily job.
This is a new take on the war novel. This is not about the war itself, but about the men behind the war. This 'behind the scenes' experience brought out a new level of understanding of the people in war zone. The pictures, although, not that good, helped understand some of the scenes.
Never thought I would enjoy a such novel and the fun part is that I didn't think even for a minute, that this may not be my type of book. Because this seriously is not my type of book and still the author made this such a compelling read.
Recommended!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews