The Raven Chronicles: In Our Own Words

by John H. Fuller (Editor), Helen Murphy (Editor)

The Raven Chronicles, In Our Own Words, is a unique collection of first person accounts by the USAF forward air controllers who flew in the Secret War in Laos. Restricted by the 1962 Geneva Agreement, they flew in civilian clothes in unmarked light spotter aircraft. These pilots regularly operated from primitive dirt landing sites, often flying in poor weather, with few navigational aids, under the constant threat of enemy fire, and in the midst of towering mountains and unforgiving karst formations. According to USAF history, they were one of the success stories of the war. They built a legend of efficiency and daring in their control of RLAF and USAF strikes in support of Laotian ground units.

466 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2016

Reviews

[Mountain343 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book and should be considered a follow up to Christopher Robbins book on the Ravens. Each Raven in the book added their own experience, their own tales, their own view of the war from the start of the Raven program until the end throughout the military regions they flew.

Good, Bad, funny, sad... all are included and it's all for the better because no matter how many books you read on the Ravens, this is the most comprehensive and compliments and builds on Robbins book in a much needed way.

[James W. Eisenhower · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ravens at work

I really enjoyed reading this book. The stories from each Raven were detailed and informative, giving the reader an almost cockpit perspective throughout the book. While the multiple authors at times resulted in uneven reading, I think the editors did a great job smoothing out the bumps. This book is something all readers of Vietnam military history should read.

[Bill Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting Book

Very great story of the "Ravens" Great photos. 1st person stories in the Ravens own words. Some stories never seen before.

[Glen Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Thanks to all of the Ravens who told their stories of this era. I was stationed at NKP after all of this took place. From Aug 73-May 74, and remember dimly of being told of the men who served in Laos. Saw many of the mentioned aircraft while there.

[Tommie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, good history lesson.

Good first hand witness account is always better than getting it second hand. Lots of detail, very long read. The length and depth of detail was the reason for 4 stars instead of 5.