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North SAR: A Novel of Navy Combat Pilots in Vietnam
The air war in Vietnam comes alive as seen through the eyes of Lt. Mike Santy, a fighter pilot who bombs North Vietnamese targets, and Lt. Tim Boyle, who flies search-and-rescue missions deep in the heart of enemy territory to save downed Navy pilots.
306 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 1, 2016
A solid debut novel by Gerry Carroll, who happened to be one of Tom Clancy's high school buddies. Carroll went to Vietnam as a Navy search and rescue (SAR) helicopter pilot while Clancy was ineligible for the military due to poor eyesight. Probably a good thing Clancy got to write books instead of serving in the military, but I digress.
North SAR is a story about two navy pilots, one an attack pilot and the other a SAR helo pilot, and their experiences over North Vietnam. There's lots of detail, lots of military jargon and acronyms, and really good 'you had to be there' stories. There are several edge-of-your-seat SAR missions that make you feel like you're right there in the aircraft with the crews--over and above even what Clancy could do.
This is one of those rare novels that's heavily influenced by the actual experiences of its author. Carroll's voice is engaging and witty, and the writing moves along at a good clip.
My only criticism of the book is that one of the best parts is tucked way in the back. If you read nothing else from this book, at least read the hilarious glossary, which covers a lot of the technical jargon and acronyms used in the book. I say without reservation that this is the most entertaining glossary I've ever read in a work of fiction--Carroll is frequently laugh-out-loud funny just in this tossed-off section. I think if the publisher had put the glossary up front instead of in the back pages, it probably would have hooked in even more readers.
I lament that Carroll's literary career was very short-lived--he died less than a year after the paperback was published. But he obviously served his country with honor and he even managed to get out a few books at the 11th hour. Kudos to him.
North SAR is a story about two navy pilots, one an attack pilot and the other a SAR helo pilot, and their experiences over North Vietnam. There's lots of detail, lots of military jargon and acronyms, and really good 'you had to be there' stories. There are several edge-of-your-seat SAR missions that make you feel like you're right there in the aircraft with the crews--over and above even what Clancy could do.
This is one of those rare novels that's heavily influenced by the actual experiences of its author. Carroll's voice is engaging and witty, and the writing moves along at a good clip.
My only criticism of the book is that one of the best parts is tucked way in the back. If you read nothing else from this book, at least read the hilarious glossary, which covers a lot of the technical jargon and acronyms used in the book. I say without reservation that this is the most entertaining glossary I've ever read in a work of fiction--Carroll is frequently laugh-out-loud funny just in this tossed-off section. I think if the publisher had put the glossary up front instead of in the back pages, it probably would have hooked in even more readers.
I lament that Carroll's literary career was very short-lived--he died less than a year after the paperback was published. But he obviously served his country with honor and he even managed to get out a few books at the 11th hour. Kudos to him.
April 4, 2018
This is a great book for those who would like to see how Naval Aviation worked during the Vietnam war and into the following '70's. I was back in the troops seat of the H-3 Seaking as I read the story. This could have been any Carrier that sailed Yankee Station. The author was there and he will take you with him as he flew the Combat Search and Rescue missions into the Indian County. Oh, the names are changed and there is a love story but it is about the Naval Aviation during the '70's. For me, I was back on the flight deck lunching the Alert Helo's sucking the F-4's, A-7's, or A-6's jet exhaust as they were preparing to launch. The new reader will enjoy the story. The author explains what's going on in such a way as to bring you aboard and not drag the action down to chase away the veterans. If you would like to receive an ideal what the life of a SAR Helo detachment is like then this is a book for you. If you are looking for an Adventure there is an adventure for you. If you are looking for a suspenseful romantic story with a Nautical twist then this is for you. If you are looking for a quest with multiple twist and turns on a geo-political level that also has a salty taste to your reading, this is your book. If you want all three, jump aboard but beware, you just might not put it down. For all of you Clancy, Cusslers, and Coonts readers, this is equal and a great read as well.
October 31, 2024
I read this book back when it first came out and loved it. The writing, the humor, the characters, and the tension kept me hooked from start to finish. The author really knew what he was writing about, and most importantly, how to tell a story that interwove so many different people, from the highest of admirals, to the lowliest of junior officers all while enmeshing them into the stress of the last bit of America's involvement in the Vietnam War.
Re-reading this book was a different experience. I'm not one who usually re-reads books because I have so many others to read that I am excited to dig in to, but after the last book being such a slog, I wanted to enmesh myself in something I knew I loved, and see if it still holds up 30+ years later! The fact is, it's STILL a good book! But knowing the ending did take away a lot of the tension and emotional roller coaster that is a major theme of the book. So with that aspect removed/spoiled by my previous reading and remembrance, it left me more open to just enjoy the details and the world the author built. From details of carrier life, to the air wings, to all of the little bits included. It was really enjoyable to sort of slow down and enjoy the elements vs rushing to see what happens next! Still a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it and all of Gerry Carrolls writing. He was a magnificent author who was gone way too soon. I needed another 50 books from him!
Re-reading this book was a different experience. I'm not one who usually re-reads books because I have so many others to read that I am excited to dig in to, but after the last book being such a slog, I wanted to enmesh myself in something I knew I loved, and see if it still holds up 30+ years later! The fact is, it's STILL a good book! But knowing the ending did take away a lot of the tension and emotional roller coaster that is a major theme of the book. So with that aspect removed/spoiled by my previous reading and remembrance, it left me more open to just enjoy the details and the world the author built. From details of carrier life, to the air wings, to all of the little bits included. It was really enjoyable to sort of slow down and enjoy the elements vs rushing to see what happens next! Still a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it and all of Gerry Carrolls writing. He was a magnificent author who was gone way too soon. I needed another 50 books from him!
February 22, 2020
400 pages
August 28, 2023
Excellent
12/20/1991
12/20/1991
February 5, 2013
Published in 1991 by Pocket Books
This first novel by a high school friend of Tom Clancy concerns two U.S. Navy pilots named Mike Santy and Tim Boyle who are best friends serving during the late stages of the Vietnam War. They serve off of the coast of North Vietnam. Santy is a pilot of an A-7 Corsair attack bomber and regularly flies bombing missions over North Vietnam. Boyle flies a Sikorsky HH-3A Sea King Combat SAR helicopter. His job is to rescue downed pilots, both in the water and in North Vietnam.
The book is a pretty typical war story novel featuring pilots reminding me quite a bit of Stephen Coonts' earlier novel Flight of the Intruder. The story is solid. There is plenty of detail and jargon but not so much that the reader is overwhelmed...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
This first novel by a high school friend of Tom Clancy concerns two U.S. Navy pilots named Mike Santy and Tim Boyle who are best friends serving during the late stages of the Vietnam War. They serve off of the coast of North Vietnam. Santy is a pilot of an A-7 Corsair attack bomber and regularly flies bombing missions over North Vietnam. Boyle flies a Sikorsky HH-3A Sea King Combat SAR helicopter. His job is to rescue downed pilots, both in the water and in North Vietnam.
The book is a pretty typical war story novel featuring pilots reminding me quite a bit of Stephen Coonts' earlier novel Flight of the Intruder. The story is solid. There is plenty of detail and jargon but not so much that the reader is overwhelmed...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2013/...
October 10, 2013
It's cliché to say that an author "puts you in the cockpit" but Gerry Carroll "puts you in the cockpit" the rescue scenes (especially the first)are intense as any ever written.
June 19, 2015
Did not like.DNF
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews