Rating: 
Summary: An "Old Warhorse" Turned "Nightingale"
Review: "Flying" has been described as "a period of continual euphoria interrupted by moments of sheer terror". "DUSTOFF flying" would approach the antithesis. This book vividly captures the intrinsic unconventionality of "DUSTOFF helicopter flying" in a masterful and dazzling detail that I'd not yet read, describing mission after "hairy" mission to extract casualties from the battlefield, simply in essence, the DUSTOFF mission. It takes the reader along as it highlights the continual struggles, weariness and adversity encountered by DUSTOFF units and crews as they struggled to meet ever increasing demands on their aviation resources as well as those physical and mental inflicted by the enemy. It also frankly and and factually highlights struggles encountered on another front, sadly and incomprehensibly, that eminating from a higher headquarters which operated from within a "state-side" environment, generating the all too voluminous "state-side" reports, ceremonies, VIP accords, et al, and command inspections, cavalierly administered inconsiderate of the relentless demands on the DUSTOFF units and crews in the midst of battle, somewhat akin to what might be equated to a scenario wherin Inspector General (IG) inspectors await on the shores of Normandy to administer their "unannounced". The Vietnam related pages offer galvinizing excitement to a book that is equally exciting in a vein of the life of on old aviator war horse, truly a captivating journey of an aviator exraordinaire from the cockpits of WWII Army Air Corps B-24's, B-29's, B-17's, in the skies over Korea, flying the "Sneaky Petes" in the Dominican Republic, an airline pilot, two tours in Vietnam to flying the "Golden Eagles" parachute team. Touchingly intertwined throughout is the life of an old aviator war horse's dedication to family, an extraordinary wife who was obviously his "wind beneath my wings" and great kids, one of whom eventually came to join him in Vietnam combat.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: I am currently serving my country as a crew chief in the U.S. army. I read Mr. Novosels book because he a legend. There is not a person that is in Army Aviation today that has not heard of Mr. Novosel. This is why I read his book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like reading his own personal journal or diary. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Novosel a few years ago and felt honored when he shook my hand. The word hero and Novosel go hand in hand. This past summer I read Tom Brokaw's "Then next Generation" and Novosel is the epitamy of what Mr. Brokaw wrote in his book. Typical of the "Next Generation" Novosel in no way takes all the credit for all his heroic efforts in his 2 tours of vietnam. He acknowledges the "bit players" because they helped him save over 5000 lives. I'm kinda upset after reading the review from the guy from Washington state. I have no idea where he is coming from with his comments. He obviously bought the wrong book, but to blame Mr. Novosel an American hero is preposterous to me... Granted, he is no W.E.B. Griffin but who besides the man himself is?
Rating:
Summary: The Real Story by a Real Hero!
Review: I know Mike Novosel, and this book is HIS story. Mike wrote every word of this book. This is a rare event in today,s world of ghost writers who never quite are able to capture the spirit of their subject. Mike is a little guy (without a Napoleon complex) who served his nation during three wars. His story from World War II to his retirement in 1985, when he was the last pilot on active duty from WWII, is well known to thousands of Air Force and Army aviators who know him as the "Dean of Dustoff Pilots." It may not be the smooth, commercial product of books such as Tom Clancy's recent Every Man a Tiger starrring General Chuck Horner, but there are many lessons for everyone who has to overcome challenges. Mike Novosel is like the little engine who could...and he did! To the reviewer from Seattle, Mike did not use one government form, it all came from his heart. Send the book to me(see my email) and I will gladly buy it because there will be dozens of people who will truly appreciate Mike's efforts.
Rating:
Summary: First time I ever got chills from a paperback...
Review: I picked this book up on a sale rack while waiting for a flight. After sitting down with it, I put it down for a total of maybe 5 minutes from cover to cover, and that was out of sheer necessity. For having led such an amazing life, the author has such an easy, flowing writing style that you get the impression he were relaying the entire account over a few beers at some smoky enlisted club. Even more striking is the level of modesty with which Novosel recalls his time, a rarity in the military as anyone who's been in knows! Thankfully missing is melodrama and hollywood, which leaves the real excitement to stand for itself. All in all a fantastic read. You don't meet people like this guy every day (if ever!). I can't recommend this book enough.
Rating:
Summary: No greater Love hath a man than this
Review: I recently met and talked with Mr. Novosel (11 Feb 00). He is a truly kind and humble individual. He was kind enough to share with me the MEDEVAC mission responsible for his C.M.O.H. I admit that this first-hand story telling is more interesting than the book; however, the book also does it justice. As a military member myself, I found his book "required" reading. In my eyes this man is a true military hero. I only hope all service members rise to the occasion when faced with the decisions Mr. Novosel had to make. If you are military...buy this book. Non-military...buy this book to see how one individual went "beyond the call of duty" to save fellow soldiers, husbands, sons, fathers, uncles,...and the list goes on. Many families...and America...are indebted to Mr. Novosel. God Bless
Rating:
Summary: Excellant Book
Review: I think the book was a real eye opener for me. I was just a little girl when the war was on. I remember watching the news every nite with Waltor Cronkite. Allways watching the helicopters that were shot down wondering if that was my father or my brother. I think that it was an unusually different circumstance that they flew together, being that they were father & son.They do not make men like they used to. I enjoyed the book and I could not put it down. Thank-you Dad, for sharing your life with us on the printed page. My Dad and brother were not just father & son but they were conrads in the war.....I am waiting for the next book. JeanneeV
Rating:
Summary: No Dust Here
Review: Michael Novosel's resume is impressive -- the Congressional Medal of Honor and a military career spanning four decades, plus side ventures as a restaurateur and airline pilot. All this in spite of being the son of immigrants, suffering from glaucoma, and never quite reaching the 5' 4" minimum height requirement for an Army aviator. (And in spite of a military bureaucracy which was as capricious as ususal.) *Dustoff* is his memoir, clearly written in his own way, and that's part of what makes it such a great story. About the only disappointment is that Novosel passes over the story of how he switched from fixed-wing to rotary-wing. But his tales of teaching his son the art of autorotation or learning how to drive Jeep (after being made the base commander) are unforgettable. All told in a very droll understated way, including the harrowing mission that won him the Medal of Honor. Not to be missed, *Dustoff* is real antidote to the era of reality TV. No one ever told Michael Novosel "go get a life".
Rating:
Summary: DUSTOFF
Review: Mike Novosel is a fine man. I'm glad to have met him while getting my book completed. He flew on his second tour in the same area of the Delta that I did, just a year later than my tour in 1966-67. I was at Vinh Long with the 175th Outlaws and very proud of my unit. Mike's unit was the 82nd Med. Evac. and very famous in its own right. They were stationed at Soc Trang during my tour and then moved to Binh Thuy during Mr. Novosel's second visit to RVN. This is a very distinguished man, whose career is one of the richest experiences in Army Aviation. Anyone who knows the story of this Medal of Honor winner is glad to have made the acquaintance. This is the right book to have on the medevac helicopter operations from Saigon throughout the IV Corps. Buy it, and add it to your collection of Army Aviation stories.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: Mr. Novosel isn't a professional writer. Therefore, his book doesn't read like some Hollywood glamour novel. However, his book is one of the best accounts of a real soldier doing his job. After meeting Mr. Novosel, I realized that his book reads almost as if he is there recalling the experiences to you personally. I was captivated from the first page, finding it difficult to find a stopping point (okay, I'll read just one more chapter). For anyone interested in military related books, medevac crews or a great memoir, this is a must-read. Well worth a hard cover for your collection.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: Mr. Novosel isn't a professional writer. Therefore, his book doesn't read like some Hollywood glamour novel. However, his book is one of the best accounts of a real soldier doing his job. After meeting Mr. Novosel, I realized that his book reads almost as if he is there recalling the experiences to you personally. I was captivated from the first page, finding it difficult to find a stopping point (okay, I'll read just one more chapter). For anyone interested in military related books, medevac crews or a great memoir, this is a must-read. Well worth a hard cover for your collection.
| 
