MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
I'm Alive is the compelling diary of Lieutenant Junior Grade Errol F. Reilly, a 26-year-old US Navy fighter pilot, written aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea during his first combat cruise in Vietnam. In writing that is colorful, perceptive, and at times both humorous and heartbreaking, "Rile" chronicles his daily experiences "living, playing, and fighting" within the context of the Navy's fledgling air war. Covering the period from December 1964 to October 1965, I'm Alive details an untested F-8 Crusader pilot's personal journey from "nugget" aviator to seasoned combat professional. Reilly's feelings quickly change from patriotic enthusiasm to frustrated disillusionment as he begins to experience the realities of deadly air combat over Vietnam. His keen observations provide rare insights into the evolving strategies and tactics of the US Navy. With historical context and explanatory notes provided by the editors, I'm Alive offers a bold, unfiltered narrative of the earliest stages of the air war in Vietnam, and a fascinating personal account of friendship, war, and triumph over adversity.
Format(s) for review: Kindle Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Pages/Word count: 209 / 66,450
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