4 out of 4 stars
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Pachyderms, by Danny Buoy, is a war novel based on a true story, and it features Dan Coobat, a young American man, as the focal character. Coobat, a college graduate, joined the United States Army, and after basic training, as an infantryman, he was attached to the military aviation unit to serve as a flight operations specialist. Later, he and some other army personnel were deployed to South Vietnam to work with an assault helicopter company.
This well-written narrative unveils the high value the United States Army places on paperwork. Sincerely, before now, I didn't know they do a lot of documentation. This book has opened my eyes to how the military aviation unit operates. Also, it has informed me of how the pilots and aircraft are assigned. Though I found it difficult to grasp some of the acronyms used, the narration has a fast-paced and suspenseful plot. The premise is very appealing.
If you're not a fan of war stories, the description of the war events and aviation activities might bore you. Hence, I strongly advise you to steer clear of this book. Nevertheless, it'll be a pleasurable read for fans of the genre because it's realistic, compelling, and action-packed. The conversations are interesting and humorous occasionally.
Furthermore, the book reveals the soldiers' daily lives in the camp and offices. It tells about their experiences while they were off-duty. For example, their crazy R&R (rest and recuperation) adventures. Through the protagonist's eyes, I could see how the American Military Aviation Unit was involved in the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Besides, they showed the anxiety the military personnel felt when their airplanes, helicopters, and camp were attacked by the enemy. In spite of it all, the soldiers remained devoted and carried out their duties efficiently.
Every character in this narrative is described in depth. The author provided enough detail for each persona to facilitate relatability. Coobat and his colleagues-cum-friends in the operations unit are high-spirited, and I enjoyed reading about them. I was impressed by their serious concern for the wellbeing of one another. They ensured that, no matter what, they stuck together.
Overall, the book is engaging and enlightening. It's vividly narrated and well edited. I didn't find any grammatical and typographical errors. This war story was a worthwhile read for me, and therefore, I have no choice but to rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I didn't find any reason to give it a lower rating.
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Pachyderms
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