Xin Loi, Viet Nam: Thirty-One Months of War: A Soldier's Memoir

This is a gritty, realistic look at all aspects of the helicopter war in Vietnam. Al Sever is a decorated soldier who volunteered for some of the most hazardous duty in Vietnam. It's nice to get a look at what it was like for an enlisted man to fly on a Gunship in Vietnam. Thanks Mr. Sever for giving us this inspiring look into your service.

The author, a true American hero who did more than his job since a reenlisted for a second tour, gives the reader thrilling accounts of how dangerous the job was. Being a lateral gun shooter in a Huey was certainly not a comfortable and no-risk involvement. I rank this book as one of the very good ones written on the Vietnam war. The comments posted by ex-soldiers who knew the author in action are nice and totally relevant. They know what it was then. Have a nice reading. I invite you to read also "Firebirds: The Best First Person Account of Helicopter Combat in Vietnam Ever Written" by Chuck Carlock.

I honestly don't like giving my fellow Vietnam warriors five stars. We've all had so many rose petals and awards placed in our paths throughout the years, I worry about overdoing it. Still, Al Sever gets five from me simply because he's a Vietnam veteran who has somehow given up drugs and killing babies long enough to write a book, a good book. Hell, I flew some 1100 hours in the war and I didn't know that, "It's a lot easier hitting small targets if the AC watches the target through the chin bubble at his feet and gives the command to drop the grenade. Leaning out the door to the left while moving forward makes it difficult to be accurate when you throw the grenade." If I ever get my hands on a helicopter and a buddy to drop the grenade, I'll remember this when we get to Washington. Sever's book, "Xin LOI, Viet Nam" is what I call an energetic, entertaining, and crisply written book. I'm Bob Miller, author of "Kill Me If You Can, You SOB" (hint).

Al Sever is a unique individual. In his book, he credits me by name for training him as a crewchief. He writes as if my training intensity was somehow special or above the call of duty. I didn't think of it that way. I thought of it as doing what I could to survive, and to help my brothers survive. It was frankly comforting to me to know that the crewchief in the gunship behind me knew what he was doing when he covered our tail. And he did. The only thing that he did wrong was to volunteer for a second tour in Viet Nam. And that brings me to his uniqueness. Al survived his second tour both physically and for the most part, psychologically. Most of the men who re-upped for a second tour didn't get back in one piece. I'm glad he did because he wrote a helluva book with an incredible memory for details. I honor him for his service and for his insights into the politics and sadness of that war. Every detail is true for the period we served together in '68 and '69 flying out of Cu Chi. Xin Loi, Viet Nam is loaded with ironies and the title carries the most. Read the book.

Having served 12 months as a door gunner in 1965-1966 with the 1st Cav Div, I know a little bit about being a door gunner. This book is very realistic in what it portrays. I am amazed at the author's memory. His discriptions of everyday events are remarkably true to life. I highly recommend this book for the Veteran or anyone who wants to know how it feels to be a Veteran.