We Stand Alone: A Vietnam War Novel (The Airmen Series Book 3) Kindle Edition

Tom Coyle is a former U.S. Army Air Corps pilot and veteran of World War Two and U.S. Air Force veteran pilot of the Korean War. Like many vets, he struggles to find his way in the future. When his longtime friend and pilot Jim 'Earthquake McGoon' McGovern approaches him about flying for the French who are fighting the Viet Minh, Tom is reluctant."It's just flying cargo supplies and troops, Tom," McGoon tells him. "No combat! And the money's great."Tom agrees to sign on to fly for the French, who do pay well and are in desperate need of pilots. Tom's reluctance soon dissipates upon meeting French journalist, Brigitte Friang, a modern 20th Century woman determined to make a name of her place in a then-man's world. But Tom's attraction for Brigitte does not go unnoticed by her former lover and protector, Major Bruno Bigeard, a tough-as-nails paratrooper.When Bruno is ordered to take his unit and defend the French garrison at Dien Bien Phu, matters are complicated when Brigitte comes along to write their story. Tom flying the plane taking them does not help the friction between Brigitte's two courters. When the Viet Minh strike the French garrison in one of history's most pivotal battles ever, the three realize they must put personal feelings aside and focus on surviving what becomes a battle no one ever dreamed possible.I enjoy historical fiction and this novel by David Lee Corley is one of the best I've read. He blends real-life persons of the time (circa 1954) with fictional characters in such a way I was hard-pressed to determine which was fact vs. which was fiction. His attention to detail and respect for both sides of the First Indochina War does not go unnoticed. The author did his research and his ability to captivate the reader is unmatched. I bought all 6 books in the Airmen Series before I even finished Book 1, and now I'm looking forward to the quiet time in the morning with a cup of coffee and a fine number of books to read.Keep on reading!David Lucero

I liked this book because it covered an epic battle from both sides. It was exciting to read and well written.

1953, Hanoi, China. A French General intends to end the Indochina war. 15,000 parachute troops go into Vietnam as a decoy.Tom Coyle (American pilot) flies for the French AF.His contract is somewhat misleading.Thinks don’t go as planned & he meets Brigitte Friang (French war correspondent).They soon begin a romance.The Viet Minh forces could change both their lives.I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written Indochina War historical book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great Indochina War movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.Thank you for the free author; Bookzio; Telos LLC; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; bookTony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

I continue to read his stories he says it is a fictional truth his writing is so compelling I wonder what is truth from the fictional part. Can't stop reading this series

Overall I enjoyed the book. The author has a good writing style and includes a lot of interesting detail but, unfortunately, I'm a stickler for historical accuracy and he deviates from the true history of the battle of DBP on many occasions, including the roles of some of the historical characters. Colonel Gaucher was not killed on Strongpoint Beatrice. He was the commander of Mobile Group 9. He was killed by artillery in his bunker in the main position, not far from the main CP. Marcel Bigeard, the legendary French officer, did not remain in the French bastion throughout the entire battle as the author suggests. He and his 6 BPC departed in early December but returned a few days after the initial assault by the Viet Minh on 13 March. His capture, according to at least four sources about Dien Bien Phu that I've read, was nothing like what was depicted in the book. Brigitte Friang, the French journalist, also did not spend that much time at Dien Bien Phu. She departed long before the final Viet Minh assault. I've been to Dien Bien Phu. The mine that was exploded beneath Strongpoint Eliane 2 did not take off the entire top of the position but there is a crater on the side of the hill. The Viet Minh sappers did not tunnel far enough. Strongpoint Isabelle was 7 kilometers south of the main position, not 4. All the escape attempts at the end of the battle went south and west, not north through the main airfield as depicted in the novel. That makes no sense. Also, the pilot known as McGoon was shot down after re-supplying Isabelle, not the main position. And not mentioned were the 3,000+ internal deserters from the French forces. The infamous Rats of the Nam Youm. Also, hundreds of both Viet Minh and French Union Forces were buried together in the trench that ran along Route 41 that is now the main road that runs through modern day Dien Bien Phu. Just an aside.I still liked the novel despite my personal criticisms. I would get the next one set in Algeria.

This tome is a sterling account Of the French defeat at Down Ben Phu. The author author writes very well and incorporated many details of the true history. This is one of those occasions when fiction captures the truth of a story.

This is a good read for all of those interested in the History of Vietnam. The writer does a good job depicting the characters and the time.

Being from the generation of the Vietnam War in the late '60s it was interesting to finally learn what happened before the US got involved.

Good read

If you are into historic novels about epic events in the "resent" past, this is a book too read. Loved it

I am an avid reader of Vietnam and therefore found this book rather slow and dull. Points for trying to create conversations between historical figures but spoilt by being long winded and I had a feeling that the words were more the authors thoughts than the real characters thoughts. Also the old "colonials bad, communists good" being dragged out which is always ironic when one considers that the Americans (through the CIA and their proxies) have been one of the worst empire builders ever. Having spent several decades in communist countries, I am sure that there were plenty of volunteer coolies but no mention is made of the thousands that were pressed ganged by the Viets. Unfortunately after reading Max Hastings "Vietnam", Bernard Fall's books and Martin Windrow (The Last Valley) I did not enjoy this at all.By the way whoever told you that you spike a mortar by dropping a bomb down the tube with a rock on top of it, was having you on!