Goodbye, My Darling; Hello, Vietnam!

Enjoyed this personal account of the author life and development into an example of a first date combat chopper pilot. I have read a number of such stories and this one is the most entertaining. My congratulations, well done. Might want to give writing a shot you have a gift. Thank you for your Service and may God bless.

As a grunt during the Vietnam War, we held chopper crews in the highest of esteem - always there when needed and seemingly fearless in their endeavors. I have read dozens of books about these crews and learned more about what they endure during their tours. It was a difficult time! God Bless them all!I read the author's prior book, "We Gotta Get Out of this Place...", a compilation of short stories and events by those who served with Mr. Lazares during his first tour in Vietnam. I enjoyed the story and looked forward to reading "Goodbye, My Darling; Hello Vietnam" as it is more of a memoir of his personal life and experiences. I was not disappointed and immensely enjoyed this new story. The author is witty and writes with humorous overtones; my wife observed me laughing out loud several times.It seemed like Michael had a mischievous streak throughout childhood that continues and follows him through two tours of duty in Vietnam. Helicopter missions were long and stressful and oftentimes filled with surprises. When the day is over, pilots needed to unwind and usually did so at their private Officers Club. Pranks and mischief are common - nobody is immune to these antics, and even though a person is injured at times, the games continue. Booze is rampant, used in a medicinal way so these officers can sleep during the night - unconscious and unaware of their surroundings. My favorite antic is Michael's light switch trick with the commanding officer in the bar - priceless!Mr. Lazares is a skilled pilot, and as a result, oftentimes is assigned to the most dangerous missions. Some of those experiences may take your breath away. Others, may cause tears. I consider myself right there with him in the cockpit, screaming at times, but enjoying the scenery he has painted. Leadership is also questioned...when rotten apples sit at the top of the pile, it endangers all the others. Michael shares his unfortunate experiences with some of these supposed leaders.All in all, I found "Goodbye, My Darling; Hello, Vietnam" humorous, educational and entertaining. I would have given five stars had it not been for the formatting errors and excessive typos, but if you are able to look past this, the book is an easy read and difficult to put down. Welcome Home Sir! Thank you for your service!John Podlaski, authorCherries - A Vietnam War Novel

One of the best books on a service mans tour of duty. follow his day to day exploits fRom flying to just having as good of a time as a soldier could, with out getting caught by his higher ups. What could they do ,send him to Vietnam. Buy it ,its worth it.

I’ve read way too many accounts of the Vietnam War experience. But nevertheless, I keep reading them. It was, after all, my generation’s war.After reading so many, I can categorize these books in five ways. 1) Competent histories that relate the facts as the historian sees them but rarely include first-hand narratives from grunts on the ground. 2) Competent accounts from those who were there, some quite eloquent like Philip Caputo’s “A Rumor of War.” 3) Accounts written by those who were there which aren’t really that well-written but are nevertheless informative and entertaining. 4) Accounts written by those who were there but celebrate the author’s ego, perhaps narcissism, and immaturity. 5) Accounts that come from the author’s imagination, untrue histories that come from folks who may or may not have been there.I’ve placed Michael Lazares’ account in the fourth category. It’s a decent read. But it rubs raw. When you juxtapose his immature and irresponsible antics against what other soldiers and Marines were experiencing on the ground in that nasty war from which so many didn’t come home whole or alive, three stars may be stretching it.

Written well and in a way that allows you to put yourself in the author’s environment. I enjoyed his account of the war, camaraderie, and army life. Thanks for sharing your story and thank you for your service!

Not just another helicopter story. Okay, it is another helicopter story, but there was so much more than other books. Like sending empty shell casings onto the neck of a cherry pilot. Never read about that. And there was more. Have to read it to find out.

A very good biography from living on the wild side to growing up with hard decisions and how the Military is a positive influence on someone's life. I extend my sincere gratitude and respect to Mr Lazares for his service BUT to more important my heart felt thanks to Heelena for standing next to her Warrior. God Bless!

As a combat veteran serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Sep. in Vietnam from 4/1967-4/1968, the authors numerous stories brought smiles and some sadness. Hueys were our taxi to the next op, our postal delivery vehicle, our rare "hot chow" meal delivery service, our emergency ambulance when often needed, our ammo and other much needed supplies delivery service, and our limo back to "civilization". They brought us in and they took us out (Hueys & Chinooks), and the gun ships saved our butts a hundred times over. The "Cowboys" and the "Caspers" of the 335th Aviation Unit flew for the 173rd. They were fantastic pilots who could make a chopper do some amazing manouvers, and they were always there when you needed them. They took some very heavy looses along with the 173rd during the "Battle for Dak To" in November 1967. Those aviators were a brave bunch of crazy guys; they deserve all the gratitude and honor that could be awarded to them and their unit. If you are a Nam vet, this book should be a good read for you. It will bring back memories just like the unmistakable sound of a Huey still does today.

I was so looking forward to reading this title. However, it did dissapoint. Perhaps it was just too long but the author, who had phnominal experiences to relate ended up boring me. Wherever he was , he relates the antics of himself and his bunch of friends as if he was the original 'Mr Cool' and everyone else was hanging on his every word and action. Nothing wrong about the vietnam tales he had to tell but the author just always appeared to be above everyone else. Whether it was flying or relating about life back in the US airbases.Sorry, whilst I did read it all, I lost all empathy for the author by the end of the book. I couldnt care less!

It was good to read a bit about the background of the author before plunging into his time in Vietnam as it gave a better understanding of where he came from and his attitudes and upbringing. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Fantastic book, very humerous, enjoyed it so much I have subsequebtly purchased all this authors books.

Very good book I like how Mr Lazares writes and has a very intertesting past

Michael is very modest when it comes to his skills as a helicopter pilot. He tells it straight with humour and sadness. His life has been quite colourful.