Above All

MWSA Review

In John W. Huffman's novel, Above All, Army helicopter pilot and rebel, Lt. John Joseph Sharpe leads his gang of degenerates into air assaults, orgies, and shenanigans much to the chagrin of his commanding officers. Huffman's frolicsome novel depicts behind-the-scenes and between-the-sheets action in Vietnam to which few people were privy. This book is sure to speak to professional pilots, military and commercial alike.

Captain Randall Hess would like nothing more than to live out the remainder of his commitment to the Army ROTC writing heart-felt letters to his wife and hiding behind a desk, but Sharpe has other ideas. While many soldiers are packing up and heading home, Sharpe and the rest of the Red Platoon are breaking all the rules to seek out hot zones and hot romps with beautiful nurses - no matter what the cost. However, as Hess begins to see Sharpe's antics are saving soldiers' lives, he stands behind his platoon and stands up to the Major, who is dead-set in seeing Sharpe dishonorably discharged.

John W. Huffman's painstakingly descriptive accounts bring home the sordid reality of playboy heroes fighting for survival in a dying war.

Reviewed by: Sandra Miller Linhart (2014)

Author's Summary

Above All is a lighthearted action-adventure historical fiction set in the waning stages of the Vietnam War which pits a consummate warrior against the political strangulation that rendered our armed forces virtually incompetent. It is a comical but sordid tale of a roguish gunship pilot and his nemesis, a petty commanding officer, who loathe each other at first sight. As fierce adversaries, they encompass the chaos of that era accompanied by a coven of nurses and a clandestine army of misfits who portray the best-and worst-of our country during that painful event. Their saga is one of love and lust, hope and despair, valor and cowardice, awash in a deluge of demoralizing apathy as they face the bitter ending of the conflict.