About The Blades Carry Me
JAMES WEATHERILL SERVED AS AN ARMY HELICOPTER PILOT IN VIETNAM FROM NOVEMBER 1967 TO NOVEMBER 1968. HIS MEMOIR, THE BLADES CARRY ME: INSIDE THE HELICOPTER WAR IN VIETNAM, TAKES THE READER INTO THE CH-47 CHINOOK HELICOPTER AND THE DAILY LIFE OF A 22-YEAR-OLD PILOT.
THE YOUNG MAN MUST RECONCILE HIS IDEALS OF PATRIOTISM, COURAGE, AND HONOR WITH THE REALITY AND POLITICS OF A WAR WHERE VICTORY IS MEASURED BY BODY-COUNT RATIOS INSTEAD OF TERRITORY GAINED OR LOST. WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO HOME, HE REALIZES HE'LL LEAVE MORE THAN WAR BEHIND.
ON THE HOME FRONT, THE PILOT'S WIFE, ANNIE, PROVIDES A COUNTERPOINT AS A PREGNANT COLLEGE SENIOR AND MILITARY SPOUSE DURING AN UNPOPULAR WAR. WITH LETTERS AND TAPE RECORDINGS THEIR SOLE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, HOW WILL THEY GROW UP WITHOUT GROWING APART?
