Jake Grafton #1: Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coonts (1987) Ex Libris

A smash bestseller that spent over six months on the New York Times bestseller list, FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER became an instant classic. No one before or since ever captured the world of Navy carrier pilots with the gripping realism of Vietnam veteran Stephen Coonts, who lived the life he wrote about. More than a flying story, FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER is also one of the best novels ever written about the Vietnam experience. It’s all here–the flying, the dying, the blood and bombs and bullets, and the sheer joy–and terror–of life at full throttle.”GRIPPING…SMASHING.”? The Wall Street JournalGrazing the Vietnam treetops at night at just under the speed of sound, A-6 Intruder pilot Jake “Cool Hand” Grafton knows exactly how precarious life is. Landing on a heaving aircraft carrier, dodging missiles locked on his fighter, flying through clouds of flak–he knows each flight could be his last. Yet he straps himself into a cockpit every day.”EXTRAORDINARY!”– Tom ClancyThen a bullet kills his bombardier while they’re hitting another ‘suspected’ truck depot. Jake wonders what his friend died for–and why? Hitting pointless targets selected by men piloting desks just doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s time to do something worthwhile. Something that will make a difference…”SUPERBLY WRITTEN.”? Washington TimesJake and his new bombardier, ice-cold Tiger Cole, are going to pick their own target and hit the enemy where it hurts. But to get there and back in one piece is going to take a lot of nerve, even more skill, and an incredible amount of raw courage. Before it’s over, they’re going to fly into hell.”When Grafton is at the controls of his Intruder, the novel comes alive with a jolt.”? Washington Post Book World