What Every Parent Should Know About Pinewood Derby Cars and More

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Hmmmm..... Vaguely Useful

The least useful pinewood derby booklet on the market

I wish I'd known...

A pamphlet.

What Every Parent Should Know About Pinewood Derby Cars and More
Thad Marvin , and Andrew T. Marvin
Manufacturer: Andrew Thad Marvin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0966403401

Book Description

The intent of this book is to give parents and pinecar enthusiasts proven facts which will help them to improve the speed of pinewood derby cars.

Like many other people I wanted to know the facts about pinewood derby cars. Being a helpful parent I listened to many opinions and tried to use other people's experience to help my son with his car. The results were poor. My son didn't do any better. I believe that efforts should be rewarded and so out of frustration I turned to my engineering skills to find out what really did and what really didn't help the speed of a pinewood derby car.

This book details the results of this testing. This book identifies five factors which will improve the speed of a pinewood derby car. The factors are placed in order of importance so if you are a parent without much time, you can focus on the most important factors. Instructions have been kept simple and illustrations are included to help parents with minimal experience attain success. The required tools to make necessary adjustments are also minimal.

Customer Reviews:

Hmmmm..... Vaguely Useful.......2001-12-26

There are about three good ideas in this book (pamphlet). The whole thing is about 20 pages long. A quarter of that is drawings.

For the price, it is an ok buy.

The least useful pinewood derby booklet on the market.......2001-09-23

Our family has purchased every available pinewood derby booklet on the market. Out of this collection "What Every Parent Should Know About Pinewood Derby Cars and More" is the least valuable booklet. The booklet is confusing, incomplete, and would steer a new car builder in the wrong direction. [....]

I wish I'd known..........2001-02-09

This book is an excellent guide for both beginner and advanced pinewood derby enthusiast. Although compact, it offers information consistent with the discoveries I made after years of racing (and winning). Any first time racer will benefit enormously from the information found in this book. Advanced racers will also find some interesting new techniques to try. If you want to win, this book is money well spent. I wish I would have read it before building my first car!

A pamphlet........2000-05-17

This booklet is very small indeed, being a mere 11 pages. In it, the author covers a couple of unique, possibly effective techniques for increasing the speed of a Pinewood Derby car. He claims that tests bear out his conclusions, but does not give any indication of what the test results actually were. Overall, this book gives far too little to warrant the purchase.

Book Description

Over decades of conflict in Vietnam, Hue, the former imperial capital, had been spared. But everything changed on January 31, 1968, the eve of the lunar new year—a national holiday long marked by a mutual ceasefire—when the North Vietnamese launched a massive offensive. In the cataclysm of violence that convulsed South Vietnam during the now-infamous Tet Offensive, Hue was overrun—and the only forces available to counterattack were a handful of Marine infantry companies based eight miles south of the city.

This photographic history chronicles the savage battle that followed as, for four excruciating weeks, the Marines of Task Force X-Ray fought house to house and street by street to retake the city so central to the Vietnamese culture and psyche. Through photographs taken in the heat of the action, readers will follow one of the war’s most important campaigns, as ground gained is measured in painstaking inches and every alley, every street corner, every window might be the last.

Customer Reviews:

Epic potrait of the battle of Hue.......2007-05-13

MARINES IN HUE CITY is an outstanding book and with its many detailed photos gives the reader a never before seen insight in the brutal battle of the city of Hue in 1968.

This book provides the reader with a detailed pictorial history of the Marines who took part in the fighting. Almost like a diary of war. With its many explanations and maps this book take the reader to a excellent level of history and knowledge. I does not only tell the story of the Marines in picutes but also the story of the men behind the camera.

The book contain not only pictures and the story of the battle but also a detailed background of the part of Viet Nam war that lead up to the battle and the Tet offensive.

Sometimes you can almost feel the battle seen through the camera lens. Short seconds of life and death captured in a frozen moment for the rest of us to watch for ever. To learn and not to forget.

Marines in Hue City.......2007-03-08

This is the most comprehensive photo portrait of the Battle for Hue City in print; with an accurate description in words of the conflict. All veterans of this Tet 1968 battle should have a copy as well as any library that covers military history.

Fire in the Streets: The Battle for Hue Tet 1968

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A Place in History
A Battle that has earned it place in History
A trip back in time . . .
I was a radioman attached to the Fifth Marines

Fire in the Streets: The Battle for Hue Tet 1968
Eric Hammel
Manufacturer: Pacifica Press (CA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0935553185

Customer Reviews:

A Place in History.......2000-12-02

I was one of those corporals that Eric Hammel mentions on page 303 who served as a platoon commander of Bravo 1/5. Mr. Hammel has meticulously constructed a book that is an enjoyable read and an important one for everyone who wants to understand what it was like to participate at the front line. It is, I believe, an important body of information in the history of the war in Viet Nam.

Hue was a unique battle in Viet Nam and "Fire in the Streets" is the best, most informative, most complete, and, from what I know, the most accurate description of the events before, during and after the event. I say this from the perspective of someone who not only lived the battle but has read every book on the subject that I can find. I think any student of this war can better understand the grunt's perspective of Hue and Viet Nam after reading this book.

I need to point out, however, that Lance Corporal Paul Cheatwood (page 286) was a mortarman with Bravo Company, not Charlie. I was his squad leader at the time of the ambush described. I had passed through the ambush when the machine gun opened up and I was forced to take cover between a dead pig and a concrete wall about 24 inches high. Everytime I moved I could hear bullets thudding into the pig and bouncing off the concrete. I had taken bullet fragments in my hand and one of my associates, for reasons that escape me, popped a CS (tear gas) canister upwind. I was considerably distressed by my situation and not coming up with a plan when I heard Cheatwood yell, "I see them!" He stood up firing his M-16. When it ran out of ammo he picked up another M-16 and walked deliberatly toward the ambush firing into the soldiers there. When the second M-16 ran out of ammo he pulled two grenades off his vest and threw them into the building. When they exploded he leaned in with a .45 and made certain that they had gone on to their reward.

Further, and more incredibly, Cheatwood didn't lead a patrol, as outlined on page 289. As the rest of us dragged the wounded to safety he gathered up all of the hand grenades he could carry and went BY HIMSELF, on his own initiative, behind enemy lines and personally inflicted some serious damage on the NVA. His courageous actions and self-sacrifice bought us enough time to get our act together.

The ambush put us in a very precarious position and, had the enemy counterattacked, we would easily have been overrun. I believe they didn't because of Cheatwood's one-man assault. Several of us put Cheatwood in for a Congressional Medal of Honor and I am, to this day, chagrined that he did not get it. Paul Cheatwood suffered permanent, grievous disabilities from the injuries that he suffered that day. I personally believe that he was denied the Medal of Honor because he was an enlisted man recommended by enlisted men. He deserves everything the Medal of Honor represents and it is a great shame that he did not get it.

One way or the other, the men of Bravo 1/5 owe Cheatwood a great deal.

However, this is about "Fire in the Streets." I am personally grateful to Eric Hammel for his book. It provides a level of recognition and dignity to those of us who fought in Hue and I urge anyone who is reading this to read the book. It's complete, its well done, and its important.

Mark Mead (former sergeant, USMC Bravo 1/5) soltura@hotmail.com

A Battle that has earned it place in History.......1999-12-20

I'm proud to be able to say that I my unit supported the 1st and 5th Marines in this historic battle.

The battle would make a great movie. I would love to see Stephen Speilberg tell this story on film.

The book was outstanding, I loved it

A trip back in time . . ........1999-03-17

Like a Time Machine, Fire in the Streets catapulted me 31 years back into the battle for Hue City. Eric Hammel's account is a historical, vividly accurate account of what every Marine would surely describe as their time in hell. It certainly was mine. Mr. Hammel's research enabled me to know the why's and the where's of my unit's activities, and gave me a much broader understanding of what the grunt Marine accomplished in the month long house to house fight. This is an excellent book!

Dennis Freed, Lima 3/5 WIA 2/24/68 - Hue City

I was a radioman attached to the Fifth Marines.......1997-07-08

I was temporarily assigned to the Fifth Marine Regiment Combat Control Center from my parent unit - the 7th Comm Battalion. I was not supposed to be involved in the kind of infantry fighting that took place there. My job was to work at the Regimental level in combat net communications but the intensity of the battle in Hue City changed all of that. I went in with Hotel Company on the first of February and came out with what was left of it on the 25th. My regret to this day is that I was not a permanent member of Hotel company, just temporarily assigned. Shortly after the battle, I was moved on by 7th Comm to another assignment. This book is absolutely accurate in its record of the fighting in Hue. It is incredible that Hammel could achieve the detail he did. Anyone wanting an explicit description of the fiercest battle and longest battle of the Vietnam War should read this book. Anyone studying the Vietnam War or The General Uprising should read this book. Absolutely the best.

Average customer rating:

Nolan Matches His Best Works Again
lack info on the NVA/VC
Battle for Hue: Tet 1968
Vivid description of house-to-house fighting in Hue city.
A GRIPPING TESTIMONY OF THE FIGHT FOR HUE CITY

Battle for Hue: Tet 1968
Keith Nolan
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0891415920
Release Date: 1996-06-01

Book Description

An excellent history of what may well have been the most savage, sustained combat the Marine Corps saw in Vietnam.

Customer Reviews:

Nolan Matches His Best Works Again.......2002-10-17

The latest read I've experienced from Keith Nolan, Tet 1968 gave me an understanding I never got from text books or movies. I felt that I was there, and understood how the grunts felt. I have read most of Nolan's other works and find this to be a deserving addition. My next is Into Laos/Lam Son 719, which I was finally able to track down after four years. I expect more of the same realism, unwavering accuracy, and action filled narrative that I did in Tet 1968.

lack info on the NVA/VC.......2000-07-31

This author shows lack of knowledge about the North Vietnamese and Vc troops who fought at Hue. This lack of knowledge means that the readers have no clue of why the battle Hue lasted for several weeks.

According to two recently publish Communist books: "Hue, Spring 1968, Ban Nghien Cuu Dang[the Communist Party Research committee], Hue, 1988" and the "Tck-tkn [General offensive-General Uprising 1968, Ban Nghien Cuu Dang[the Communist Party Research committee], Ho Chi Minh City, 1988". The Nva/Vc troops in Hue consist of 4 full strength regiments: the E1, E5, E8, E9 and several battalions from the E6 regiment several sapper battalions (E is the NVA denote for regiment). Only the South Viets Hac Bao Company, most of who during the New Year was on leave, defended Hue. The Nva attacked on the first day of the Lunar New Year and quickly gain control of the city. After which they release 2,300 violent criminals from the city prison and armed them and the city VC sympathizers to form the "Nghia Quan"[Rightous Army]. In total the Nva/VC have around 9,000 to 10,000 troops in the city including the "Nghia Quan' criminals. On the second day of the New Year, the ARVN 1st Airborne Brigade consists of the 2nd and 6th battalions fought their way into Hue by way of An Hoa. They succeeded in getting into the city and later the ARVN 9th Airborne battalions; fresh from their victory at Quang tri also joined them. It's true that the S. Viets ask the Americans for help after the second week of battle but it was not due to S. Viets troops cowardice, it was due to lack of men power(which the author did not clarify).

The ARVN who fought at Hue consists of the Airborne, then later the Marines, Rangers and the 1st Division, the best fighting force in Vietnam war. However, initially, the S. Viets leaders do not want the ncient city of Hue to be destroyed and forces the S. Viets and Americans to fight with little or no air and artillery support. This means the cost in retaking the city from 8,000 well-fortified enemies has to be done hand to hand. During the week of the battle, the S. Vietnamese 2nd and 7th battalions went from 500 men each down to only 200 men. The S. Viets 9th airborne battalion went from 400 men to only 100 men, the rest were killed and wounded. The S. Viets marines and ranger battalions that later came to join in the fight was fresh from the battles in Saigon without replacement and were all at or around half strengths. A typical S. Viet airborne battalion consists of 500 men, 800 men for the Vietnamese marine battalion and 450 men for the Vietnamese ranger battalion. The Nva/VC also lost a tremendous number of men and o both sides settle down to defensive and probing attacks. This also is true for the USMC since the US marines for the first two weeks or so, fought only during the day and then retreat to the MACV compound at night, this go on until sufficient troops and allies replacement have arrive. The battle for Hue was bloody and vicious, the S. Viet dead was twice that of the U.S marines, as for the Nva/VC most of their troops die during the battle for the city.

Battle for Hue: Tet 1968.......2000-01-28

An excellent book. Perhaps the only improvement would be the addition of more detailed maps so that the reader is able to follow the events as they arise. As a Marine veteran, I seldom read anything concerning the Vietnam war because most of the books are not very factual. However, this book is well written and reveals a great deal of research. There is NO fiction here. Nolan once again demonstrates his outstanding literary talents. I agree, I dont understand how Hollywood has let this slip away.

Vivid description of house-to-house fighting in Hue city........1999-02-24

The Tet Offensive was long over in most parts of South Vietnam but the fighting carried on from house to house in the city of Hue. Nolan vividly captures the efforts of those left to defend and take back the city.

Action in Vietnam was generally in the lush mountainous jungles of the countryside. However, the battles of Hue were as deadly as any city fighting of WWII. The defenders were in battle day after day with little or no releif. Platoons literally fought to the last man.

I have read most of Nolan's books on Vietnam and consider this a must for anyone attempting to know and understand what the American fighting man experienced in-country. His work is a fantastic testimony to the valiant effort of a few to stave off the attack of a well prepared and persistent enemy.

A GRIPPING TESTIMONY OF THE FIGHT FOR HUE CITY.......1998-07-20

THE AUTHOR, KEITH WILLIAM NOLAN, DUMPS THE BATTLE FOR HUE CITY IN YOUR LAP. A COMPLELLING ACCOUNT OF THE U.S. MARINES FIGHT FOR THE IMPERIAL CITY OF SOUTH VIETNAM IN 1968. NOLAN DOES A FANTASTIC JOB IN PROVIDING JUST ENOUGH FOREGROUND SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FIGHT. SUPERBLY WRITTEN THROUGH THE EYES OF NUMEROUS VETERANS THIS BOOK LEAVES YOU DASHING ACROSS STREETS AND SLAMMING INTO COURTYARD WALLS.

THIS IS NOT DIALOGUE AS PRESENTED BY VETERAN'S. RATHER IT IS A MASTERPIECE IN WHICH HE TELLS THE STORY OF THE BATTLE FOR HUE CITY USING THESE VETERANS IN CHARACTER.

THIS BOOK IS EASY ON THE EMOTIONS, LEAVES YOU WITH A VERY GRAPHIC SENSE OF THE BATTLE, AND AN AMAZINGLY LIGHT READ.

Book Description

The bloody monthlong battle for the Citadel in Hue pitted U.S. Marines against an entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. By official accounts it was a tactical and moral victory for the Marines and the United States. But here survivor Nicholas Warr describes with urgency and outrage the Marines' savage house-to-house fighting--ordered without air, naval, or artillery support by officers with no experience in that type of combat.

Sparing few in the telling, Warr's firsthand narrative tells of desperate Marine suicide charges and of the Marines' selfless devotion to their comrades. His riveting account of the most vicious urban combat since World War II offers an unparalleled view of how a small-unit commander copes with the conflicting demands and responsibilities thrust upon him by the enemy, his men, and the chain of command.

Customer Reviews:

great read.......2007-08-11

Absolutely unbelievable story of what these guys went through, makes yo uproud to be an American.

Phase Line Green.......2007-02-05

This is one of those books that is difficult to put down and it makes great reading all the way through.. Having fought in Vietnam as an infantryman in the Australian Army and now that I live much of the time in Vietnam I have found that books like "Phase Line Green" have given me a great deal of understanding as to what went on in other parts of the country, far removed from our own AO's.

These days, as I travel through places such as Hue, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass I cannot help but reflect on what went on in those places not so long ago, thanks to this fine book which give a down to earth "Grunt's" account of one of the most notable and savage battles of the Vietnam War. Well done.

Semper Fidelis.......2006-03-22

As a Marine myself. This book is an outstanding story about the retaking of the Citadel in Hue City following the TET Offensive. This book shows the reality of war. I am not a big reader, but I throughly enjoyed this book. You feel as if you are there with them. It also shows the determination of the Marines and their undying devotion to each other. That is something that will never change.

one of the best vietnam war books.......2000-08-29

I have read many Vietnam war books, i find them very interesting and educational to read. this was the first vietnam war book i ever read, and i must say i have not read one as good yet. i've probably read about 25 vietnam war books. this is no doubt about it this was the best. it's informative, interesting, exciting, and it truly captures everything the vietnam war was known for. to me the vietnam war is not the forgotten war, atleast not to me anyways. read this book, it holds nothing back

"I lived it. I read it. I relived it".......2000-06-20

The heartfelt message of this book not only conveys the historical narrative of the Battle of Hue but also allows the reader to visualize for himself the challenging emotional trauma endured by both Marine and Corpsman in the heat of fierce battle! I looked into the eyes of many a Marine as he breathed his last breath. All were heros! I looked into the newborn's eyes as she opened them for the first time! These are some of the feelings I relived as I read this book. I think the reader, whether a combat veteran or not, will be moved and enlightened by reading this narrative of "A Few Good Men". "Doc"

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Battle for Hue: Tet 1968
Keith William Nolan
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IN3CNG

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This Book Made Me Proud As Hell of My Fellow Americans
GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT
rayjoy@ipa.net
You're Part of the Struggle!!!
An excellent summary

The Siege at Hue
George W. Smith
Manufacturer: Lynne Rienner Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1555878474

Book Description

The siege at Hue ultimately determined the outcome of the Vietnam War. Now, here is the most complete account yet of that fateful
battle. . . .

On 31 January, 1968, the North Vietnamese and Vietcong launched the Tet Offensive, attacking thirty-six major South Vietnamese cities and towns. While American soldiers throughout the country dealt with the ferocity of the surprise attack, the most bitter battle of the entire war was unfolding at Hue. From the first round of incoming mortars to the triumphant hoisting of the American flag over the enemy's bastion, U.S. Army captain George W. Smith was there.

With reports from many eyewitnesses, Smith presents the day-to-day struggle in gripping detail, following the bloodyfought in the street by the three U.S. Marine battalions who played the decisive role in the liberation of Hue. Smith also covers the social and political upheaval in the ancient city of temples and palaces, the now-verified executions of nearly 3,000 civilians by the NVA and VC, and the crucial role of the American press.

Four men won the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Hue, and the U.S. Marines were awarded ten Navy Crosses for extraordinary gallantry. Captain Smith honors these men--and their selfless acts of courage.

Customer Reviews:

This Book Made Me Proud As Hell of My Fellow Americans.......2001-08-04

who fought at Hue. And it is written by somebody who was there. Hue was every bit as tough a battle against every bit as formidable an enemy as any Americans have ever faced. The soldiers who fought and died there deserve all the respect due them for having fought an incredibly tough battle. Most paperbacks I dispose of after reading. Not this one. It goes into the Vietnam collection.

GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT.......2001-01-10

A GOOD BOOK ABOUT HUE, BUT I THINK IT NEEDED MORE DETAIL IN DESCRIBING THE URBAN WARFARE AND THE HOUSE TO HOUSE FIGHTING. I NEVER GOT THE FEELING THAT I WAS THERE WHILE READING THE BOOK. THATS WHAT I LOOK FOR IN A MILITARY BOOK.

rayjoy@ipa.net.......2000-09-18

This Book was very informative. The writer puts you right there in the city,fighting with them.. I would give this book a ten. The writer is right about the Arvn. I have been with the Arvn airborne units and they never did once run from a fight while I was with them. They were not given the accolades that were due them in their fight for the city of Hue.The Marines are always claming they are the best which I will say they are very good, but there were time when the Army had to come in and help them. Roadrunner 6 Out

You're Part of the Struggle!!!.......2000-08-03

What a read!! The author does a superb job of outlining the plot to take Hue by the North Vietnamese and puts you in the middle of the battle. His perosnal recollection as well as the interviews with former commanders is riveting.

As a non-military person, the explanations of key events and strategies is clear and concise. I found it hard to put down!!

An excellent summary.......1999-11-17

This slim volume, grossly overpriced, is an excellent summary of a pivotal battle of the Tet offensive of 1968. Smith was in Hue throughout the battle as an Army PIO and gives a very balanced view of what went on. Often heralded as primarily a Marine battle, Smith rightly documents the actions of the Army units and the hard fighting done by the ARVN, particularly the paratroop units and the 1st Division. He strikes just the right balance between history and memoir. For the whole story, not just Smith's view, there are a number of books on the battle of Hue which he notes for the reader. Particularly effective was his post-war visits with some of the South Vietnamese commanders. The war cost all us, those of us who served there, those who lost their loved ones, but especially those who did both of those things and lost their country too.

Average customer rating:

Battle for Hue Tet 1968
Kieth William Nolan
Manufacturer: PRESIDIO PRESS @
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDQNWQ

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Battle for Hue, Tet, 1968

Manufacturer: Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The battle for Hue: Casualty and disease rates during urban warfare (Report)

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The battle for Hue: Casualty and disease rates during urban warfare (Report)
Christopher G Blood
Manufacturer: Naval Health Research Center
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006QKH7Y

The battle for Hue: Tet 1968 (Weapons and warfare mini-special)

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The battle for Hue: Tet 1968 (Weapons and warfare mini-special)
Louis A Peake
Manufacturer: Weapons and Warfare Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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