#BookReview: Fly Safe: Letters from the Gulf War and Reflections From Back Home by Vicki Cody

Synopsis: It is August 1990, and Iraq has just invaded Kuwait, setting off a chain reaction of events leading up to the first Gulf War. Vicki Cody’s husband, the commander of an elite Apache helicopter battalion, is deployed to Saudi Arabia—and for the next nine months they have to rely on written letters in order to stay connected.

From Vicki’s narrative and journal entries, the reader gets a very realistic glimpse of what it is like for the spouses and families back home during a war, in particular what it was like at a time when most people did not own a personal computer and there was no Internet—no iPhones, no texting, no tweeting, no Facetime. Her writing also illuminates the roller coaster of stress, loneliness, sleepless nights, humor, joys, and, eventually, resilience, that make up her life while her husband is away. Meanwhile, Dick’s letters to her give the reader a front row seat to the unfolding of history, the adrenaline rush of flying helicopters in combat, his commitment to his country, and his devotion to his family back home. Together, these three components weave a clear, insightful, and intimate story of love and its power to sustain us. 



Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 
My Review: This was an interesting story following the life of an Army Wife.  I enjoyed the journey of realizing all the things that these women go through.  If you are looking for an eye opening story check this one out. 

Review

“In Vicki Cody’s Fly Safe, her moving follow-up to her first memoir, Army Wife, she delivers a tour de force full of emotion, determination, grit, and hope, something our country needs now more than ever. Vicki’s engrossing writing style takes us inside her world of handling critical roles as army wife, mom, family readiness group leader, and friend to so many as her husband famously fired the first shots of the Gulf War.”
―Anthony J. Tata, Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Retired) and national best-selling author of Chasing the Lion

“Cody gives us a front-seat ride on her journey as an Army wife, this time through journal entries and personal letters from her husband as he flew the most dangerous missions of Operation Desert Storm more than thirty years ago. Vicki weaves the correspondence into a gripping, historical narrative that chronicles the fears, tensions, high notes, and loneliness of an Army family waiting at home, all at a time when handwritten letters and sporadic phone calls were the only lifelines. A truly American tale of sacrifice, love, and commitment that, as readers will find out, isn’t over yet. An elegant and riveting work.”
―Gina Cavallaro, author of Sniper: American Single-Shot Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan

“Cody has an uncanny way of giving us a vulnerable look behind the curtain of a Commander in theater, and the woman who loves him back on post. Her intimate details of ‘deployed love’ are honest and heartfelt . . . with a level of candor I’ve never before seen. Thank you for your bravery in giving us all a window to your soul, the soul of your marriage, and the soul of those who serve.”
―Heidi Collins, former CNN news anchor and proud wife of USAF fighter/attack pilot, Capt. Matt Collins

“With unparalleled grace and humility, Vicki Cody pours her soul out on the page for all to experience. In bearing her soul, she captures our hearts. Fly Safe is a must read for all Americans.”
―Jimmy Blackmon, author of Pale Horse and Cowboys Over Iraq --This text refers to the paperback edition.

About the Author

Vicki Cody grew up in Burlington, Vermont, and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in education. For the next thirty-three years, she was an Army wife, supporting her husband in his career. She has appeared on several media programs, including CNN, MSNBC, C-Span, and Soldier Television and Radio, discussing her writings and Army family issues. Her memoir, Army Wife: A Story of Love and Family in the Heart of the Army, published in 2016 by She Writes Press, won the 2016 USA Best Book Award for narrative non-fiction and was a Finalist for the 2016 Foreword Indies Book of the Year in the military category. It was also named in Kirkus Reviews top 100 books of 2016. Cody is also the author of Your Soldier, Your Army: A Parents' Guide and, most recently, the revised edition, Your Soldier, Your Army: A Family Guide, both of which were published by the Association of the United States Army. Her articles have appeared in numerous military magazines and publications. She and her husband of forty-five years live in the Washington DC area. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Did you know that comments are DELICIOUS? Well they are and if you comment on any of these posts you could win some awesome goodies! 

Don't forget to check out our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and out other social media found on the side bar! 

 Disclaimer: "All opinions are 100% honest and my own."  Thanks to Goodreads and Amazon for the book cover, about the book, and author information. Buying via these links allows my site to get a % of the sale at no cost to you. 

FTC Guidelines: In accordance with FTC guidelines regarding endorsements and testimonials for bloggers, I would like my readers to know that many of the books I review are provided to me for free by the publisher or author of the book in exchange for an honest review. If am compensated for any reviews on this site I will state that post has been sponsored. 

Posted in: 5 Stars, Adult, Non Fiction, Review, She Writes Press