INCIDENT AT AVIANO
THE STORY OF A VERY BRAVE MAN
It’s November 1965.
A young pilot has foolishly done what he was warned not to do, and activated the nuclear weapon hanging below his alert jet. His plane sits just off the tarmac on the Aviano Air Base, Italy flight line. The next 24 hours pit Lieutenant Colonel Dan Cassino and his team of specialists against a powerful, implacable adversary: a bomb that can kill and injure thousands, devastate the northern Italian countryside around them, and possibly destroy the NATO alliance.
Based on a true story.
...the literary art is what held me
Some of the lines are just beautiful. "Events leave shadows and echoes, loose ends to be tied up in proportion to their magnitude." Truth be told, the subject matter was of very interest me but the literary art is what held me. An absolutely fantastic addition was the inclusion of photos. I wish I had looked at them first and suggest you do just that. There are numerous diagrams which will suit you best to look at first. There is just something so very daunting about seeing the Mark 4, Mark 5 bombs, and the others. It makes you feel so terribly small and vulnerable, but also allows you to somewhat grasp the severity of the situation. Just an overall great read.
-Praise from an Amazon Reader
It makes you feel so terribly small and vulnerable, but also allows you to somewhat grasp the severity of the situation.
I initially dismissed Incident at Aviano: The Story of a Very Brave Man as it just isn't my usual type of read. I'm glad I gave it a chance. It is based off a true event but fictionalized. I tend to learn into fiction so this worked well in my opinion. For those that love historical nonfiction, it reads as such so you'll undoubtedly still enjoy it. This would do well as a limited series on Netflix or Hulu.
It has the potential and reads very much like a script frequently. There's also a haunted poetry feel about it at times, I doubt that was the intention but it worked quite well. "Forget the rest. Focus only on these two Phantoms....Focus further. Look at the men in the aircraft to the right....." There are potential spoilers ahead so be forewarned.
The two timelines always wins me over. It worked in Westworld and it worked wonderfully here as well. Some of the lines are just beautiful. "Events leave shadows and echoes, loose ends to be tied up in proportion to their magnitude." Truth be told, the subject matter was of very little interest to me but the literary art is what held me. An absolutely fantastic addition was the inclusion of photos. I wish I had looked at them first and suggest you do just that. There are numerous diagrams which will suit you best to look at first. There is just something so very daunting about seeing the Mark 4, Mark 5 bombs, and the others. It makes you feel so terribly small and vulnerable, but also allows you to somewhat grasp the severity of the situation. Just an overall great read.
-Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2023
Incident at Aviano: The Story of a Very Brave Man is about as ‘real’ as a novel gets
Incident at Aviano: The Story of a Very Brave Man” by author Kip Cassino is about as ‘real’ as a novel gets. This is because it is based on a true story of an incident at Aviano Airbase in Italy, in the 1960s.
The novel is an account, in a very wonderful and creative telling, of something that happened at that airbase that could have changed the course of history. A nuclear warhead was accidentally armed there and it was a race against time, against the bomb, against all odds, to disarm it and avoid disaster.
This book is, truly, exactly the type of book I love to settle into. It is the retelling of a stranger-than-fiction true story, and the telling is excellent. The characters, the real-life plot, the subplots, and the action all weave an excellent tale of excitement and danger. The stress of the situation presented is as real as the incident itself.
I have not read another book by author Kip Cassino but will certainly look for them now. I recommend this one to all mature lovers of great historical fiction and non-fiction.
I am very happy with this work and will read it again. Get one for yourself. Enjoy!
-Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2023
An extraordinary memoir that chronicles the harrowing and courageous experiences of an individual caught in a life-altering event
Incident at Aviano: The Story of a Very Brave Man is an extraordinary memoir that chronicles the harrowing and courageous experiences of an individual caught in a life-altering event. Written with gripping detail and emotional depth, this book offers a compelling account of bravery, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.
The author skillfully captures the reader's attention from the very beginning, painting a vivid picture of the events that unfold at Aviano Air Base. The story follows the central protagonist, a remarkable individual whose name we come to know throughout the pages, as he faces a high-stakes situation that demands quick thinking, bravery, and unwavering determination.
What makes this memoir truly captivating is the author's ability to transport readers into the heart of the action. The descriptive narrative places us alongside the protagonist, immersing us in the intense emotions, the physical challenges, and the intricate details of the incident. Every page is filled with suspense, tension, and a sense of urgency that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
-Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2023
