I am a fan of author David L. Robbins and I knew that The Low Bird is set in Vietnam and would be a gripping military story. A pilot is shot down over a heavily defended valley and rescue becomes the number one priority of the American forces. Meanwhile the VC cadre is using the downed pilot as bait to bring other American planes within reach of their guns. A helicopter is also shot down, bringing another American into the valley.

The author changes the viewpoint of the story between these two Americans and that of the VC cadre, Loh. He also brings Minh, a North Vietnamese woman who loves the cadre into the story and we get a well rounded view of both sides, as she travels with the troops as a singer. I would have liked a little less of the military jargon and detailed information about ordinance and equipment which I found a little overwhelming and, for me, made the story rather disjointed, but I do know that many military and ex-military personnel read this author and like to have these details given.

The story moves at a fast pace and depicts the teamwork that enabled many downed pilots to be rescued from certain death. The author excels at describing battle conditions and in particular the bravery that had these helicopter rescue crews flying over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to spot and save a pilot in peril. ( )