The book, Herk: Hero Of The Skies tells the complete and dramatic story of the now legendary Lockheed C-130 Hercules that was designed as do-anything, go-anywhere tactical and strategic four-engine transport.  The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was developed as the modern day successor to the Douglas C-47 Gooney Bird and like its predecessor has proven to be just as versatile.  Flying in and out of postage stamp strips of sand, snow and grass, the C-130 has revolutionized the scientific assault on Antarctica, helped to build the oil pipelines in Alaska and Peru and has been a major factor in the development of Africa, the Middle East, South Africa and Asia.  Aside from hauling all manner of cargo, the C-130 Hercules launches target drones, performs the role of gunship, refuels helicopters, fights forest fires, hunts hurricanes and makes amazing airdrops from both high and low altitudes.  This book traces this propjet’s development by the Lockheed Corporation and the United States Air Force and recounts many of this airplane’s most heroic deeds.  This story is told in the words of the C-130 Hercules flyers themselves, particularly the U.S.A.F. pilots who flew the airplane in Vietnam, which in the author’s opinion was arguably its finest hour.  Perhaps the greatest testament to the versatility of this storied aircraft is the fact that upwards of 45 country’s operate the C-130 Hercules in both civilian and military capacities.  As of the publication of this book over 1,500 C-130 Hercules across all variants had been produced.  The major sections of “Herk: Hero Of The Skies” are as follows: 1) Acknowledgements; 2) Foreword; 3) Part I – The Can-Do Airlifter including (Mission To Stanleyville & Samaritan Of The Sky); 4) Part II – Genesis Of A Classic including (Mating Of The Jeep/Truck/Airplane, “Fire On Number 2!”, The Georgia Skunk Works & A Time Of Testing: 1958-1963); 5) Part III – That Most Amazing Flying Machine including (Thunderweasels And Carrier Landings, Labors Of Hercules & Flying Dump Trucks Of Alaska); 6) Part IV – Humanitarian Hercules including (Mission To McMurdo, Thunderball & Mendoza’s Miracle); 7) Part V – Vietnam, The Supreme Test including (Vignettes From Vietnam & Courage In The C-130 Cockpit); 8) A Fond Farewell; 9) Epilogue and 10) Appendix.  In addition to an informative narrative, “Herk: Hero Of The Skies” includes the following features: 1) Approximately 292 black and white photographs; 2) About 11 black and white illustrations and 3) 2 maps.  This book is 415 pages and is in very good condition.  The author is Joseph Earl Dabney.  Edition published in 1979.