The One that Got Away: My SAS Mission behind Enemy Lines

Book Description

The British Army's Special Air Service is one of the world's premier special operations units. During the Gulf War, deep behind Iraqi lines, an SAS team was compromised. A fierce firefight ensued, and the eight men were forced to run for their lives. Only one, Chris Ryan, escaped capture or death, and he did it by walking nearly 180 miles through the desert for seven days and eight nights. This story features extraordinary courage under fire, narrow escapes, a battle against the most adverse physical conditions, and, above all, of one man's courageous refusal to lie down and die.

Customer Reviews:

Great story!.......2007-07-10

This book is great mainly due to the dangerous background of the mission. Ryan survived for about ten days in a hostile environment while he had to deal with coldness, exhaustion, injuries and starvation. Therefore it is an account of an incredible surviving. Respect for Ryan. His book is a must-read !

Worth a read.......2007-03-27

Not the tale of an inhumanly capable and faultless warrior and all the more compelling for that. Very interesting and informative, a more realistic treatment of events that the McNabb book, or at least more believable.

The limit of human endurance..........2006-01-27

Imagine driving two hundred miles, a long boring journey no doubt. Seems like ages...

Imagine walking it with no food, little water, and freezing temperatures that had already cost the lives of two of the SAS patrol troopers. That's what Ryan did when he journeyed to the Syrian border when the infamous Bravo Two Zero mission fell apart due to bad luck, poor intelligence, and below zero temperatures.

The famous - or infamous - Bravo Two Zero mission was about eight SAS troops that where sent behind enemy lines during the first gulf war. They were compromised early on, and with a fire fight early on, and no communication from headquarters, the men had to evade and escape. Four of the men were captured and tortured in an Iraqi sess-pit of a gaol. Three of the men died, one shot in combat and two died from hypothermia. Only one escaped. "The One That Got Away" is his story...

Ryan had to endure a terrific journey on foot of 200 miles to get to the Syrian border. Along the way, he drills (kills) a few Iraqi soldiers, or guards. He even breaks one's neck, told in squirm-inducing detail:

"When the second man saw me, his eyes widened in terror and he instantly began to run. But somehow, with a surge of adrenalin, I flew after him, jumped on him and brought him down with my legs locked round his hips. I got one arm round his neck in a judo hold and stretched his chin up. There was a muffled crack, and he died instantaneously."

Ryan's spirit comes from a very deep well, and with his SAS training, he pushes on even when he is on the verge of complete exhaustion (towards the end, he starts hallucinating).

Andy NcNab's "Bravo Two Zero" book is about McNab's torture at the hands of his Iraqi captives. Ryan's story is also about brutal pain, but his is self-inflicted as he desperately seeks to escape capture (he loses all his toe nails due to the 200 mile hike, he is on the verge of getting frost bite, he drinks radioactive water, and to finish off bad luck, he nearly gets lynched when he finally gets to Syria).

Ryan comes across as a methodical man. He plays by the book (he doesn't journey during the day - an SAS no-no). His methodical thinking about getting things right sometimes makes the other members of the SAS patrol seem incompetent. That seems a tad unfair (though as the author, and with the slight fact that he was actually there, he may have a right to say what he wants). I think the real incompetence in the Bravo Two Zero mission was the lack of intelligence from the top brass and not the men on the ground (why should you have the cold terrain as the enemy as well as the Iraqis when it needn't be? Shouldn't Intelligence know that the temperatures in Iraqi can drop really low?)

Even if you not a fan of Special Forces you will find this book riveting. People who like endurance will also love this book - for example if you are one of them loons who think climbing Everest in a pair of flip-flops is a great day out, then this book is also for you.

Seriously, I would recommend reading this, especially now when the second Gulf war is still simmering. It gives you a realistic journey on combat that you rarely get with the media. I also recommend McNab's "Bravo Two Zero" as it gives an account of his capture and torture.

comparison.......2006-01-13

this is a fantastic book. the SAS are phenominal. this mission was flawed, and this book is a testiment to the hardcore training and personnel of the SAS. however, to address another reviewer's comments, i fully disagree with the assessement that the SAS are vastly superior to Delta Force. firstly, for a number of years ive had close affiliations with the special operations world, and personally know a great number of both Delta operators and SAS soldiers and have conversed with them greatly on training, tactics, and so forth. no arguement that both are superior to the SEALs, who have always been overrated and hollywood. but the fact is, it is a complete and utter fallacy to state that Delta dont have the training to survive the way this SAS team did. thats absurd. first, delta's founder, charlie beckwith, a green beret who spent time with the SAS, used the SAS unit structure and training criteria as a template for Delta. second, Delta and the SAS are two of the most closely aligned units in the world, with frequent exchanges, putting Delta operators through SAS training and vice versa, as well as executing missions together from time to time. bottom line, Delta is the US military's MOST elite, MOST well trained, and MOST combat experienced unit of the last 25 years. Delta operators and SAS soldiers dont bother with the comparison themselves, because they're of the same caliber and embrace each other. further, the reason Delta has never done what mcnab's team did is because they've never been in the situation, which by the way was caused by MISTAKES. now im not bashing the SAS, even the most elite units make mistakes, Delta has as well. ultimately, these men survived through a undominable will, and escape, evasion and survival tactics, and to assume that Delta does not have this training is ludicrous, not to mention wholly untrue.

good book.......2005-06-14

i think this book is very good.

Book Description

While America held its breath in the days immediately following 9/11, a small but determined group of CIA agents covertly began to change history. This is the riveting first-person account of the treacherous top-secret mission inside Afghanistan to set the stage for the defeat of the Taliban and launch the war on terror.

As thrilling as any novel, First In is a uniquely intimate look at a mission that began the U.S. retaliation against terrorism–and reclaimed the country of Afghanistan for its people.

Customer Reviews:

Good Inside Look.......2007-07-29

This is a great first hand account of what was going on after 9/11. While we were at home wondering what our government was doing, these guys were getting things done.

Disappointingly dull.......2007-06-19

This book is more a lesson in the stifling bureaucracy of the U.S. government -- even when engaged in one of the most important foreign operations in its history. Schroen's book is filled with operational minutiae that, while providing a detailed account of the CIA operation in Afghanistan after 9/11, is bled dry of any context.

I feel for Schroen and his team as time and again, their efforts are hampered by intra-agency turf wars, mistrust and miscommunication with the U.S. military, not to mention the substantial obstacles they had to overcome vis-a-vis their Northern Alliance hosts.

It comes across in Schroen's writing -- he's at the center of the operation, but is largely beholden to other forces, in Washington and in Afghanistan. And you only get a glimpse at his frustration, probably due to the diligence of the CIA editorial oversight. I can't help but think that I'm reading a highly sanitized and watered-down version of what Schroen *really* wanted to say. (Note that unlike Gary Berntsen's "Jawbreaker", this book was published with the CIA's full approval, with nary a redacted line.)

In the end you get the sense that the CIA team were little more than clerks or administrators, doling out the cash to keep Afghan allies, well allied, and making requests for travel, fuel, etc. That's too bad because clearly Schroen and his teammates deserve acknowledgment (and praise) for what they were able to accomplish on the ground, despite being hamstrung and their own operational limitations.

stellar account .......2007-06-02

This book represents a stellar account of the disconnect betwen the policymakers in Washington and those charged with the execution of U.S. foreign policy. Schroen's book also chronicles the insidious influence lobbyists representing foreign nations can have on defense or foreign policy. Pushing forward Pakistan's agenda cost lives of our true allies, those in the Northern Alliance who laid it all on the line to take the fight to the Taliban.

Best CIA book I've ever read.......2007-05-18

Mr. Schroen is the first author coming out of the CIA that I've ever read that has a shred of humility. It was refreshing to read his perspective and look into his amazing paradigm without all the macho horse-crap. This was a very interesting topic to me, and I really enjoyed this author's telling of it. I am into the details and there were a lot of them in this book. It's not a thriller-spy story, but it is a great read in my opinion.

Tip of the Spear.......2006-07-07

Gary Schroen was less that 3 months away from retirement from the CIA on 9/11. He'd had a successful career there in "Operations", the guys who do the actual spying (as opposed to "Analysis", the guys who try and figure out what everything means), mostly dealing with the Middle East, and had wound up a Deputy Division head. For 2 years in the early 90s he was the Station Chief in Kabul, Afghanistan, and later in the decade he'd flown into the Northern Alliance's territory and met Ahmed Shah Masoud, the charismatic leader of that group who was assassinated just before 9/11. He had extensive contacts with various friendly figures in Afghan politics, speaks at least one of the local languages, and of course has lots of experience. As a result, 15 days after 9/11, Schroen was flown into the Northern Alliance's Panshir Valley on a CIA helicopter along with a half dozen other CIA guys, various laptops, satellite phones, and radios, a crate of guns, and $3 million in cash. His orders were to find and kill Osama bin Laden, and topple the Taliban government. This book is his account of the mission, how it went, and the adventures they had along the way.

Schroen was sent into Afghanistan at a time when the army didn't consider it safe to deploy troops (apparently now, if the army can't medivac wounded they won't operate in an area, and since there were no friendly airbases close enough, they were skittish about the idea of committing troops or flying combat missions) so Schroen and his friends were on their own for a considerable time period (about a month). They made friends with the locals (some of whom Schroen already knew) spread around money to buy weapons and supplies, and lobbied for airstrikes, Special Forces teams, and generally support while they watched the Northern Alliance fight the Taliban. As time passed, other CIA teams and Special Forces Operators did appear. At one point in the story, several of the CIA guys participate in a cavalry charge (I keep reading books that recount the "last" cavalry charge in history: believe it or not, this one worked) and there are various other interesting anecdotes. The author, 59 at the time he was inserted into Afghanistan, had terrible intestinal troubles that were never entirely resolved, and one of the other guys had gas (apparently from the altitude). While they didn't get Osama (never even got close, really...they landed on the other side of the country) they were instrumental in tipping the war against the Taliban.

This is an interesting, intelligent book. The accounts of the politics in Washington and the Pentagon are of course frustratingly vague, but of course the author was in Afghanistan when the debates were taking place, so he can only recount what he was hearing over the radio or phone. But for an account of the War on Terror from someone who was on the front lines, this book is just about as good as it gets.

The Devil's Sandbox: With the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry at War in Iraq

Average customer rating:

An amazing insight into the role of National Guardsmen at war
Great Book, Highly Recommend
Been There, Done That
Superb!
Devil's Sandbox

The Devil's Sandbox: With the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry at War in Iraq
John R. Bruning
Manufacturer: Zenith Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Iraq | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

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Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0760323941

Book Description

The story of the 2nd Battalion of Oregons 162nd Infantry Regiment (2/162) in Iraq, this book gives readers an intimate look at the reality of National Guardsmen at war. Follow the 2/162 from their call-up in summer 2003 to their return home in spring 2005. The Devils Sandbox immerses readers in some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq war and in some of the most rewarding and forward-looking civil affairs projects aimed at rebuilding this broken nation. It offers rare insight into what this war means for the citizen-soldier at home and abroad.

Customer Reviews:

An amazing insight into the role of National Guardsmen at war.......2007-09-02

I have read several dozen books on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While I have enjoyed all of these books immensely, they all concentrated on conventional military units or special operations forces. They almost never mentioned anything about the role of National Guard units in these conflicts. For this reason, I was shocked to find out that many of our National Guardsmen are the proverbial "tip of the spear". Due to the fact that these men and women are not full-time soldiers, and hold normal, everyday jobs/careers, I always assumed that they would be located in rear-echelon positions. Perhaps serving in support roles. The reality of their participation couldn't be farther from what I had imagined. Like the squad of Navy SEALs who come across the Oregon National Guardsmen during a major engagement in Iraq, I was very impressed by their fighting skills. These men are going in harm's way as much as the traditional military units like the 82nd Airborne, the 101st Airborne, the 4th ID, and the Marines Expeditionary Units. It is hard to imagine being a working class joe one day, and the next day serving in scouting/direct action positions in Najaf or Fallujah. Thank you to John Bruning for bringing to light the brave, patriotic souls of the U.S. National Guard units. They should be receiving so much more publicity from the American media. It is a travesty that their sacrifice in service is not being acknowledged as much as their full-time military brethren. I am going to recommend this book to all my friends and family. Mr. Bruning is a great author and I can't wait to read his next book.

Great Book, Highly Recommend.......2007-05-14

Must read if you are trying to understand what National Guard Soldiers and other service members endure on deployment to Iraq.

Been There, Done That.......2007-02-12

I was with this unit in OIF-II in the capacity of a Medic. If you want to get a good feel for what Oregon's 2/162 did in Iraq, this is the book to read. I've read a number of military history books and sincerely feel that this is one of the better books I've read. Bruning looks at the overall strategic picture and details the reader from a tactical perspective, as well. Having known the troops in the book, as well as the others, I am extremely grateful to see our efforts noted and appreciated. Thanks John... very well done!

Superb!.......2007-02-12

Having served in three branches of the military, including the Oregon Army National Guard, I am well acquainted with the personalities that John Bruning so deftly brings to the pages of his book. There are some typographical errors that I'm more than willing to overlook simply because this book is a great effort to educate the general public about the realities of being citizen soldiers. Putting civilian lives on hold to travel thousands of miles from home, to be thrown into the jaws of hell, is something that can only be fully understood by being there. Mr. Bruning has done a wonderful job of getting the rest of us just a little bit closer.

Devil's Sandbox.......2007-01-19

This book is about my sons Battalion. After I read it and was drwn into the very moment that was taking place I had my son read it and we discussed it. He said there were a couple of incorrect statements but for the most part it was right on.
It is indepth, correct, compelling and heart renching.

Average customer rating:

Readers won't want to miss this one.
Downs is Up
Powerful Psychological Thriller
A gripping thriller
An excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns

Head Game
Tim Downs
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1595540237

Book Description

Three men--served together in Desert Storm. Their job was to create propaganda leaflets that stripped the enemy of his will to resist. Now, fifteen years later, the enemy is out to return the favor. He's playing head games with them...and won't stop until their worlds are turned completely upside down.

Customer Reviews:

Readers won't want to miss this one........2007-06-06

In his absorbing thriller, HEAD GAME, the talented Tim Downs explores the power of psychological warfare, with excellent results.

Downs (PLAGUEMAKER) sets up his best novel to date by giving us a window into the Gulf War and three men who form a tightly-knit PsyOps unit. Cale Caldwell is an advertising executive whose fresh talents are put to work writing leaflets encouraging Iraqi soldiers to surrender. "The product the Army was selling was simply life: survival; continued existence; the chance to see your loved ones again; the chance to get your first decent meal in weeks...." "King" Kirby (born Alderson Dumfries) is an aspiring comic book illustrator whose talents are put to work in the PsyOps unit. Captain "Pug" Moseley is the wise Intelligence Officer who also does "market research" and is "the old warhorse" of the group.

Downs excels at intriguing the reader with his detailed account of how the trio puts together leaflets that will best appeal to Iraqi soldiers and cause them to surrender. His descriptions of the nuances of language and how a word used or deleted can affect the reader will capture fans from the opening pages. (For example, The Army changes a leaflet message from "Surrender" to "Surrender with honor" with significant results.)

But all of this is background to the story that unfolds in present-day Charlotte, North Carolina, where Caldwell, a recent widower, and his teenage daughter Hannah are caught in a downward spiral of unfortunate events. Caldwell is told that his former PsyOps buddy Kirby has committed suicide. Caldwell's dead wife's past may not be as squeaky clean as he imagined, and the mild-mannered and beloved family dog, Molly, has seemingly attacked an innocent passerby. Then Hannah, angry and bitter about her mother's death and her father's long absences, takes up with a hardened girl at school and plots revenge against what she sees as her father's misdeeds. But are these misfortunes really random events? Or the work of a brilliant enemy bent on revenge?

Fans who have followed Downs from his debut novel, SHOOFLY PIE, will be delighted to see that he isn't afraid to explore new genres (most previous novels have had a tie-in to forensics or biological warfare). However, they'll also wonder what happened to Downs's delightful sense of humor, which is part of what made his earlier novels (CHOP SHOP) so appealing. It's not in evidence much here. The death of Hannah by a drunk driver is also a stock plot element overly used in faith fiction. One publishing snafu: A discount sticker that the reader is supposed to peel away for instructions on redemption turned out to be a bust --- the instructions were illegible.

However, the success of this suspense novel lies in Downs's fresh approach to what could have been a tired plot in another author's hands (old enemy seeks revenge). One of the most interesting portions of the book is the opening chapter, which is done as a graphic novel illustration of suicide, penned by the author. It's wonderful to see some experimentation in faith fiction --- WestBow is to be commended for taking some chances here --- as should Downs for executing this well. One of Downs's stunning plot twists keeps the reader glued to the story until the last page is turned.

Downs is one of the most talented suspense novelists in the faith fiction genre, and keeps improving with each new book. Readers won't want to miss this one.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

Downs is Up.......2007-04-25

If I could put together a batting line-up for the best in suspense, I'd be sure to include some of my newest favorites: Harlan Coben, Joseph Finder, Robert Liparulo, and Daniel Silva. There is no doubt, though, that Tim Downs would belong on that list. From his quirky Bug Man series, to his international thriller "Plague Maker," to this newest head-to-head mind game between two Gulf War survivors, Downs continues to impress.

"Head Game" follows Cale Caldwell, a man trained in pyschological operations. He used his skills to convince thousands of Iraqi soldiers to surrender in the Gulf War, but now he's settled into more routine employment while trying to raise a teenage daughter and recover from the death of his beloved wife. Adding to the pressure, he finds out that a fellow vet has committed suicide by throwing himself off a bridge.

Cale and his old war buddy, Pug, find themselves pitted against an Iraqi with a view for revenge. There are no-holds barred in this man's twisted game, and Cale will be stretched to his limits as he discovers things about himself, his marriage, and his daughter. The book speeds along at a great pace, while never forgetting to care about its characters. Downs also makes a subtle, but very effective, comparison between the psychological warfare waged against one man and the spiritual warfare we all face--against depression, loneliness, and doubt.

Once again, Tim Downs hits one out of the park. If someone asks me who I want at bat on this team of suspense, I'll tell them, "Downs is up!"

Powerful Psychological Thriller.......2007-04-19

Cale Caldwell is a veteran of the Gulf War who served in the Army's Psy Ops forces. Life couldn't be better for Cale with his beautiful wife and daughter and his rising career as an advertising genius. After the tragic loss of his wife, he struggles with the daunting task of raising his teenage daughter alone. When Cale gets word that his best friend has committed suicide, he suspects foul play and begins to investigate further. Soon he becomes the target of an unknown madman who will use any means necessary to see him suffer. As Cale looks deeper into the mystery of his friend's suicide he uncovers shocking revelations tied to his past that may have deadly consequences.

Tim Downs has delivered a powerful psychological thriller in his latest novel. The plot is perfectly paced with effective twists and turns throughout. Downs expertly places pieces to this unfolding puzzle throughout the story that draws the reader in with ease. Themes of good vs. evil are effectively explored through the backdrop of psychological warfare. Cale's relationship with his daughter is a roller coaster of emotions that will tug at the heart strings of parents. This is a suspenseful tale that will have readers holding on for the ride and guessing until the end. Head Game is highly recommended for fans of mystery and suspense. (From Christian Library Journal)

A gripping thriller.......2007-04-18

This was the first time I read any of Tim's books, and now I've got to find the rest of them. This book was incredible from start to finish. It had the most original first chapter of any recent Christian novel I've seen (drawn by the author himself), and then followed up with a gripping story that kept me reading until the end. My reading time is limited, so I don't finish a lot of the books I start unless they keep my interest. This one did! The in-depth look into PsyOps and how it's really used in the military was fascinating. I highly recommend it.

An excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns.......2007-03-12

Psychological tension springs to life in HEAD GAME, a complex novel which spans the course of nearly two decades and is a recommended pick for public lending libraries strong in detailed leisure reads. A psychological expert and intelligence officer who joined forces during the Desert Storm operation find themselves facing a phoenix-like enemy fifteen years later in an excellent, suspenseful series of twists and turns enhanced by the author's pen and ink drawings.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles

Average customer rating:

Jarhead? Don't waste your time.
Scary look at the military and war in general.
What a waste of time. Should be called Blowhard instead of Jarhead.
phenomenal
Idiotic

Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles
Anthony Swofford
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Military & Spies | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0743287215

Book Description

In his New York Times bestselling chronicle of military life, Anthony Swofford weaves his experiences in war with vivid accounts of boot camp, reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles with lovers and family.

When the U.S. Marines--or "jarheads"--were sent to Saudi Arabia in 1990 for the Gulf War, Anthony Swofford was there. He lived in sand for six months; he was punished by boredom and fear; he considered suicide, pulled a gun on a fellow marine, and was targeted by both enemy and friendly fire. As engagement with the Iraqis drew near, he was forced to consider what it means to be an American, a soldier, a son of a soldier, and a man.

Download Description

"Anthony Swofford's Jarhead is the first Gulf War memoir by a frontline infantry marine, and it is a searing, unforgettable narrative. When the marines -- or ""jarheads,"" as they call themselves -- were sent in 1990 to Saudi Arabia to fight the Iraqis, Swofford was there, with a hundred-pound pack on his shoulders and a sniper's rifle in his hands. It was one misery upon another. He lived in sand for six months, his girlfriend back home betrayed him for a scrawny hotel clerk, he was punished by boredom and fear, he considered suicide, he pulled a gun on one of his fellow marines, and he was shot at by both Iraqis and Americans. At the end of the war, Swofford hiked for miles through a landscape of incinerated Iraqi soldiers and later was nearly killed in a booby-trapped Iraqi bunker. Swofford weaves this experience of war with vivid accounts of boot camp (which included physical abuse by his drill instructor), reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles with lovers and family. As engagement with the Iraqis draws closer, he is forced to consider what it is to be an American, a soldier, a son of a soldier, and a man.

Customer Reviews:

Jarhead? Don't waste your time........2007-08-25

Having wasted my time reading Jarhead, I feel compelled to post a review to hopefully save others from a similar fate. Although he had the opposite intention, Swofford succeeded in convincing me that "other people's oil" as he put it, was indeed worth more than his useless, degenerate life if even half the things he wrote about himself are true. His pretentious, pseudo-poetic writing style almost made me throw up. It must have been easy for him to write, though, since half of the words used in the book consist of the "f-word" and derivatives thereof. Do yourself a favor and avoid this cry baby's appalling chronicle of depravity.

Scary look at the military and war in general........2007-07-10

This was a harsh look at the first gulf war. But it did shed light on the waiting and tedium during war. It was a bit scary to realize how young and bloodthirsty some of our military are. Overall this was a must read for anyone who really wants to understand modern warfare.

What a waste of time. Should be called Blowhard instead of Jarhead........2007-06-22

Of all of the self-indulgent drivel I have ever read, and there is much to choose from in the warrior memoir genre, this book has all of the excitement of picking lint out of your own belly button. Anyone who has ever raised his/her right hand and sworn "to support and defend the constitution etc." knows full well that becoming a warrior is a license to be killed, not a license to kill. When Uncle Sam owns you, he will do with you what he will. It's not a secret, and millions of sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines will gladly tell you the same; all for a lot less than the purchase price and the time this book will cost you.

Most of this is typical marine mythology, of hard drink and prostitutes, of the depravity of the PI, of hardd*** Marines. Mr. Swofford, get over yourself.

phenomenal.......2007-06-18

This is another book I've just recently read that has made it onto my (somewhat short) list of favorite books, and to top it off it is a great antiwar book as well (in the vein of Baghdad Express and The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell). I picked up this book because of the movie, though I read it before I saw the movie (and let me say, the movie is awesome, but the book is a hundred times better). It's very episodic in nature, and there isn't much of a linear storyline to it, though when the war does finally begin, it does become more linear. It's not only a story of war, military life, antiwar sentiments, but also of waiting, loneliness, and this may come to a surprise to many after seeing the movie, but it also has quite a bit to say on the subject of madness and suicide. There's nothing wrong with this book, and I mean that in the sense that this book is as perfect as it could be. I do recommend that you watch the movie, but I also say that you must read this book.

Idiotic.......2007-06-04

I think he used a ghost writer--300 monkeys pounding randomly on a keyboard. The best thing about this book is that you can read it in about 45 minutes. Absolutely depth-less, the author seems to have an attention span of a gnat, which coincidentally matches his intellectual level. Do not waste your time with this nonsense--I think the only reason this was published is that the publishing world was looking for a negative spin on the Middle East "wars" the same way they did with Vietnam (no, I refuse to use the "L" word to describe the media) and this clown delivered. Probably made up half the stuff for pure shock value.

Crusade : The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War

Average customer rating:

Reads well, but overall weak
If you want toknow what really happen in DS
Not a Definitive History, but Compelling
Exciting And Well Written
Excellent history of Gulf War I reads like a novel......

Crusade : The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War
Rick Atkinson
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0395602904

Book Description

This definitive account of the Gulf War relates the previously untold story of the U.S. war with Iraq in the early 1990s. The author follows the 42-day war from the first night to the final day, providing vivid accounts of bombing runs, White House strategy sessions, firefights, and bitter internal conflicts.

Customer Reviews:

Reads well, but overall weak.......2007-04-28

If this is a 4+ star book (as the others who have reviewed the book seem to think) then the state of Gulf War scholarship must be very low indeed. Atkinson's tale is an unorganized patchwork of escapades, vignettes and personality clashes among generals that provides some interesting stories but no solid overall narrative. We get VERY little on Bush, the role of Congress, army medicine, the coalition forces, army structure--not even much on the weaponry. It appears to be a slapped together book for a hungry market, with precious little interpretation or analysis.

If you want toknow what really happen in DS.......2005-05-10

Mr. Atkinson has written another fine book about todays Army and its 1st real test by combat against Iraq. It is a rich source of information that did not make the screen by CNN. That and the story of the renaissance (rebirth) of the United States Military after the debachle of the post Viet Nam War. A book that is well worth the investment of your time if this is your field of interest.

Not a Definitive History, but Compelling.......2005-01-15

For fifteen years the specter of Vietnam hung over the United States military. After finally devising a way to bow out of the Southeast Asian quagmire with honor, the administration of President Richard M. Nixon was eventually brought down by the scandal of Watergate. Even the failure of its Cold War nemesis, the former Soviet Union, in a similar debacle in Afghanistan, could not dilute the embarrassment of Vietnam in the American consciousness. The invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces on 2 August 1990, would give the United States both the opportunity to win a conventional military victory and produce great soldier-heroes such as those that had emerged from more popular wars of the past. That is the underlining thesis of Rick Atkinson's _Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War_. Atkinson argues that aside from the obvious objectives of liberating the Kuwaiti oil fields and protecting America's vital interests in the Middle East, the conflict would produce two important subtle consequences. First it would provide a victory to restore prestige to a military establishment haunted by the ghosts of Vietnam. Second, and more importantly, a victory in the Persian Gulf would provide America with old-fashioned military and political heroes the likes of which had not been seen since the tumultuous parades down New York's Fifth Avenue following Japan's surrender in World War II. The heroes America needed and the media helped to create were General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and President George H.W. Bush. Atkinson portrays Schwarzkopf, arguably the most flamboyant American general since Lt. Gen. George S. Patton Jr., as raging and abusive. Written with a "you are there" approach, the author describes many top-level briefings between Schwarzkopf and his subordinates. A common theme is Schwarzkopf's accusatory bantering that his orders were deliberately disobeyed. Many of these diatribes were aimed at with a great deal of disrespect for U.S. VII Corps commander General Frederick M. Franks. Acknowledging the frustration associated with the burden of command, however, Atkinson concedes that perhaps some of Schwarzkopf's outbursts may have been justifiable. Atkinson initially portrays Bush as an "extraordinary commander." The author credits Bush's campaign to gain support of the American people by demoralizing the militaristic regime of Saddam Hussein as brilliant. Atkinson illustrates how Bush's hero status quickly diminished, however, when the president ended the war prematurely allowing the Iraqi forces to escape and failed to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Utilizing his highly regarded journalistic talent, sprinkled with a sampling of sensationalism, Atkinson examines nearly every controversy of the war. These topics include: the high degree of fratricide among U.S. Service personnel, the reasons for faulty U.S. Intelligence reports that habitually overestimated enemy strength, and the many questions surrounding just how effective were "Smart Bombs." Atkinson also delves into inter-service rivalries, particularly between the Air Force and the Army. He suggests the two services inflated their own roles concerning the conduct of the war. According to Atkinson, this over glamorizing was done in an effort to highlight the importance of their respective services in order to gain the appropriate postwar funding and budgets. The author was privy to certain principal sources during the course of his research. Some documents were declassified just for the purpose of writing of this book through the Freedom of Information Act. The author also was allowed access to the unpublished manuscript of the Official U.S. History of the Persian Gulf War. This is not the definitive history of the first Persian Gulf War, but Atkinson's spin on important issues makes for a compelling read.

Exciting And Well Written .......2004-12-15

I am ashamed to admit that this excellent book sat on my bookshelf for a number of years while I read untold numbers of lesser books. I had heard it was a good book, which was the reason I purchased it, and it turns out that everything positive that lead me to buy the book was in fact true. The first thing that stood out for me was that this author is very good at his craft. I almost forgot I was reading a non fiction book at times because his writing style provided the excitement and richly detailed descriptions that you would normally associate with a fiction book. The author details the Gulf War in such a way that almost exclusively focuses on the actual war and not the lead up to the combat nor the political efforts that played out. He does touch on some political aspects, but only when they are needed to augment the readers understanding of what was happening in the war theater.

The one interesting side story in the book was the authors dislike for Norman Schwarzkopf. The critiques were always within the realm of how he did his job, but there was just something about them that let the reader in on the fact that not too many people that worked with the General much cared for his management style. Other then this slight bias the author stuck to the facts and really gave the reader a good amount of detail on the war effort. It was interesting to read of the many battles. I have read a number of books about different aspects of the war, but this was the first one that really covered all the major battles and I came away surprised at some of the scale that was described. We have all heard that the war was a complete and overwhelming victory, but that positive view hides some of the very violent and large battles that took place.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. The author did a wonderful job and I can honestly say that this is one of the better combat books that I have ever read. The details were never ending and the writing was crisp and well thought out. If you are interested in the war then this has to be the one book your read if you are interested in the combat. The only partial critique I would make is that the author spent the vast amount of his time talking about the American military and really did not cover much of what was happening with the other countries involved. Given the size and responsibilities of those other forces, this focus on the U.S. is understandable.

Excellent history of Gulf War I reads like a novel.............2003-12-16

13 years and two Administrations ago, the entire world watched as the first President Bush marshaled a global coalition to confront Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and gave him an ultimatum: leave Kuwait by Jan. 15, 1991, or we'll force you out. Three months had passed since Iraq had invaded its tiny but rich neighbor, claiming the Kuwaitis were slant-drilling into Iraqi oil fields just across the border.

In reality, as Rick Atkinson points out in Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War, Saddam was strong-arming his way out of repaying loans made to Iraq by Kuwait and other moderate Arab countries during his disastrous war with Iran. He may have also been angered by OPEC's lowering of the price of crude oil, which reduced badly-needed hard currency for his moribund economy. In a classic case of what novelist Tom Clancy calls "armed robbery writ large," Saddam followed Hitler's example of trumping up claims on a neighboring country, massing a huge army on its borders, then invading.

While Atkinson (The Thin Gray Line, An Army At Dawn) focuses on the events of the war itself, he carefully explains the almost Byzantine turns of American foreign policy toward Iraq. In the mid-1980s, Washington, worried that Iran would defeat Iraq, provided Baghdad with limited intelligence assistance and looked the other way when other countries (such as France, Brazil, and the USSR) sold Saddam sophisticated weapons. Only after the 1987 USS Stark incident, when an Iraqi Mirage "accidentally" fired an Exocet missile at a U.S. frigate in the Gulf and killed and injured several sailors, did U.S. policymakers start looking at Saddam as a potential adversary. But until 1990, official policy in Washington was to try to coax Baghdad into joining the fold of civilized nations in the so-called post-Cold War "new order."

In fact, as Atkinson points out, Washington's desire to establish better trade and diplomatic relations may have given Saddam the "green light" to invade Kuwait. The White House, for instance, censured the Voice of America for airing reports about Iraq's repressive government, and Ambassador April Glaspie's comment in July 1990 that the U.S. had no intentions to intervene in "Arab-Arab" disputes further reinforced the Iraqi dictator's view that America was a post-Vietnam "paper tiger" and would not lift a finger to help the Sheik of Kuwait.

Crusade is intensely fascinating and detailed. It is incredibly well-written, enabling the reader to get both the Big Picture and see the war through the combatants' point of view. It's no exaggeration to say that it reads like a Clancy novel; we get not only personality sketches of H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the "CINC" of Central Command and overall commander of Desert Storm and his chief lieutenants (Charles Horner, "Buster" Glosson, Cal Waller, Fred Franks), but we also get vivid descriptions of the intense aerial and ground battles that became known as Operation Desert Storm.

Book Description

Their mission: To take out the scuds. Eight went out. Five came back. Their story had been closed in secrecy. Until now. They were British Special Forces, trained to be the best. In January 1991 a squad of eight men went behind the Iraqi lines on a top secret mission. It was called Bravo Two Zero. On command was Sergeant Andy McNab. "They are the true unsung heroes of the war." -- Lt. Col. Steven Turner, American F-15E commander. Dropped into "scud alley" carrying 210-pound packs, McNab and his men found themselves surrounded by Saddam's army. Their radios didn't work. The weather turned cold enough to freeze diesel fuel. And they had been spotted. Their only chance at survival was to fight their way to the Syrian border seventy-five miles to the northwest and swim the Euphrates river to freedom. Eight set out. Five came back. "I'll tell you who destroyed the scuds -- it was the British SAS. They were fabulous." -- John Major, British Prime Minister. This is their story. Filled with no-holds-barred detail about McNab's capture and excruciating torture, it tells of men tested beyond the limits of human endurance... and of the war you didn't see on CNN. Dirty, deadly, and fought outside the rules.

Customer Reviews:

Heavy Stuff.......2007-08-31

This book was given to me as a birthday present and it was certainly a very sobering read. A mission behind enemy lines goes pear shaped from the get go and our highly specialised SAS team is straight into a fight for their lives.

The bulk of the book is around the capture and subsequent torture over a long period and you have to wonder just how much the human body can endure. Andy witnesses and experiences incredible brutality at the hands of his captors and loses close friends.

If you want to read something that is a small snapshot of a greater scenario, still true to life but not bogged down in any politics of the situation, then give this a go. But I hope you have a strong stomach.

At least they can't make us pregnant........2007-08-06

Eight men with relatively low-tech equipment and minimal planning go out into the desert to destroy a communication cable and Scud missile launchers. Although their preparation is detailed, the mission itself is vague - go blow stuff up.

Like Spartan graduates of the Agoge, they are adept at improvising and eager to take whatever they need (especially if it is something new and shiny). These are great attributes for people in this profession, but it comes across as these skills were also necessary to obtain basic materials needed to accomplish their mission instead of having basic materials issued by their government.

Some of the mistakes are difficult to comprehend, especially since the British have a long history in the Middle East. Anybody who has been to the desert knows that it can get very cold at night and inadequate cold weather gear caused them a lot of unnecessary hardship. Having the wrong radio frequencies is completely inexcusable.

Overall this is an outstanding book about an amazing group of soldiers that many will breeze thorough very quickly. The abuse they took from the Iraqi troops after their capture is terrible, but their sense of humor was unfazed. As they said, "at least they can't make us pregnant".

Great read, regardless of level of truthfulness.......2007-05-19

Whatever you believe about the amount of fiction vs. fact in this book, there is no diputing that it's an entertaining page-turner. The incredible account of the endurance that it took to survive this event makes you really appreciate just how unique special forces servicemen are. I'll be reading some of the other books about this event just because I enjoyed the tale and I'd love to get the other perspectives, but if you are reading for entertainment you won't be let down. I just wouldn't necessarily base a factual report solely on this one work.

The boys own version of the story.......2007-03-27

This is a well known story and there's no point reviewing events. It's pretty well written and does tell the story of a patrol that certainly went wrong.

Some other SAS folks disagree with this description of events and especially don't like that two of their friends died avoidably. But stuff happens, the SAS are not gods on earth, though they do have an outstanding reputation.

There are details in this book which are probably fabricated, mistaken or overstated but it is one view of the action that occurred and should be read in context with the books of the other patrol members, their disagreements are relatively minor really.

True Soldiers.......2007-01-05

Bravo Two Zero is the true to life account (although some what dramatized Im sure) of a comprimized SAS mission during Desert Storm/Shield. It's an exciting read and the interactions between the men are great. The amount of detail and professionalism that goes into planning a mission can really be seen throughout the book. There's a movie adaption of the book out there too, but naturally, I recommend reading the book first. Im current reading the Bravo Two Zero spin-off called "The One That Got Away", written by the only team member of Bravo to evade capture. I recommnd this book to any military personnel or to anyone who enjoys the military genre of books.

No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf

Average customer rating:

Very well written
The real modern Navy
Wonderful Book
No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts
Great book, Very well written

No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Persian Gulf
Bradley Peniston
Manufacturer: US Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1591146615
Release Date: 2006-07-01

Book Description

Like its World War II namesake of Leyte Gulf fame, USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) was a small combatant built for escort duty. But its skipper imbued his brand-new crew with a fighting spirit to match their forebears, and in 1988 when the guided missile frigate was thrust into the Persian Gulf at the height of the Iran-Iraq War, there was no better ship for the job. Forbidden to fire unless fired upon, Captain Paul Rinn and his crew sailed amid the chaos in the Gulf for two months, relying on wit and nerve to face down fighter jets and warships bent on the destruction of civilian vessels. Their sternest test came when an Iranian mine ripped open the ship's engine room, ignited fires on four decks, and plunged the ship into darkness. The crew's bravery and cool competence was credited with keeping the ship afloat, and its actions have become part of Navy lore and a staple of naval leadership courses ever since.

This is the first book to record the Roberts' extraordinary tale. After years of research and interviews with crewmembers, journalist Bradley Peniston chronicles the crew's heroic efforts to save the ship as they fought flames and flooding well into the night. The author also describes the frigate's origins, its operational history, and the crew's training. Peniston's personal approach to the subject not only breathes life into the historical narrative but gives readers an opportunity to get to know the individuals involved and understand the U.S. retaliation to the mining and the battle that evolved, setting the stage for conflicts to come. Foreword by Adm. William J. Crowe, USN (Ret.)

Customer Reviews:

Very well written.......2007-01-27

I am very impressed by No Higher Honor. It is interesting, well written, and an engaging read. No Higher Honor is an overdue tribute to a group of heroes that deserves to be remembered.

Anyone interested in naval history should read this book. I heartily recommend it.

The real modern Navy.......2007-01-10

I was there and this book captured the entire ordeal as well as it could be captured. Bradley did a wonderful and thorough job collecting data and memories. I now know far more about the whole incident than I knew when it happened. I'm grateful that our story got told, but more grateful that it was told so well.

Wonderful Book.......2006-08-25

Tom Reinert is my nephew so I had heard a lot about the "Sammy B" and its accident. However, there was so much more that I was unaware of. Pres. Reagan's response was much greater than I originally thought (at the time I wondered why he only went after 2 oil rigs). There was also a lot of interesting info about details of the Gulf that I was unaware was happening at the time. Kudos to the author for a story that needed to be told!

No Higher Honor: Saving the USS Samuel B. Roberts.......2006-08-18

I really enjoyed this book. My son is now serving on the USS Samuel B. Roberts, so that made it even more interesting. I also bought the book for him and he is looking forward to reading it.

Great book, Very well written.......2006-07-31

This is a must have for every US Navy sailor.

Average customer rating:

Excellent book
Michael's Death
Enlightening
Please read Falcon's Cry and remember that he was not alone.
A message for millions of Americans

Falcon's Cry: A Desert Storm Memoir
Denise Donnelly
Manufacturer: Praeger Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0275964620

Amazon.com

Michael Donnelly's diary entries offer a matter-of-fact account of his 44 combat missions during the Gulf War, but his descriptions of dealing with doctors after coming home are more frightening. Diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Donnelly is convinced what he has is "Gulf War syndrome"--brought on by exposure to low levels of nerve and poison gases during the war. "I don't know what to believe, where to turn for help," he writes. "All the while my body continues to deteriorate, heedless of the possible causes of its slow degeneration." Although he had served in the military for 15 years, Donnelly had to hire a lawyer and appeal to the Air Force Medical Evaluation Board to force the air force to pay him full disability benefits. And though the government denied any responsibility for his illness, we learn that U.S. officials both in Washington and at the front were aware of Iraq's chemical-weapons capability--and continued with their plans regardless: "Troops came upon camels lying dead and decaying in the desert ... dogs and rodents and other small animals died, suddenly, inexplicably, shortly after those tens of thousands of 'false' chemical weapons alarms rang out. The alarms were so common, some commanders even ordered their troops to disable or disregard them." Falcon's Cry is a story of courage and betrayal, a war story in which the casualty doesn't occur until after the fighting stops. --Linda Killian

Book Description

When Major Michael Donnelly was instructing his U.S. Air Force student pilots, he used to tell them three things: "Timing is everything; it's nice to be lucky; and there is no justice." Highly decorated fighter pilot, proud young patriot, loyal friend with a mischievous sense of humor, loving husband and father of two, he could not have imagined the tragic meaning those words would assume just a few years after his tour of duty in Desert Storm. In 1996 Major Donnelly was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, at the unusually young age of 35; the onset of this illness marked the beginning of a kind of torture beyond the scope of even the most rigorous military survival training. Betrayed by his body, eventually paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, he experienced another betrayal perhaps even more difficult to comprehend--betrayal by his country. For despite the fact that over 110,000 Desert Storm veterans are sick, many dying of mysterious cancers and neurological diseases, including more than ten times the normal incidence of ALS--and despite all evidence pointing to U.S. troops having been dosed by low levels of Iraqi nerve agents and exposed to chemical weapons' fallout--the Pentagon adamantly denies any connection between their illnesses and their service in the Gulf War. Falcon's Cry: A Desert Storm Memoir, Michael Donnelly's unforgettable story, is his courageous attempt to unearth the truth and force an acknowledgment of that truth by the government he and his fellow veterans defended with their lives. Flying 44 fighter jet combat missions in a war fought on an all-or-nothing scale was thrilling for Michael Donnelly. When the war was won, he and his country rejoiced in the knowledge that, unlike in Vietnam, America had "gotten it right" in the Persian Gulf. Less than a decade later, the world is learning what veterans and their families have known since Desert Storm--we did not get it right at all. Saddam Hussein is still terrorizing a large portion of the globe. Moreover, we did not learn the lesson of Agent Orange which the Department of Defense denied for decades was the cause of early deaths and birth defects among Vietnam veterans and their families. Yet, thanks largely to the testimony of the author before the House of Representatives in 1997, a first step has been taken toward justice for the tens of thousands of Desert Storm veterans who are suffering virtually in isolation, many without any medical or disability benefits. Major Donnelly believes the truth about Gulf War Illnesses will be uncovered by studies funded in the recently passed Omnibus Appropriations bill, as well as through stories like his own, and he fervently hopes that America can, at last, "get it right."

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book.......2005-08-30

I bought and read the book when it first came out, and I bought a second so I can loan it to others to read and not worry about my first book getting lost. Besides the Donnellys, some of the people and events in the book were apart of our life as well. Very well written!

Michael's Death.......2005-07-02

I just found out about Michael's death through the Gulflink website. My sympathy goes out to his family. His story, with the help of his sister Denise, will be with us all always. He could have chose to sit back and just kept his disease and facts to himself, but he chose to share it with all in the hopes it might make a difference to someone. What a legacy to leave. And thanks Michael, for helping my family live through our anger we had at my brother's death, and dealing with Gulf War illness. My prayers are with your family....
Kelly Seibert
Hillsborough, NC

Enlightening.......2004-06-23

I obtained a tape of this book from the library of the blind , on tape.
I was fascinated with the whole process of his student days as well as the way they worked in the present time illness.
My heart goes out to him and his family and ALL other Soldiers who became ill with no apparent cause after the war.
I would like to know what his present status is, and would like to help in any way that is possible.
In thinking that our present war situation probably is as tentative, to hold this VITAL information back from those who serve makes a mockery of the Ideals our Country was founded on.
I used to participate in Living History, and the good thing about that is that we seem to LEARN from the past.
War does NOT change minds or hearts.
I would hope and pray that this present generation does not have to pay the price of this brave Soldier, Officer, and Gentleman.

Please read Falcon's Cry and remember that he was not alone........2001-12-12

I first came across the book in the fall of '99. It was at a critical time in my air force career. Soon, the mandate to submit to the anthrax vaccine would require a decision that would obviously affect the rest of my life. Take a vaccine that has been proven to cause terrible reactions and has been whispered to be a root cause of Gulf War Illness or refuse and be subject to military justice and the end of my career.

In my squadron, the most asked question to management was "If we become ill following the vaccine, will the Air Force take care of us?" As I saw in this book, the answer to the question is NO.

As pilots, our most treasured asset is our health. Without it, we can no longer perform the mission that we love. The manner in which Michael and Denise describe the physical and mental anguish he endured was truly overwhelming. I could imagine myself in his position and the way I would react; how I would feel.

In my months of research, this book proved to be one of the many determining factors in my decsion. When I talked to former commanders who reminded me of their experiences with Agent Orange or when I spoke with members at my own base that had testified to Congress about their illnesses following the anthrax vaccine, in the back of my mind was Michael Donnelly.

I ultimately made my decision to resign in lieu of taking the vaccine which has led to the end of my aviation career. The only salvation I have is the knowledge that I will never need to worry about unexplained illness in the future.

My most heartfelt sympathy and gratitude go out to Michael and Denise's families. Michael's story is one that I will never forget. Thank you for helping me make my decision.

A message for millions of Americans.......2001-09-03

In this story there is a message for millions of Americans. In this story the reader will learn about the "wheels of justice."

The Generals' War : The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf

Average customer rating:

How not to conduct Joint Warfare
An insiders look at the Gulf War
A detailed and hard-hitting account of the Gulf War
Not the same Gen Franks
Good Book

The Generals' War : The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf
Michael R. Gordon , and General Bernard E. Trainor
Manufacturer: Back Bay Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316321001

Customer Reviews:

How not to conduct Joint Warfare.......2006-09-06

Trainor and Gordon do a commendable job explaining the operational level planning and execution of the first Gulf War. I unreservedly recommend this book as the best description of the events comprising Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm that I have read. "The Generals' War" explains the challenges of joint integration and deconfliction, the intricacies of fighting with allies, and the blend of political and military concerns faced by a regional combatant commander.

Desert Storm is often described in service schools as a shining example of joint warfare, however the authors expose this statement as overblown and explain the shortfalls in interservice cooperation that plagued Schwarzkopf's CENTCOM, and demonstrate how each service ultimately did its own thing. "The Generals' War" demonstrates that Desert Storm was not so much a campaign that combined joint effects to achieve a goal, as it was a campaign that piled each service's effects onto the enemy forces until they collapsed.

The books does not pull punches and examines how problems with phasing and operational tempo allowed many enemy formations to escape capture or destruction.

"The Generals' War" will appeal to the military professional and the average reader alike. Well done.

An insiders look at the Gulf War.......2006-05-27

The General's War is a well written insider's look at the operational planning and execution of Operation Desert Storm. The detailed discussion of the operational planning teams that designed campaign plan was the highlight. It provided a rare glimpse into the extremely important, but often overlooked subject of campaign planning. While the high-tech smart bombs are what most people remember about the war, it was these small teams of mid-level officers that came up with the plan the liberated Kuwait in 100 hours that deserve much of the credit. The early stumbles at "jointness" are evident throughout the book, as old service rivalries dominated many issues. I can see why this book is the standard at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College for the study of the Gulf War.

A detailed and hard-hitting account of the Gulf War.......2005-12-29

In "The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf," Michael R. Gordon and Bernard E. Trainor have crafted a fascinating work of military history. As the title indicates, the book places a heavy emphasis on the actions of the senior military officers involved in the planning and execution of the U.S.-led coalition's 1991 war against Iraq. In the preface, the authors note that this conflict "is without precedent in the annals of warfare. It was the dawn of a new era" (page x).

In their acknowledgements section, the authors discuss in detail the research that went into the writing of this book. They note that they interviewed administration officials, diplomats, allied military officers, and intelligence experts; they observe further that some "talked on the record; others on a not-for-attribution basis." They also drew on written responses that former president George Bush provided to their questions. Their research is meticulously documented in a lengthy set of endnotes (pages 479-520), thus enhancing the book's credibility. The text is further enhanced by thirteen detailed and clearly drawn maps that illuminate many aspects of the war: the Iraqi air defense system, coalition force deployment and movement, locations of oil fields, and more. Also included are photographs of many of the senior leaders involved in the war.

The book is full of fascinating details about many aspects of the war. The authors discuss the participation of various coalition forces in the campaign, as well as the diplomatic activities involving the USSR, Egypt, and other nations. Also discussed are friendly fire incidents and Iraqi POWs. I was particularly interested in the many details about the military hardware used by both coalition and Iraqi forces; the authors cover aircraft, naval vessels, sea and land mines, mine-clearing gear, tanks, and more. There are some really noteworthy battle scenes; particularly vivid is a description of a tank battle between U.S. and Iraqi forces--"an impressive tableau of destruction."

Gordon and Trainor are pointedly critical of many aspects of the conduct of the war. They discuss examples of rivalry and poor coordination between the different branches of the U.S. military, and also criticize the French and the Saudis. But the strongest and most sustained criticism is directed at General Norman Schwarzkopf. The authors assess both his command style and planning of the war and ultimately fault him for failing to achieve true joint warfare. The book places a heavy emphasis on the battle of Khafji; the authors discuss this engagement in detail and criticize both Schwarzkopf and General Colin Powell for failing to grasp its lessons.

Gordon and Trainor note that the Persian Gulf War was "a laboratory for the American military's new weapons and fighting doctrines." This well-written book vividly shows how hardware, tactics, diplomatic concerns, and personalities came together in the fighting of this war. This is a valuable addition to the military history of the late 20th century.

Not the same Gen Franks.......2003-12-07

To those reviewers who have pointed out that the Gen Franks who comes off as incompetent in "The Generals' War" is ironically the same Gen Franks who led the recent war against Iraq, please read the book again. The Gen Franks in "The Generals' War" is Gen Frederick Franks, while the CENTCOM Commander who led the military forces in the most recent war with Iraq is Gen Tommy Franks. They are NOT the same person.

Good Book.......2003-10-15

This book provides an excellent view into much of the political and military decision-making that occurred during the first Gulf War. Gordon and Trainor's prose flows smoothly in this historical account of the war and this, along with many interesting vignettes mixed in, make the book easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning not only more about the first conflict in the Gulf, but also those wanting insight into how the planning and execution of such an operation is complex and riddled with political battles.

Beginning their narrative shortly before Iraq invades Kuwait, the authors show that while some within the CIA were concerned with Iraqi troop developments near the Kuwaiti border, most in the Bush Administration were unconcerned about the possibility that Hussein would challenge the U.S. in the region. The ambiguous communiqués exchanged between Iraq and the U.S. are briefly mentioned, including the infamous Glaspie memo. What the Bush administration failed to realize, was how desperate Iraq's situation would become due to their failing economy and continued large military expenditures. This combination created "an explosive relationship" according to Gordon and Trainor.

After the Iraqis seize Kuwait, the book turns to its most interesting section-the decisions of where and how many forces to deploy and what to do with the forces once in place. After scrambling to receive approval from the Saudis to station troops in their territory, debate began to center around whether U.S. forces should protect Saudi Arabia or attempt to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Powell favored only protecting the Saudis, while Eagleburger believed the U.S. should seek to remove the Iraqis. This first quibble over the role of the U.S. forces was only one of many to occur throughout the conflict between decision-makers at all levels.

Once it was decided Kuwait was to be liberated, the next hot topic was how to use the forces in the Gulf most effectively. In the U.S. command debate swirled over how to use the air and ground forces. Unsurprisingly, the Air Force asserted the war could be won solely through the use of air power while the Army and Marines thought a ground offensive would be necessary. Pentagon official, John Warden, pitched his revolutionary war plan to CINC commander Norman Schwartzkopf. Warden's plan involved striking at the heart of Iraq's command and control center-Baghdad. Rather than bombard Iraqi ground troops with an endless stream of firepower, Warden proposed going straight to what he called the "inner ring" of Iraq's military power and targeting electrical, radar, communication, and other installations critical to Saddam's ability to disseminate orders to subordinates. Unlike Vietnam where air power provided support for ground forces, Warden's plan involved knocking out key pillars of the Iraqi military machine with the hope that it would collapse on itself. Warden's plan was tweaked several times over to accommodate other branches and military officials but the basic framework stayed in place-Iraq would be weakened through a systematic air campaign aimed at Baghdad before a ground war would begin.

With the air strategy firmly in place, work began on identifying potential targets. As the U.S. gathered intelligence on exactly what types of equipment the Iraqis possessed, they began to realize two things: 1) they were unsure about the quality of the hardware the Iraqis had and 2) the massive military buildup undertaken during the Reagan administration had neglected a few areas that might become crucial during the Gulf War. Hussein had managed to cobble together a formidable regional force through arms sales mainly from the Soviets, French, and Chinese. The U.S. was uncertain how good the Iraqi air defenses were, how effectively the Iraqis could use it, and how U.S. stealth technology and radar jamming techniques would perform against it.

The U.S. was not only uneasy because the stealth technology was untested but because other areas of the military had been neglected during the Reagan era build-up. Obsessed with technology, the Reagan buildup did an excellent job of developing high-tech weapons (stealth, Tomahawk cruise missles, etc.) but passed over smaller, more minor upgrades but upgrades that were still important. Two cases illustrate this point. First, only Air Force planes had two systems of independently identifying aircraft as friend-from-foe. Since it was a rule of engagement that U.S. planes had to have two independent identifications, the Navy could not engage what it believed (rightly) were two Iraqi war jets trailing U.S. planes returning from bombing raids. Another example involves the radio technology possessed by the Army. Instead of modern radios, the Army pilots had antiquated radios that had been held over from the Vietnam era. The radios were still operable but also gave away the position of the user. When two Army pilots were forced to eject over Iraq, the Iraqis eventually captured them in part because their radio transmissions were traceable.

With the air phase humming along, planning for a ground invasion continued. Again, there were battles over which ground forces would carry out which missions. The Army had planned to enter the western part of Iraq, storm toward Baghdad, and cut off the supply lines of the Iraqi forces in Kuwait. The Marines' role would be to push the Iraqi army out of Kuwait and into the Army, which would have gathered a full head of steam and deliver the knock-out punch. The Marines became upset because they felt undermanned to charge into Kuwait only to have the Army swoop in and steal the glory by finishing off the Iraqis. Why do they have to do the dirty work and get none of the credit? Partners within the coalition also had to be accommodated. The Saudis insisted on helping push back Iraqi forces that had crossed the Saudi border as a matter of pride. Britain wanted a prominent role in the ground war and France also wanted to conduct a significant number of sorties. All were woven into the battle plan, even if the plan had to be altered in ways that were thought detrimental to success.

With the concerns of the services and allies adequately assuaged, the ground war was finally set to begin. The Marines moved into Kuwait and after some intense initial resistance, had the Iraqis on the run. The only problem was the Marines' effort had been too successful. They Iraqis retreated quickly enough that the Army did not reach a position to deliver its "left hook" to the fleeting Iraqi forces. Since the U.S. had been so effective in the ground phase, Powell and Schwartzkopf began to lobby the president with the idea that the fighting should end soon and the U.S. should scale back in the region to prevent anti-American sentiment. Both Powell and Schwartzkopf believed that plowing through Baghdad and deposing Saddam Hussein would be costly in terms of casualties. They argued the mission had been accomplished-Kuwait had been liberated.

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