In his brilliant, bestselling novels, Tom Clancy has explored the most timely military and security issues of our generation. Now he takes readers deep into the operational art of war with this insightful look at one of the greatest American military triumphs since World War II: the Gulf War. **

Amazon.com Review

Tom Clancy's latest love-letter to the military-industrial complex focuses on the Army--and Fred Franks, a general who helped smash Iraq in the Gulf War. In this first volume of a series on the intricacies of military command, Clancy traces the organizational success story of the U.S. Army's rise from the slough of Vietnam to the heights of victory in the Persian Gulf. In 1972, the Army lacked proper discipline, training, weapons, and doctrine; all these would be overhauled in the next 15 years. For those readers keen on such nuts and bolts, the book will be fascinating. But the book truly sparkles when Franks tells his story. A "tanker" who lost a foot in the invasion of Cambodia, he is a man of great courage, thoughtfulness, and integrity. One cannot help but wince when a civilian tells him, "You and those boys did that for nothing." And for all the acronyms and military history, that is what this book is about: healing the wounds Vietnam inflicted. "But this time [the Gulf War], it was going to end differently. They all would see to that."

From Library Journal

Clancy combines three stories in this remarkable narrative. He shows how the U.S. Army recovered from the debacle of Vietnam, how a young officer named Fred Franks was able to return from losing a leg in Cambodia and become an integral part of this resurrection, and how all this prepared Franks to lead one corps of the reborn army to victory over the Iraqi Republican Guard during Operation Desert Storm. Clancy presents this tale in a clear and well-organized manner that frequently allows Franks to tell his own story. The description of the 100 hours of Desert Storm, with all of its excitement, confusion, and unpredictability, is Clancy at his best. The reading by Boyd Gaines and Ken Jenkins is excellent. Gaines reads the narrative in a clear and well-paced voice that is pleasing and engaging. Jenkins reads General Franks's dialog with great feeling and disciplined intensity. Indeed, he is the general. This contrast is complementary and enhances a fine work. For popular collections.?Michael T. Fein, Catawba Valley Community Coll., Hickory, N.C.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.