From: <TWZ101@psuvm.psu.edu>
Subject: Re: Any good books on the Gulf War?
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 01:41:27 GMT


From <TWZ101@psuvm.psu.edu>

In article <1992Apr8.005747.15761@cbnews.cb.att.com>, wwo@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
says:
>
>From wwo@vax5.cit.cornell.edu
>
>In article <1992Apr7.034312.6083@cbnews.cb.att.com>,
>R.J.Collingham@newcastle.ac.uk (R.J.Collingham) writes:
>>
>> Now that it's been over a year since the Gulf War, I have seen several
>recently
>> published books covering the conflict. I was wondering if anyone has
>> purchased any of these and/or can recommend any that give good and complete
>> coverage of the military operations (especially special forces operations)
>> during the war in the Gulf.
>>
     I have tried to keep a lock on all the Gulf War books out so far:  I have
 also tried to read most of them.  Here's a brief review of my bibliography so
 far.
  1. Desert Victory--Norman Friedman--best one so far for technical data,
 although a bit too pro-Navy and anti-Air Force for my tastes.  Not a whole lot
 on politics or decisionmaking.

  2. Thunder in the Desert--James Blackwell (CNN Analyst)--a bit simplistic and
 superficial, but gets the basics down on most issues--not really a critical
 analysis, but a "Yay USA" book.  Some acceptable maps, some politics, some
 strategic, not much technical data.
  3. Triumph Without Victory--staff of U.S. News & World Report--VERY GOOD--
  not tremendously complete, but a lot of fine details on operations, and
  inside political stuff.  If you don't want a general military history, but
  are looking for good info and a well-written book, BUY THIS ONE.


  4. The Commanders--Bob Woodward--haven't read this one, but supposedly an
  "insider's look" at the decisionmaking before and during the war.  Not really
  heavy into military detail.

  5. From Shield to Storm--James Dunnigan and Austin Bay--some good info, not
  really comprehensive.  Reads like an almanac or encyclopedia.

  6. Fury in the Desert--??--EXCELLENT Squadron Signal book on the air war with
  loads of technical data.  If you find this one, BUY IT.

  7. Military Lessons of the Gulf War--multiple authors--compilation of short
  articles, some very detailed, concerning tactical and strategic issues.  Good
  book but too short for the hefty price ($25+ dollars for 150 pages)

  8. Oversize Picture Books: Light on info, heavy on pictures.
                    Triumph in the Desert--OK, probably the 2nd best
                    Victory in the Desert--Time/Life--good technical drawings
                    War in the Gulf--CNN--probably the best, IMHO
                   Whatever the US News picture book is--pretty good, good maps
  9. If you are looking for great maps and info on operations, try the
     following magazines, the last year's worth have loads of good stuff:
          ARMY magazine--SUPERBLY detailed tactical maps
          AIR FORCE magazine--great info on air ops, including a recent article
                        detailing every one of the 668 missions in the first
                        attack wave
          The single best source of theater level maps is _Command_ magazine,
issue #13, which came out last fall, and is still available through backorder
if you pick up the latest issue.  Great, great info on who was where, when, and
why.
     This is only a partial list, but hope it helps.
                                                    --Tom--
                                        "Do you trust what I trust. . .?"