The Commanders

Rating:
Summary: The Decisions Behind the Decision of War
Review: The Commanders gives an in depth account of the decisions behind the decision to go to war. It gives a very good description of the organiztaion of high level government, including the roles of the President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, National Security Adviser, the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, and the Commanders-in-Chiefs (CINCS) of the 10 Unified and Specified Commands. The chain of command is more complicated than you might think because some positions give commands while others only give advice. The book fully details the planning and execution the Panama invasion Operation Just Cause and describes the planning and preparation of the Operation Desert Shield. After reading the book, you realize we could have suffered a major defeat to the Iraqui's. In the very beginnning of the conflict, we only had a few thousands light troops in Saudi Arabia while Saddam had divisions of tanks and infantry. He could have overrun Saudi Arabia but the just the threat of the American military scared him off. The book does not describe Operation Desert Storm which is a minus. I recommend this book because there are lessons to be learned from the top leaders (I learned alot from General Powell, one of my favorite leaders), and it lets you understand the process that occurs before the order for war can be given.

Rating:
Summary: Fly-on-the-wall-view
Review: This book gives great insight on the workings of our government and to the detail of individualism. Once I picked up the book, I couldn't put it down. The book even covers the behind the scene steps leading up to Desert Sheild and day one of Desert Storm. The book doesn't get a 10 because it had to end and left no closure point.

Rating:
Summary: Does Woodward bug every military/govt official? A 10!
Review: Whether you feel Bob Woodward is biased politically. As a journalist, he is without peer. This unbelievably detaailed and engrossing account of the most significant event of the past decade and the events leading up to it and the decisionmakers involved in it is a true masterpiece. A copy of this book should be in every library in America! It's that good!

Rating:
Summary: Typical Woodward
Review: Woodward's books are all the same. They are detailed, well researched and incredibly readable. Each one a treat. The most amusing aspect of them, (considering that he is co-author of the book that brought down Nixon) is the reverence with which he treats the establishment figures. Doubtless this is because they are his sources. If one keeps this bias in mind and reads between the lines a bit, you can generally get a good idea of who's who and what's what. This particular book is an examination of the military preparation and political decision making that led up to the Attack on Panama and The Gulf War. The insight into the military command structure and the perspectives of the men in the chain of command is excellent. It could also be viewed as a love letter to Colin Powell, doubtless it helped to establish the Generals reputation as a 'great man'. Riveting and gripping, I recommend the book highly.