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Commanders
Into the Storm; a Study in Command [In Japanese Language]
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 healing the wounds Vietnam inflicted. "But this time [the Gulf War], it was going to end differently. They all would see to that."In his brilliant, bestselling novels, Tom Clancy has explored the most dramatic military and security issues of our time. Now he takes readers deep into the operational art of war with this insightful look at one of America's most important military engagements in recent the Gulf War. Never before has the art of maneuver warfare been explored so incisively and in such rich, provocative detail. Clancy and General Frederick M. Franks, Jr.-commander of the main force that broke the back of the Republican Guard-take us deep inside the war councils and command posts and up to the front lines. They give us a war that few people really knew-and that television never showed.
Tankobon Hardcover
First published May 19, 1997
144 people are currently reading
1871 people want to read
About the author
Tom Clancy
972 books9,045 followersThomas Leo Clancy Jr. was an American novelist and military-political thriller pioneer. Raised in a middle-class Irish-American family, he developed an early fascination with military history. Despite initially studying physics at Loyola College, he switched to English literature, graduating in 1969 with a modest GPA. His aspirations of serving in the military were dashed due to severe myopia, leading him instead to a career in the insurance business.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.” This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
While working at a small insurance agency, Clancy spent his spare time writing what would become The Hunt for Red October (1984). Published by the Naval Institute Press for an advance of $5,000, the book received an unexpected boost when President Ronald Reagan praised it as “the best yarn.” This propelled Clancy to national fame, selling millions of copies and establishing his reputation for technical accuracy in military and intelligence matters. His meticulous research and storytelling ability granted him access to high-ranking U.S. military officials, further enriching his novels.
Clancy’s works often featured heroic protagonists such as Jack Ryan and John Clark, emphasizing themes of patriotism, military expertise, and political intrigue. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, he became one of the best-selling authors in America, with titles like Red Storm Rising (1986), Patriot Games (1987), Clear and Present Danger (1989), and The Sum of All Fears (1991) dominating bestseller lists. Several of these were adapted into commercially successful films.
In addition to novels, Clancy co-authored nonfiction works on military topics and lent his name to numerous book series and video game franchises, including Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. His influence extended beyond literature, as he became a part-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and was involved in various business ventures, including a failed attempt to purchase the Minnesota Vikings.
Politically, Clancy was a staunch conservative, often weaving his views into his books and publicly criticizing left-leaning policies. He gained further attention after the September 11 attacks, discussing intelligence failures and counterterrorism strategies on news platforms.
Clancy’s financial success was immense. By the late 1990s, his publishing deals were worth tens of millions of dollars. He lived on an expansive Maryland estate featuring a World War II Sherman tank and later purchased a luxury penthouse in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
He was married twice, first to Wanda Thomas King, with whom he had four children, and later to journalist Alexandra Marie Llewellyn, with whom he had one daughter.
Tom Clancy passed away on October 1, 2013, at the age of 66 due to heart failure. His legacy endures through his novels, their adaptations, and the continuation of the Jack Ryan series by other writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 13, 2013
Popular author Tom Clancy, well known for his techno-filled espionage super-thriller novels has been able to impart on his readers a certain air of plausibility through the extremely tight plots and concise attention to technical detail his fiction novels portray. Over the years, Clancy has capitalized on this trust by publishing a series of nonfiction ‘Guided Tour’ books that describe how military units and certain systems operate, giving the reader a very detailed and highly glamorized view of American war-fighting capabilities.
Into the Storm: A Study in Command , co-authored by Ret. General Fred Franks Jr., purports to be a ‘study in command,’ part one of a four-part series designed to give the reader a broader view of how military leaders grow and learn. For those that may not know, General Franks, VII Corps Commander in Operation Desert Storm, became embroiled in controversy for his conduct during and after the war. Franks was accused by critics of not moving aggressively enough toward his—and the entire ground campaign’s—key objective: destroying the Iraqi Republican Guard. Theater commander, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, had identified the Republican Guard as the most important operational center of gravity—the nexus of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s power. He assigned Franks’ VII Corps the task of destroying the Republican Guard—the famed left hook maneuver—while the Marines on his right flank fixed the regular units in place in Kuwait, and the XVIII Airborne Corps on Franks’ left to cut off any retreating forces. Franks’ corps failed to accomplish this mission, and much has been written about it since.
Into the Storm is Franks’ attempt at exoneration. One of his harshest critics was General Schwarzkopf, who blamed Franks’ slowness and indecisiveness for the failure. Franks seems to be using Clancy’s book to fire back at Schwarzkopf whose memoir, It Doesn’t Take a Hero , recounts the accusations. Clancy is either completely unaware of all this taking place by getting lost in the details and artistry of large-scale maneuver land battle doctrine, or has allowed Franks a platform in which to return fire through a highly detailed narrative written by Franks in the final three hundred pages of the book.
Ultimately, for the studied military historian, Franks’ battle against the Republican Guard looked much like the battle of Antietam; the enemy conceded the field losing the tactical battle, but the victor missed the larger opportunity. Antietam helped accomplish several political goals, but it could have shortened the Civil War by many years. Similarly, destruction of the Republican Guard might have accomplished the coalition’s second-order goal, the overthrow of Hussein’s regime. Schwarzkopf stood in relation to Franks as much as Abraham Lincoln stood in relation to Union General McClellan—prodding and cajoling him into action. History does indeed repeat itself. Both cases provide a valuable lesson; when commanders focus more on what damage an enemy can inflict on them than the damage they can inflict on the enemy, they will not win. General Franks certainly did not lose his fight, but just as certain did not win it either. All of Clancy’s writing skill and Franks’ exculpatory detail cannot hide that fact.
Into the Storm: A Study in Command , co-authored by Ret. General Fred Franks Jr., purports to be a ‘study in command,’ part one of a four-part series designed to give the reader a broader view of how military leaders grow and learn. For those that may not know, General Franks, VII Corps Commander in Operation Desert Storm, became embroiled in controversy for his conduct during and after the war. Franks was accused by critics of not moving aggressively enough toward his—and the entire ground campaign’s—key objective: destroying the Iraqi Republican Guard. Theater commander, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, had identified the Republican Guard as the most important operational center of gravity—the nexus of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s power. He assigned Franks’ VII Corps the task of destroying the Republican Guard—the famed left hook maneuver—while the Marines on his right flank fixed the regular units in place in Kuwait, and the XVIII Airborne Corps on Franks’ left to cut off any retreating forces. Franks’ corps failed to accomplish this mission, and much has been written about it since.
Into the Storm is Franks’ attempt at exoneration. One of his harshest critics was General Schwarzkopf, who blamed Franks’ slowness and indecisiveness for the failure. Franks seems to be using Clancy’s book to fire back at Schwarzkopf whose memoir, It Doesn’t Take a Hero , recounts the accusations. Clancy is either completely unaware of all this taking place by getting lost in the details and artistry of large-scale maneuver land battle doctrine, or has allowed Franks a platform in which to return fire through a highly detailed narrative written by Franks in the final three hundred pages of the book.
Ultimately, for the studied military historian, Franks’ battle against the Republican Guard looked much like the battle of Antietam; the enemy conceded the field losing the tactical battle, but the victor missed the larger opportunity. Antietam helped accomplish several political goals, but it could have shortened the Civil War by many years. Similarly, destruction of the Republican Guard might have accomplished the coalition’s second-order goal, the overthrow of Hussein’s regime. Schwarzkopf stood in relation to Franks as much as Abraham Lincoln stood in relation to Union General McClellan—prodding and cajoling him into action. History does indeed repeat itself. Both cases provide a valuable lesson; when commanders focus more on what damage an enemy can inflict on them than the damage they can inflict on the enemy, they will not win. General Franks certainly did not lose his fight, but just as certain did not win it either. All of Clancy’s writing skill and Franks’ exculpatory detail cannot hide that fact.
June 14, 2013
You have to first understand that I was with the VII Corps G2 (Intelligence) Planning Group during Desert Shield and Through Desert Storm. I had the honor and prvivledge of sitting at many of the planning sessions with General Franks.
With that said, Clancy and Franks have done a fantastic job with this book. It not only tells the story of the Iraqi ground war but also gives us the history of many of those who were involved. This is important to understand the hows and whys of certain decisions made during the planning and implementation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who studies history, military history, or tactics.
With that said, Clancy and Franks have done a fantastic job with this book. It not only tells the story of the Iraqi ground war but also gives us the history of many of those who were involved. This is important to understand the hows and whys of certain decisions made during the planning and implementation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who studies history, military history, or tactics.
April 30, 2012
This one has been on my reading list for a very long time – over a decade actually. I am glad, however, that it’s taken so long for me to read, since I believe I understand the full import of what Franks was attempting to communicate. The emphasis is on the adaptability of the modern U.S. Army. His focus is not so much on tactical adaptability – though that certainly is a large part of his story – but on the long-term adaptability. Seeing how the robust changes that were necessary and rigorously pursued in the post-Vietnam era resulted in the resounding victory of the 1991 Persian Gulf War brought a lot of truths together for me. I had known it as a fact, having heard it from my own father many times, but seeing specifically how those changes were purposefully implemented was eye-opening. Why? Because since 1991, the Army hasn’t once ceased to transform. And MY Army has been actively transforming amidst a conflict, both as a response to the conflict itself, e.g. counterinsurgency doctrine and TTPs, but for the long term (modularity of force structure, intelligence architecture, etc). Yet reading this operational account of what is arguably one of the last true army-on-army conflicts that a developed nation has undertaken, my concerns that the Army has gone too far down the counter-insurgency rabbit hole and has lost its true warfighting capability has increased even further. As an artillery lieutenant, it was apparent that my generation was missing out on learning to fight the battery fight. Furthermore, any artillery office commissioned after 9/11 has only the slightest inkling of how to begin to create a true fire support plan at brigade or higher. As an intelligence captain, I recognize how my peers will have a huge mountain to climb to regain traditional predictive analysis of an enemy order of battle. And doing the above on the move in a highly mobile environment without reliance on the multitudes of network connections to which we are now accustomed is a frightening thought.
But one thing Franks makes clear. Our military has the determination to lead our country into its next challenges in every generation. And there are signs now, growing stronger with each month, that our leadership recognizes these challenges and will ensure our force is ready for whatever is over the next hill.
But one thing Franks makes clear. Our military has the determination to lead our country into its next challenges in every generation. And there are signs now, growing stronger with each month, that our leadership recognizes these challenges and will ensure our force is ready for whatever is over the next hill.
November 2, 2008
Very light on what actually happened during the operation against the Iraqi army, the focus of the book was on General Franks and the decisions he made in the command tent based on the information he had.
A pity, as it would have been highly illuminating to see how his subordinates reacted to the orders they received form him and how their commanders dealt with those and so on all the way down to the units on the ground.
As it was, the book largely read like an attempt by General Franks to vindicate himself against the claims made by his commanding officer, Norman Schwarzkopf, and suffers as a result.
A pity, as it would have been highly illuminating to see how his subordinates reacted to the orders they received form him and how their commanders dealt with those and so on all the way down to the units on the ground.
As it was, the book largely read like an attempt by General Franks to vindicate himself against the claims made by his commanding officer, Norman Schwarzkopf, and suffers as a result.
April 5, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish. It was a masterful retelling of why Operation Desert Storm was such as military success. Why we didn't finish the job by toppling Saddam in 1991 was not a decision made by the military. (That's for the civilian policy makers to decide. Different discussion!) Nevertheless, General Franks commanded the "left hook" that was so successful in crushing the Iraqi army. And as Franks argued rightly, that success came not in 1991 but in the 1970s and 1980s as the Army had to be reborn in some many different ways.
Yes, the tech upgrades like the highly superior M1A1 and controversial but still successful M2 Bradley and AH-64 Apaches. I'm talking about the Army only at this point. What I did not know was how the training was completely revolutionized too - like Battle Labs, freedom to experiment new tactics, new equipment, and above all, new training and doctrine. The refusal to succumb to "Not Made Here" syndrome rather by watching and asking the Israelis about the 1973 Yom Kippur War - what worked, what didn't, what could be improved, etc.
I was reading the blurb to another book - the The Generals' War about the disagreements between Schwarzkopf, Yeosock, and Franks. I didn't get that sense. Was Franks trying exonerate himself? I didn't get that sense. Was Yeosock as "incompetent" as he was made out to be in another book? Possibly, but Yeosock was the Third Army commander and did one thing well as a manager, not always as a general and that was to parse his superior's intents, shield his subordinates from unnecessary and perhaps unwarranted criticism from the top, enable his subordinates to do their job, motivate them to give 115%, and defend them to the hilt when they are right.
The other aspect which I enjoyed was how Franks insisted the Army not rest on its laurels of Desert Storm but continue to transform to fight in the 21st century. We saw how well it worked in OEF and OIF's opening phases.
Thus, 5 stars, no regrets for such a long book.
Yes, the tech upgrades like the highly superior M1A1 and controversial but still successful M2 Bradley and AH-64 Apaches. I'm talking about the Army only at this point. What I did not know was how the training was completely revolutionized too - like Battle Labs, freedom to experiment new tactics, new equipment, and above all, new training and doctrine. The refusal to succumb to "Not Made Here" syndrome rather by watching and asking the Israelis about the 1973 Yom Kippur War - what worked, what didn't, what could be improved, etc.
I was reading the blurb to another book - the The Generals' War about the disagreements between Schwarzkopf, Yeosock, and Franks. I didn't get that sense. Was Franks trying exonerate himself? I didn't get that sense. Was Yeosock as "incompetent" as he was made out to be in another book? Possibly, but Yeosock was the Third Army commander and did one thing well as a manager, not always as a general and that was to parse his superior's intents, shield his subordinates from unnecessary and perhaps unwarranted criticism from the top, enable his subordinates to do their job, motivate them to give 115%, and defend them to the hilt when they are right.
The other aspect which I enjoyed was how Franks insisted the Army not rest on its laurels of Desert Storm but continue to transform to fight in the 21st century. We saw how well it worked in OEF and OIF's opening phases.
Thus, 5 stars, no regrets for such a long book.
May 3, 2023
Book Review – Into the Storm: A Study in Command – Tom Clancy
In the first of four nonfiction military books of the Commander Series, “Into the Storm: On the Ground” is a ‘real-life’ account told by Tom Clancy of Retried US Army General Frederick M. Franks, Jr. during the first Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991). Franks commanded the armor and infantry forces of VII Corps – the main coalition that broke the back of Iraq’s notorious Republican Guard. Clancy and Franks take the readers deep inside the war intelligence and ground forces on the front lines, to tell the story that television news could never tell. The nonfiction narrative is a good story on the intricacies of military command during the Iraqi War. For those keen on such military ‘nuts and bolts’ details, this book is an intriguing read. Into the Storm is actually a ‘transformation’ story about how the US Army transformed itself from the humiliations of the Vietnam War to the proper discipline, training, weapons, and fighting successes of Operation Desert Storm. Again, the book is an historic account of US Army tactical procedures during the Gulf War and not a typical Tom Clancy techno-thriller with plausible espionage details. Clancy and Franks do a good job in weaving the strategy and history of the two wars – Vietnam and Gulf into the evolution the Army had to make in order to be a successful military force. A very ‘insightful’ read!
In the first of four nonfiction military books of the Commander Series, “Into the Storm: On the Ground” is a ‘real-life’ account told by Tom Clancy of Retried US Army General Frederick M. Franks, Jr. during the first Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm (1990-1991). Franks commanded the armor and infantry forces of VII Corps – the main coalition that broke the back of Iraq’s notorious Republican Guard. Clancy and Franks take the readers deep inside the war intelligence and ground forces on the front lines, to tell the story that television news could never tell. The nonfiction narrative is a good story on the intricacies of military command during the Iraqi War. For those keen on such military ‘nuts and bolts’ details, this book is an intriguing read. Into the Storm is actually a ‘transformation’ story about how the US Army transformed itself from the humiliations of the Vietnam War to the proper discipline, training, weapons, and fighting successes of Operation Desert Storm. Again, the book is an historic account of US Army tactical procedures during the Gulf War and not a typical Tom Clancy techno-thriller with plausible espionage details. Clancy and Franks do a good job in weaving the strategy and history of the two wars – Vietnam and Gulf into the evolution the Army had to make in order to be a successful military force. A very ‘insightful’ read!
October 21, 2023
This is not one of Clancy's techno-thriller stories. It is the story of the 1991 Gulf War where the United States and a coalition of other countries fought Iraq after Saddam Hussein tried to take over Kuwait.
The focus of this non-fiction account is on co-author General Fred Franks who led his VII Corp of armor and infantry against the Iraq forces. There was considerable friction between General Franks and his superior officer, General Norman Schwarzkopf, during this operation and it feels like it was somewhat an attempt at vindication for Franks.
However, this is also the story of the rebirth of the U. S. Army in the years after the Vietnam War and where it needs to go from 1991 forward. A long time has passed since this book was written and we have so far managed to avoid the next big war. Will we be ready?
For the armchair quarterbacks this book is full of all the strategy and troop movements and the aftermath. It was for me a very interesting but long read.
The focus of this non-fiction account is on co-author General Fred Franks who led his VII Corp of armor and infantry against the Iraq forces. There was considerable friction between General Franks and his superior officer, General Norman Schwarzkopf, during this operation and it feels like it was somewhat an attempt at vindication for Franks.
However, this is also the story of the rebirth of the U. S. Army in the years after the Vietnam War and where it needs to go from 1991 forward. A long time has passed since this book was written and we have so far managed to avoid the next big war. Will we be ready?
For the armchair quarterbacks this book is full of all the strategy and troop movements and the aftermath. It was for me a very interesting but long read.
November 29, 2023
Into the Storm is a non-fiction book – part biography and part history. It is the story of General Fred Franks Jr. and the story of Desert Storm. It is the story of the U.S. Army and how they brought themselves back from the troubling days of Vietnam to being a top-notch military force that could be proud of themselves.
As in many of Clancy’s fiction books, the sense that it takes many many people working together to make up a military operation comes through clearly here. General Franks is allowed to tell much of his own story, and he is not afraid to name names and cite the people he worked with in whatever area they were working. His respect for his soldiers and fellow officers also comes through clearly.
Though this is a long book, and about military operations, a subject I would not normally consider that interesting, it is not dull at all. And if this is a subject that interests you, you should find it fascinating indeed.
As in many of Clancy’s fiction books, the sense that it takes many many people working together to make up a military operation comes through clearly here. General Franks is allowed to tell much of his own story, and he is not afraid to name names and cite the people he worked with in whatever area they were working. His respect for his soldiers and fellow officers also comes through clearly.
Though this is a long book, and about military operations, a subject I would not normally consider that interesting, it is not dull at all. And if this is a subject that interests you, you should find it fascinating indeed.
October 19, 2021
Very interesting look at General Fred Franks, commanding the VII Corps in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991. Part biography, part history of military strategy, and part military history (Vietnam and the Gulf War), Clancy does a good job in weaving the various parts together. You can see some of the evolution of Army doctrine from the post-Vietnam landscape, through AirLand Battle, into the successful form of the early 1990s. The focus on the ground war in 1991 is limited in scope, though, focusing only on VII Corps; for a more detailed and broader look, check out Rick Atkinson's "Crusade".
August 12, 2019
First 3rd is ok but the rest is a historic account of US army tactical proceedure during the gulf war told by 3 start general Fred Franks.. somewhat interesting topic but overall a dull book, reads like a textbook with little focus on the actual combat.. not what I expected at all, don't know why I even finished it, disappointed overall, first Tom Clancy book I wasn't into
August 12, 2024
Can a book have too much detail despite being interesting detail? Unfortunately I felt Into the Storm is that. Don't get me wrong, I felt I was part of Desert Storm through the eyes of General Franks. The detail is vivid, the setting is grand, the strategy and tactics understandable. It's thus a bit unfortunate that I was overwhelmed by the level of detail, such that the narrative was a bit lost. Still a great book though.
June 30, 2025
Not for everyone. A top down military history and discussion of leadership. I read this because a friend served with General Franks after Desert Storm and it was recommended.
I enjoyed the military history of it all. However some of it was above my head with technical military jargon. The maps were very small and hard to read.
A good read if you're interested..l./
I enjoyed the military history of it all. However some of it was above my head with technical military jargon. The maps were very small and hard to read.
A good read if you're interested..l./
January 26, 2025
Its an okay book. At some times too detailed, at sometimes not detailed enough. If you're really interested in the life of fred franks, the reorganization of the usa after the vietnam war and the gulf war from the point of fred franks, then you might enjoy reading this book.
November 16, 2018
Long,, but comprehensive of a complex piece of history. Encourages you to keep going through the mire of life.
June 29, 2019
Boring and very dry
February 25, 2021
Couldn't really get into it....story of Iraq war..desert storm....stopped after 129 pages!
Want to read
January 28, 2022March 8, 2022
GREAT book. Very detailed, and easy to read. Highly recommend.
May 2, 2021
I enjoyed this book but it may not be for everyone. I think it could have helped with some editing to tighten it up- it can occasionally drag a bit. Furthermore I did not like the drawings. They were too simplified and did not clearly reflect the tactics and strategy's that were used. However the book did succeed in giving you insight into Gen Tom Franks perception of what happened as well as some of the substantial equipment and organizational changes made to the army since Vietnam.
I was aware that Gen Schwarzkopf was critical of the aggressiveness of Gen Franks and some of the senior leadership. Gen Franks defends himself well, while explaining that communications can frequently get scrambled going both up and down the chain. I will have to read Gen Schwarzkophf's take on it. I did think that Franks comes off as a little hesitant (frequently for good reasons- like wanting to prevent friendly fire incidents) but I could see why Schwarzkopf might have been perturbed. The shear size of the operation and the amount of soldiers mobilized, certainly could have been interpreted as reflecting an excess of caution.
I was aware that Gen Schwarzkopf was critical of the aggressiveness of Gen Franks and some of the senior leadership. Gen Franks defends himself well, while explaining that communications can frequently get scrambled going both up and down the chain. I will have to read Gen Schwarzkophf's take on it. I did think that Franks comes off as a little hesitant (frequently for good reasons- like wanting to prevent friendly fire incidents) but I could see why Schwarzkopf might have been perturbed. The shear size of the operation and the amount of soldiers mobilized, certainly could have been interpreted as reflecting an excess of caution.
October 17, 2023
Only read this book if you are quite interested in the strategy and theory of tank movement.
January 10, 2018
Perhaps this deserves more stars for the mountain of detail and research contained herein. But, I wanted a thrilling overview of the Desert Storm tank battles, etc. and I got a textbook on military strategy employed by co-author Gen'l Fred Franks, Jr.. Of course, this is great since he was there directing the WWII-scale tank battles and enveloping pincer movements that overran the Republican Guard divisions and their support. Also, there are many point-by-point responses to how on the second day of the ground war, Norman Schwarzkopf publicly expressed frustration over what he characterized as VII Corps' slow pace, and other shortcomings Schwarzkopf declared with Franks in his memoir memoir, It Doesn't Take a Hero: The Autobiography of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. More of my complaints are like the prevalence of military acronyms mires the reading and the text moves from Clancy to Franks speaking with, at times, insufficient warning. Finally, in this era of military vs. terrorists and asymmetric warfare, the large scale land battles envisioned and accomplished by Franks seem outdated, even quaint. The overview of his post-Desert Storm careen with
November 19, 2016
Not a bad book by any means, but it is at least twice as long as it needed to be. Reading it is like looking through archive holdings-- Franks' diaries in this case-- more than anything else. In some ways that's good in that the reader is getting the raw material and can do their own analysis, but it does drag on. If you've read military histories of the Gulf War, read this one for the view of the land commander... it's a different look at the subject than you get elsewhere. I learned a lot about Franks' decision-making and circumstances that I had not found in other works and gained a lot more respect for his efforts.
July 30, 2023
spaces:
p36: He drew two lessons from the firsthand accounts he heard of the action that morning: First, the 1st CAV was able to strike back hard with a combinationof ground maneuver, artillery, and air and severely punish the Iraqis.
p308: To augment the U.S. Army heavy equipment transporter trucks, he hired indigenouslabor from Pakistan and other nations, with trucks, for the 800-plus-kilometer round trip to the desert.
p372: Since my G-3, Colonel Stan Cherrie, was at this point already about fifty kilometers northwest at the TAC CP, Colonel Mike Hawk gave the G-3 portionof the briefing.
punctuation:
p823: Peace and freedom will prevail"
Thank you for your service.
p36: He drew two lessons from the firsthand accounts he heard of the action that morning: First, the 1st CAV was able to strike back hard with a combinationof ground maneuver, artillery, and air and severely punish the Iraqis.
p308: To augment the U.S. Army heavy equipment transporter trucks, he hired indigenouslabor from Pakistan and other nations, with trucks, for the 800-plus-kilometer round trip to the desert.
p372: Since my G-3, Colonel Stan Cherrie, was at this point already about fifty kilometers northwest at the TAC CP, Colonel Mike Hawk gave the G-3 portionof the briefing.
punctuation:
p823: Peace and freedom will prevail"
Thank you for your service.
June 2, 2013
An interesting story told by Tom Clancy about and with the perspective of General Frederick Franks. From his time in Vietnam, his injury and recuperation, to leading VII Corps in Iraq with the famous "left hook", it doesn't get much more honest than this. If you want to learn about the on the ground details of the Gulf War, and the other side of the controversy between Franks and Schwarzkopf, then this book is a fantastic history lesson. Very technical reading which was at times difficult to follow but that simply adds to the "real deal" of this story.
June 14, 2015
This is the first actual book I ever read on The Gulf War (recommended by my cousin) and I couldn't have been more pleased. I was very familiar with Tom Clancy, but I never knew he wrote this book.
I have always been fascinated with history and wars... dating back to my junior high school days.
Tom executes this book flawlessly. And to have Frank ( A general I only read about online) play a role in the creation of this art only cements its place at being a great book.
I have always been fascinated with history and wars... dating back to my junior high school days.
Tom executes this book flawlessly. And to have Frank ( A general I only read about online) play a role in the creation of this art only cements its place at being a great book.
April 5, 2014
A worthwhile look at the planning of a large-scale military campaign and its execution. Also, what a general's eye view of an armored corps in action looks like. The sections written by Clancy go over the top as far as patriotic language. Those penned by General Franks, however, are lucid and informative.The book has aged fairly well since my last read through, about fifteen years ago.
June 21, 2015
Had some good insights into the Gulf War, to include an alternative perspective to Norman Schwarzkopf, also some leadership nuggets taken away.
Don't remember when I finished this, but overall was a good read.
Don't remember when I finished this, but overall was a good read.
September 14, 2014
Well done with some great insights. This is the first account I have read about the first Iraq war. It was engaging with the right amount of detail. General Frank's predictions about future warfare is spot on. Recommend for anyone interested in the history of Desert Storm.
January 2, 2016
I enjoyed this book when it dealt with people's stories and experiences. When it delved into technical language and statistics, though, it became something of a slog to get through. I recommend Into the Storm to military history buffs with a taste for facts.
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January 5, 2016Ne ho letti di mattoni, ma questo è davvero illeggibile: non sono riuscito a superare le 60 pagine.
Un'agiografia del generale Franks farcita di dettagli così inutili e insignificanti da far crescere il muschio sugli occhi.
Un'agiografia del generale Franks farcita di dettagli così inutili e insignificanti da far crescere il muschio sugli occhi.
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