The Commandos [Mass Market Paperback]

Douglas C. Waller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

An experienced Pentagon correspondent for Newsweek reveals the excruciating training and dangerous missions of America's elite fighting forces, including the Navy SEALs and Delta Force, following them into battle in Desert Storm. Reprint. AB. LJ.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite General Schwarzkopf's reluctance to employ them, more than 7000 U.S. special-operations personnel took part in Desert Storm. Waller, a Newsweek reporter, describes an Air Force special-ops helicopter raid that knocked out early-warning radar in Iraq, a Navy SEAL mission on Kuwait's coastline that pinned down two Iraqi divisions, a deep-penetration mission into Iraq by Green Beret teams and the destruction of Scud missiles by Delta Force commandos. There is also a chapter on the contribution of the Army's 4th Psychological Operations Group, which dropped tons of propaganda leaflets that purportedly prompted the surrender of thousands of Iraqi soldiers. Waller argues convincingly that Schwarzkopf, the theater commander, bypassed many opportunities to deploy special-ops forces effectively during the Gulf War, and ascribes his reluctance in large part to the U.S. high command's traditional distrust of "elite" troops. Based on interviews with some 200 members of the special-operations community and his observation of its training methods, Waller has written a revealing, involving appraisal of the nation's most highly trained and specialized soldiers. Photos. First serial to Newsweek; Military Book Club main selection.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Waller ( Congress and the Nuclear Freeze , LJ 6/1/87) attacks his new subject with impunity. The OSS played a heroic role during World War II. The Green Berets have been vilified as the Vietnam War's loose cannons. What of todays's commando types? Did they measure up during Desert Storm? In a dynamite prologue, Waller drops the reader along with eight Green Berets behind Iraqi lines gathering intelligence: the eight stand off a reinforced Iraqi infantry company until extracted by helicopters. A chapter each is invested in illustrating the stringent training and selection procedures Green Berets, SEALS, Delta Force, and Pave Low pilots undergo. The book's second half deals with Desert Storm. Waller argues that the Special Forces remain too politically sensitive for their deployment to be left in the military's hands; their role, as ever, must confine them to the shadows. Highly recommended for modern military collections.
- Richard Paul Snyder, Cty. of Los Angeles P.L., Lakewood
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440220467
• ISBN-13: 978-0440220466
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.3 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military Science

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A rollicking ride that starts strong but finishes slow., October 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Commandos (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a very insightful book that is clearly well researched. The author really sheds light on the types of training and the selection process that American Special Forces soldiers must endure. The Green Beret training was particularly insightful because the author takes you along on some of the war games that the soldiers have to play. The author travels along to "Hell Week" that all Navy Seals have to endure. Where the author stands out, is that he successfully captures the personalities and emotions of the people that he follows. They all come from unique backgrounds, and the author really captures how their personalities affect their thinking as soldiers. I especially liked the fact that the author did a section on Air Force special forces pilots, the guys who fly the helicopters that deliver the more glamourous ground troops. They don't get enough recognition in the action world of hollywood. However, one wonders who designed such a complicated helicopter. REad the book, and all will be explained. The one big disappointment in the book (the reason I'm giving it three stars) is the limited look at Delta Force (the anti-terrorist force). Compared with the rest of the book, this section lacked the detail that made the other sections interesting. This was probably the section that I was most looking forward to so it was quite a disappointment. 3/4 of the book is hugely enjoyable but that one section was a bit lacking.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Commandos goes "above and beyond", April 28, 2000

By 

Brian A McLaughlin (Tucson, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Commandos (Mass Market Paperback)

Commandos is the most in-depth and accurate book about special operations that I have ever read. It is refreshing, and surprising, to see this subject openly addressed, giving hard-earned credit to the men who have worked their tails off to become the absolute best, in the service of their country, while allowing uninitiated readers a realistic glimpse into a mysterious world. I don't claim to personally be completely knowledgeable about this field, but I have worked in the special ops community for a dozen years, in a support role. Based on my knowledge, I can say with confidence that Waller is right on target. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone seriously interested in elite military forces. I also recommend Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down, which deals specifically with the 1993 Task Force Ranger raid in Mogadishu, Somalia.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you are considering joining U.S. Special Operations....., September 6, 2000

By 

Sam Damon Jr. (Fort Bragg, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Commandos (Mass Market Paperback)

Reading Waller's book is like a print edition of a Discovery/History Channel TV special on an American elite force, focusing on the trials/tribulations of the process it takes to join the U.S. military's elite forces. In this, this book is invaluable and has placed itself in its own niche as a must-read book. What is exceptional is that Waller has placed the Air Force special operators in the same category as the ground grunt SOF types (SEALs, Green Berets etc) and this is fitting as it DOES take a special kind of courage to fly in aircraft at the edge of the envelope daily while popular perceptions do not reward you with the respect the ground-SOF types get as being "killers". Waller walked the ground and carried a rucksack to write his book and you have to respect his honesty and desire to get the truth. As an introduction to U.S. Special Operations, Waller achieves his purpose.

Airborne!