Desert Skies [Hardcover]

Michael T. Gregory (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2001

Desert Skies" is a novel about Attack Helicopter Warfare in the Gulf War. It includes insight into small unit tactics and training, the downsizing of the United States military, ramifications of technological advances and the book offers a look into potential causes of Gulf War Syndrome.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael T. Gregory is a retired US Army Officer currently residing near San Antonio, Texas. He spends most of his time traveling and working on his jump shot. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 466 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corporation; 1 edition (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738824356
• ISBN-13: 978-0738824352
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,015,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, June 1, 2002

By 

Jason Logue (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Skies (Paperback)

Fiction based on fact is a very clever way for an author to get across their story without falling into the clutches of either the hierarchy or the trainspotters who wish to take exception with the insignificant things. With Desert Skies the author has managed to capture the full range of emotions felt by military leaders at all levels, from pure disgust and hatred through to absolute fear, without naming names (although I'm sure those in the "Champions" could put faces to the situations).

What really surprised me about the book is that it not a story of helicopter warfare ... instead it is a story of devoted leadership set within an attack helicopter unit.
It tells of the fine line between being one of the boys or being in "command", demanding respect or earning respect and most importantly that fear of failing subordinates is (and should be) the driving factor behind day-to-day decisions.
Desert Skies is a timely reminder that the military is about people and getting the absolute most out of them in any circumstance... something that gets quickly forgotten in times of peace. It is an absolute shame that it takes a war for us to treat our soldiers (at all levels) with the respect and loyalty they deserve.
I thoroughly recommend this book to military leaders of all levels ... despite it being written by a company commander even section commanders will get something out of it (in fact I think that junior leaders will get the most from the book). I also recommend those very same people work hard on convincing their partners to read it. The author puts into words the range of emotions and conflicting priorities felt by commanders with families far more eloquently and understandably than I ever seem to be able to do in the heat of the moment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly readable and thought provoking, September 30, 2002

By 

Stephen Dryden (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Skies (Paperback)

`Desert Skies' is a great novel. Highly readable and thought provoking, Michael Gregory has captured the essence of what it is to be a military professional.

Ostensibly about attack helicopter tactics in the Gulf War, `Desert Skies' quickly proves that it is about more than this. With a focus that is squarely on the trials and tribulations of a junior army officer in a position of great responsibility, the reader is given a rare insight into the `human' face of leadership. The challenges that the central character and his family face, and the impact of his leadership decisions upon himself, his troop and his family, faithfully portrays the dilemma that it is command. Importantly, it shows that command and the responsibility that goes with it doesn't stop once the uniform is taken off and that the answers are rarely textbook in nature.

This is a book well worth reading, and when you have finished with it, hand it to your spouse.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN, May 1, 2001

By 

Joe Gullekson (Harker Heights, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Skies (Hardcover)

From the moment that I started reading "Desert Skies", I could not put it down till I finished it. I have a much greater appreciation for the soldiers that defend our country. This book gave me a great sense of pride for the Military Personal that protect our country. The Author, Mike Gregory, gave tremendous insight into what it takes to make our military run and not run. I found myself experiencing every emotion as I read on. The pride and dedication of the Soldiers made me cry and the buracrats made me mad as hell. I recommend this book to everyone. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster. Walk a day in "Tom Lawton's Desert Skies" and see what I mean.