The Gulf Between Us : Love and Terror in Desert Storm [Hardcover]

Col. Cliff Acree (Author), Cynthia B. Acree (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2000

On the second day of the Gulf War, Marine pilot Lt. Col. Cliff Acree was shot down behind Iraqi lines. As squadron commander, Cliff was a potential gold mine of classified information that the Iraqis desperately needed. During his forty-eight days of captivity, he was singled out for mistreatment that included brutal beatings, torture, and starvation. Throughout it all, he refused to put his fellow Marines at risk by complying with Iraqi demands.

Back home, Cliff's wife, Cindy, was suddenly thrust into an international media storm when his battered face was broadcast on the world's television screens. Dealing with politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and other concerned people around the world, she stood poised before the public eye and became an effective advocate for the war's POW/MIA families. Cindy appeared strong, but she feared that she would never see Cliff alive again.

After seven long months apart, with the war finally over, Cliff and Cindy joyously reunited on the tarmac of Andrews Air Force Base as a grateful nation applauded their loyalty and courage. Although determined to return to a normal life together, they found their struggles were far from over. The intense media scrutiny continued, and the lingering physical and psychological wounds of Desert Storm tested the bond between them.

In THE GULF BETWEEN US, Cliff and Cindy take turns telling us about their heart-wrenching and inspiring experiences. This unique look at war is a timeless story that shows the strength, patriotism, and devotion of an extraordinary couple.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Loaded with kitschy, you-are-there dialogue reconstruction and self-dramatization, this husband-and-wife Gulf War memoir won't win any awards. Yet the voices of the Acrees, who trade short chapters in relating Cliff's captivity and its home-front repercussions, have a guileless authenticity. His Ov-10 shot down over southern Kuwait on the war's second day, Acree was captured by the Iraqis and held as a POW for 48 days in Baghdad, until all hostages were released as part of a cease-fire agreement. The book takes the Acrees day-by-day from Cliff's preparations as squadron leader for getting his planes and men from Camp Pendleton to the Middle East (with plenty of technical detail for buffs) to the desperation of Cindy (as she is referred to throughout) for information after his plane went missing, Cliff's brutal torture and unsuccessful coercion by his captors, and the efforts launched by the POW/MIA Liberty Alliance for Operation Desert Storm, spearheaded by Cindy, to draw attention to the plight of Gulf prisoners. Cliff describes the conditions of near-starvation and isolation he endured, along with savage beatings that left him with severe neck, nasal, digestive and heart problems (later addressed by a number of surgeries). The psychological stress he suffered as a POW left Cliff with long-term emotional problems, a second "gulf" that, the couple relates, has been mostly surmounted by the gradual improvement in his physical condition and the birth of the couple's first child. Beyond some--well-earned--posturing, this is a compelling tale. B&w photos.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A compelling story . . .A clear tribute to the human spirit...A very good read!" -- The Strategic Review

"A poignant and hair-raising tale . . . experiences are painted onto the pages . . .never skipping a beat, A true page turner." -- The Insider Magazine

"Of the numerous books written about Desert Storm, one of the best. An uplifting story of patriotism, courage and faith." -- The Gosport, Naval Air Station,Pensacola

"Part heartfelt love story and part military action-adventure. Cindy blends the two with a deft touch . . ." -- Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 28, 2000

"This book is written in two voices and we are delighted to add our two voices to praise Cliff's devotion to duty and Cindy's quiet courage." -- George and Barbara Bush

"[The Acrees'] dual narrative . . . offer{s} valuable perspectives on the Marine Corps "family" -- Booklist

“Demonstrates how love, faith, and courage can help anyone overcome unimaginable struggles.” -- Leatherneck

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 322 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574881590
• ISBN-13: 978-1574881592
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,955,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > History > Middle East > Kuwait

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Precious is Freedom to YOU?, July 18, 2000

By 

Mark Gibson (Springfield, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gulf Between Us : Love and Terror in Desert Storm (Hardcover)

I am compelled to write you tonight. I just finished a book that was a long time in the making, but one that clearly NEEDED to be written. It is the story of a couple of friends of mine -- real American heroes -- and I don't use that word lightly -- and how the strength of their love got them through some mighty tough times. Many of you are former or current military; several have served in Vietnam or Desert Storm, as I did. But I would hazard a guess that none of us has experienced what Cliff Acree has -- a man a deeply admire, respect, and hold dear. In the book "The Gulf Between Us: Love and Terror in Desert Storm," Cliff's wife, Cindy details a gut-wrenching diary of war, torture, incredible endurance and the inseparable bonds that love and Freedom carved into the very souls of Cliff and Cindy. For those of you who don't know what REALLY happened to the POWs in Baghdad, or what the wives of men at war REALLY have to put up with, or what being a hero REALLY means, I encourage you to get this book and read it. This book helped me bring closure to my unsettling experiences in this brief war. It has helped my wife just to talk to me about what it was like back home for her as a de facto CO's wife -- making numerous casualty calls to wives and girlfriends whose husbands had just died -- struggling with young enlisted wives who had sunk so low into depression that they attempted suicide, having infants thrust into her care by strangers who were admitted into the hospital and had nowhere else to turn.... Anyway, I am NOT "Mister Tact," so I can say this without fear of insulting any of you. You are making a terrible MISTAKE if you do not take the opportunity to read this labor of love, honor and courage. There are some things that just MUST be done. Every one of us takes Freedom and life in the United States for granted. You may not after you read this book. Many of you don't know Cliff and Cindy, but you will recognize his face from the CNN re-broadcast of Iraqi TV. You will remember the glare of his eyes, and learn why he couldn't hold his head up. You will see the war through Cindy's eyes, ride the same emotional roller coaster that they did, and if you are like me, you will shed some tears of pain, and some of joy. Buy it. Read it. Honor them both. You will not regret it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Page-turning" Good!, May 4, 2000

By 

2, 099-day Vietnam POW (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gulf Between Us : Love and Terror in Desert Storm (Hardcover)

To those among you who seek a poignant and candid story of two people--one a newly-wed "bride" of some two years; the other, a career Marine Aviator husband and squadron commanding officer--you have to read the story of Cindy and Cliff Acree!

It is a fast-moving description of events in Southwest Asia and in the U.S. in 1991 by a pair of people who rose to the occasion--and prevailed over--the lightening-like and tumultous deveopments of that year. It is not a "kind and soft" sort of story.

Cindy--naive, but tough--in her role as founder of the "Liberty Alliance," had to learn quickly that the expressed concerns of the "bracelet sellers" on behalf of the well-being of Cliff and the other POWs was but one of a number of entreprenurial schemes to make a buck from the unquestioning support of thousands of Americans.

Cliff--dedicated and tough--learned the lesson of past POWs: If your captors really want the information, they can torture every POW in every war beyond his or her limit to resist. He is not the first--nor will he be the last--POW to be tortured beyond: "Name, Rank, Serial Number and Date of Birth," trust me!

Together, upon Cliff's "Return to Freedom," sadly, they both learned the lesson endemic to America, that within a family, the public and media identification of a member as a "hero" is often more difficult to deal with than the events that led to the identification.

Cindy,herself, describes her family as "ordinary people who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances." The joy in reading this book is in learning the limits--through Cindy and Cliff--of which we are all capable.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patriotism At Its Best, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gulf Between Us : Love and Terror in Desert Storm (Hardcover)

If you'd like an incredible, dose of patriotism, this is the book to read. Sometimes, we become so complacent about the freedoms we practice in our great country. This book puts everything we take for granted into perspective. Let me share a brief story with you that summarizes my feelings concerning "The Gulf Between Us". As a teacher of fifth graders, I was becoming increasingly aware of a decline in patriotism as we would say our daily Pledge of Allegiance, this year. Even though I would demand standing straight and tall, right hands over hearts, and eyes on the flag, about halfway through,a shuffling of feet,slouching,and some grinning at each other would begin. After many of my Pledge lectures, I decided to try something else. I sat down with my students and shared some of the ordeals Col.Cliff Acree endured as a POW. I shared how his strong patriotism,his strength of character, and his faith in God, carried him through inhumane experiences most of us will never be able to comprehend. I also shared how his wife and other family members and friends took action through their strong commitments of love, faith, and patriotism. I ended my lesson that day by challenging my students, each time they said the Pledge, to think of Cliff Acree and all others who have so courageously enabled us to enjoy our many freedoms. From then on, my students took the challenge. I did not have to correct them another time. Hopefully, they will carry this renewed sense of patriotism throughout their lives. I know I will. Thank you so very much, Cliff and Cindy.