Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 [Hardcover]

Harold Lee Wise (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2007

From the Iraqi attack on the USS Stark to Iranian mine fields to Revolutionary Guard gunboats, the 1987-88 Persian Gulf was a place of shadowy danger for U.S. Navy ships assigned to protect oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. A low-profile escort mission quickly became an international test of wills between the United States and Iran. The conflict escalated to involve secret missions and special operations until finally the United States and Iran engaged in open combat, most notably during Operation Praying Mantis in April 1988, the world's largest sea-air battle since World War II.

It was the largest deployment of American forces between the Vietnam War and Desert Storm and one with dramatic implications for subsequent events. Yet, the story remained mostly untold and misunderstood for almost two decades. Inside the Danger Zone is the first book ever published to focus on this period, a fourteen-month span that saw an unprecedented series of American military action in this volatile region.

Based on declassified documents and extensive interviews with veterans and government officials, many of which spoke out for the first time, Inside the Danger Zone is a fast moving narrative history that tells the story of this quasi-war with Iran from the White House to the front lines.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...reads like a Tom Clancy thriller--or, rather, better." -- Christopher Dickey, "Bluff and Bloodshed," Newsweek.com, May 1, 2008.

"This excellent book has it all. A history that reads like a novel, it combines naval action, oil politics, religious and regional rivalries, triumph and disaster. Another masterpiece from The Naval Institute Press!"  --Baird Online

"Four Stars: Highly recommended. An excellent book."  - National Association of Destroyer Veterans

About the Author

Harold Lee Wise is an adjunct history professor in North Carolina. He won the Ben H. Powell writing award at Sam Houston State University and is a frequent contributor to military history encyclopedias.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (May 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591149703
• ISBN-13: 978-1591149705
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #832,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > History > Middle East > Kuwait

More About the Author

Harold Lee Wise is an adjunct history professor at the College of the Albemarle in North Carolina. His research specialty is recent U.S. military history. His quotes have appeared in media such as Newsweek and Bloomberg. He was the winner of the 2004 Ben H. Powell writing award and frequently contributes to history encyclopedias. Wise lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and is currently researching for another book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, Well Researched, And a Good Read, July 4, 2007

By 

Mark Haynes (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 (Hardcover)

I was there. I am former U.S. Navy Petty Officer Mark Haynes, and was aboard the USS Fox during the summer of 1987. After the attack on the USS Stark, the USS Acadia was dispatched to the Persian Gulf to begin repairs on the ship. The Acadia needed an armed escort, and that's how my ship, the Fox, found its way into the gulf. It was a very tense time for the sailors in the Persian Gulf, and a scary time for me, as it was my first deployment. I wrote a book about my own experiences aboard the Fox during that time, called Liberty Call - USS Fox (CG-33). Although that work was never published, the author of Inside the Danger Zone found it online and contacted me for permission to quote my work in his. I gladly gave him permission. Harold drew from a large number of personal accounts such as mine, and has written an all encompassing book about this important part of US Naval history. Harold's work is a page-turner. Based to a large extent on first-hand accounts from sailors and officers who were there, this book offers what the news stories of the time could not - an inside look at the actions and emotions of the military personnel that were in the heart of the conflict. Inside the Danger Zone is not just history, it is drama. Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before the Persian Gulf was "cool"..., May 17, 2007

By 

Jeremy A. Ward "The Shanghaied Marine" (Arlington, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 (Hardcover)

As one who was there and in the middle of all of this, I can tell you that Harold Wise has done his homework. A great book, dutifully researched. He talked to the right guys in the interviews. Paul Evancoe and Chuck Angelo were and are the real deal. Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know some of the earlier history of our ongoing War with Islamic fascists.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Research, Compelling Story, May 23, 2007

By 

Ben F. Small (Tucson, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Inside the Danger Zone: The U.S. Military in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 (Hardcover)

Someone who was involved in the hostilities with Iran during the 1987-88 period recommended this book to me, and I'm very glad he did. This well researched fairly handled story of the tensions, mistakes and victories of the largely unknown skirmishes between Iran and the United States during the Iraq-Iran War stands out as an early indicator of some of the problems we face yet today. It also serves as a warning that gutting our military, as has occurred during supposedly peaceful times, and as was done with our minesweepers and response teams after the Vietnam War, can come back to haunt us, as we are seeing again in the Iraq War today. Some peace dividend, huh? Thank God for the brave SEALS and Commanders who used creative ingenuity and sheer guts and skill to outfit and place an oil service barge named Hercules where it would do the most good - striking out of the darkness at the minelayers Iran had denied existed. This is not a pretty story; mistakes at the command level, errors at the presidential level. Ships sunk, Sailors dying. A commercial jet accidently shot down in flames. But this is a story which must be told. It showcases the fear of young soldiers and sailors in harm's way for the first time, the raw kids trained but inexperienced, who see firsthand the hatred of people they don't know. Then there's the grizzled pro, the hardened hero who understands duty, the guy who expects to earn his Hazardous Duty Pay and doesn't ask for reward -- just completion of mission.

INSIDE THE DANGER ZONE provides a useful and informative backdrop for the Persian Gulf conflicts of today. Harold Lee Wise has done an outstanding job preparing INSIDE THE DANGER ZONE. Hopefully, this country learned some lessons and will not repeat its mistakes.