Just Cause: The Real Story of America's High-Tech Invasion of Panama [Hardcover]

Malcolm McConnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1991

A look back at the Gulf War describes the actions of the Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, and F-117A Stealth fighter-bombers who participated in Bush's war in the Gulf. Reprint.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The trial of Manuel Noriega is certain to bring renewed interest in the December 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama which resulted in his arrest. The two books here are dramatically different. Just Cause by McConnell (his last work was assisting General Singlaub with Hazardous Duty , LJ 7/91) is for those who prefer their heroes portrayed as square-jawed, unfailingly earnest, and sure of conviction, and their villains as alcohol-besotted, corrupt, and cowardly. Truth be told, McConnell's style does have its moments, and many of the characters do conform to the stereotypical white hat/black hat formula. But the thriller approach is not enough to satisfy those looking for background and analysis to mix with their melodrama. Operation Just Cause by Donnelly, Margaret Roth, and Caleb Baker provides the detail McConnell leaves out. The coauthors are defense journalists, and their explanations of the U.S. military's personalities and planning policies leave the reader with few unanswered questions on the campaign. They credit brilliant leadership and rigorous training with victory. Academic and public libraries will want to add Operation Just Cause . McConnell's Just Cause should find an appreciative audience in public libraries.
- John R. Vallely, Siena Coll. Lib., Loudonville,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

McConnell (Into the Mouth of a Cat, 1984, etc.) presents a compelling, crisply narrated account of America's 1989 invasion of Panama. Unlike other recent historians of the invasion (e.g., Kevin Buckley in Panama, p. 575), McConnell does not dwell on the political and diplomatic background of the conflict between General Manuel Noriega and the Bush Administration. Instead, after he concisely sums up the atmosphere of tension in Panama City in the days immediately before the invasion (and paints a demonic portrait of Noriega and his defense forces), McConnell plunges into the military mechanics of the invasion itself. In taut, snapshot-like accounts of the surprise attacks of SEALS, Rangers, and other elite troops at Paitilla Airport, the Canal, and additional vital points in Panama City, the author excels in rendering clear what must have been highly confusing combat situations. McConnell emphasizes the sophisticated technology of the invasion, and his account is replete with military acronyms and technobabble reminiscent of a Tom Clancy thriller--although his clear and fast-paced narrative captures well the atmosphere of the invasion. While his admiration for the brilliant execution of the American military is evident, the author balances his account with descriptions of the tragic ``friendly fire'' episodes that needlessly caused a number of American casualties, and the farcical use of rock music to harass Noriega after he took refuge in the Vatican embassy. An excellent narrative of the invasion, and a superb education in American military technology. (Maps and photos--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 307 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312063830
• ISBN-13: 978-0312063832
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,590,354 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > History > Americas > Central America > Panama

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Had to have been there, June 10, 2004

By 

G.T. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Cause: The Real Story of America's High-Tech Invasion of Panama (Hardcover)

The book is a dramatized account of key operations during Operation Just cause. It still is pretty good as it doesn't exaggerate the facts just to make a sale. A couple of books out there are total garbage and make false reference to the actions taken while hiding the sheer stupidity of certain individuals. As for "GI Joe Wannabe's" review what murders was he talking about? The PDF was responsible for burning down the housing district in an attempt to turn the Panamanians against the military occupational forces. The Battalion 2000 and the Mechanizados were responsible for the destruction of the houses in the Paitilla and Tinajitas area with the exception of one incident. The Marine LAVs that supposedly were responsible for these actions were actually V-300s confirmed by the one disabled by our aircraft during the said attack. The book was given 4 stars because it over dramatized a few incidents and not because they spelled my name (which I was surprised to see printed) wrong. With all that was tolerated the US military forces exercised an immeasurable amount or restraint leading up to the operation and once executed carried out their mission in a professional manner. As with any operation there are incidents that do not conform to standards but they in no way define the actions of the military as a whole and should be addressed as such.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST book to date on the invasion of Panama, August 21, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: Just Cause: The Real Story of America's High-Tech Invasion of Panama (Hardcover)

This book must be in the arsenals of every warrior in the U.S. military today, for it describes better than any other book how to fight a modern battle correctly. Operation Just Cause was a triumph that resulted in Panamania dictator Manuel Noriega being captured and the PDF disarmed with as minimum as blood shed possible. the secret was to use fast-moving Airborne not slow-moving seaborne forces to simultaneously converge on the enemy's centers of gravity and collapse them with light tracked armored fighting vehicles like the superb M551 Sheridan light tank (parachute airdropped and airlanded by USAF fixed-wing aircraft) and M113 APC could give shielded infantry with firepower superiority at the point of contact. This is why we had such few casualties compared to the October 3, 1993 raid in Somalia described so eloquently in Blackhawk Down! Compare the two battles. If we had wanted to capture Aidid like we did Noriega we should have had light AFVs supporting our 3-D maneuver inserted infantry.

Malcolm McConnell's book is so full of important details like how Army AH-64 Apache helicopters fly in ahead and destroyed Panamania anti-aircraft guns for the Rangers to parachute jump at 500 feet lightly opposed. How the 3/73d BN of the 82d Airborne took its M551 Sheridan light tanks from the drop zone and clandestine locations to take down the enemy's main center of gravity--La Comandancia by storm. He also doesn't shy away from the woes the SEALs had at Punta Paitilla airport where they were caught unshielded by enemy fire.

McConnell's book is THE STANDARD which all other books on Just Cause will be judged---let us hope Hollywood picks up this book and uses it as a basis for an accurate movie depiction.

Airborne!

5.0 out of 5 stars A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE OPERATION............, July 5, 2011

By 

HISTORY GOURMET (PENNSYLVANIA,U.S. OF A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Cause: The Real Story of America's High-Tech Invasion of Panama (Paperback)

Though at times, I thought it a little concise on some of the action. Still, one of the best books around on Just Cause,ESPECIALLY because the author goes into the background of the invasion in some detail, namely, the 2 coups against Noriega, and his political plotting / manuevering. This is the only book that I've found so far that gets into detail on the Giroldi coup in October, 1989. The combat scenes are well-written and detailed,though,again, I wish the author could have gotten into more detail on the fight for the Commandancia, and the 2 Ranger airdrops. The photos are mostly post-action, and were well selected. All in all, a great book to learn about this historic battle !!!!!