Customer Reviews

A Line through the Desert: The First Gulf War

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being an amature historian and having a strong interst in the Desert Sheild/Storm era, I found Mr. Stroock's book to be interesting and gripping. Clearly he has done his research in all the modern U.S. military hardware, equipment, and socializations within the services. I found the story grabbed you from the start and didn't let go...I flew through this book in 3 days.

I highly recommend anyone interested in this era to grab this book...it is a real find!

'Will Stroock has immersed the reader into the hearts and minds of Cav Soldiers in a time of War. Real Cav Soldiers, Real Battle; it will change or strengthen your perpective of and for the American Soldier. I Salute Mr. Stroock for telling a story that needed to be told."

Private David Sine, D Troop, 1st Squadron, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment

As a former member of the Second Squadron Second Armored Cavalry Regiment, I found Mr. Strooks portrayal of the garrison life in Bamberg to be true to life and accurate. Although I served 10 years prior to the story, the camaraderie , Esprit de Corps and the Us against the REMF's across the street was spot-on. The 1100 Troopers of the Second Squadron were allotted more POL(Petroleum,Oil,Lubricants) Ammo and supplies for Combat than the 16,000 Soldiers on the Main Kasserne. Patrolling the edge of Freedom on the Borders of Germany, East Germany and Czechoslovakia. Constantly training for War in Grafenwohr,Hohenfels and Wildflicken. It was not unusual to not sleep in your bunk for 3+ months at a time. We were also derided by those Soldiers for being elite (We wore Black Berets until 1978)and having a Unit History that started from the Seminole Wars in 1836,and carried on through almost every conflict since. We had a sense of pride and family which is conveyed by Mr Strooks characters, and is carried on today by today's Troopers, just returning home from Afghanistan.

From the Everglades to Afghanistan!
Always Ready- Second to NONE!
Thunder-26-OUT!

War is horrible. Today's media shows it up close and personal. But reading "A Line Through the Desert" made it real and heartfelt. I felt like I was there with Jake. I could feel the sand in my clothes and taste it when I swallowed. I could hear the radio transmissions, the static, the silence, the bursting bombs. I felt the pain of the injured, the loss of life, the grief of the families, and also the pride of their service.
I have toured Washington, D.C. I have been to Arlington National Cementary and seen the rows and rows of white crosses. But my next visit will be so different. After reading this account of Desert Storm, each cross will be more meaningful. Each cross will echo a life, a loved one, making the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom.

This 1st must been writen as a short story then to make it in to a book he added way to much unrelated crap. This story is way to unbelievable even as fiction.I was an active duty army soldier stationed in Germany during this period. So much of this story could never have happen.
1st some much of this book covers Jake at is home in NY, both pre & post gulf war. I never could like this guy at all. He had a chip on his shoulder and never did try to like any one or understand the others points of view. And even after being in the army & combat did not change at all & seemed to get more pissy with his family and friends.He told others that they would not stand him, but never made any effort to talk about this with anyone.And the way he treated woman in this story is horrible.The same for his parents,they may have been over protective,but when he came home he never tried to talk to them about his life in the army.
Mr Strock left alot of gaps in this story.Mostly from basic to when Jake got his Sgt strips. And the gulf to germany.
There is NO WAY that this guy could have gotten promoted to SGT in less then 2 years. I spent my first 3 years in a light infantry battalion(85-88) & the only ones who got to sgt in their 1st enlistment still took 2 1/2 years & had college time & had hit all trier needed schools(airborne,ranger,pldc).They were the natural leader types.
Jake never seem to have any of these qualities.He may have been a great tanker,but back in the 80's you really had to show that you had to lead to. He still had the chip on his shoulder,got in to fights and look the other way alot.
That brings me to his friend(his gunner) who is 20 dating(& having sex with) an underage generals duaghter. NO WAY IN HELL! The guy would have been busted down to e-1 and the girl shipped stateside. I know this because it happened in are community.
Jake runs around all the time yelling CAV. But Jake is a TANKER not a cav trooper. After Germany he might get sent to a ARMOR Battaion.
Tankers are tankers but cav troopers are more walk around scouts.
Mr Strock never gives us a bio of himself. I believe that he never was a tanker or cav trooper. This is alter ego personality.
I was very disappionted with this book, I think 2 stars is to much. If you are former 1980s-90s army this book is a waste of time. This book might be ok for any non-military type.

As a former Cav trooper attached to the 2/2 ACR, I was hoping for a well written book about a decisive period of my life. Instead it read as fiction from someone who wrote using heresay, instead of someone who was actually there. If it was firsthand, time has definatly clouded his memory.