Storm on the Horizon: Khafji-The Battle That Changed the Course of the Gulf War

by David J. Morris

Book Overview

An account of a pivotal Gulf War battle describes an offensive launched by Saddam Hussein that failed due to the resolve of an underdog band of marines and air soldiers, and discusses its significance... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743235576
• ISBN13: 9780743235570
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 317 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

I felt as I was there

This book shook me up. It brought me back to old and seemingly buried memories from my own World War II days, and events I experienced or witnesssed in Viet Nam. Although I sat in my chair, I WAS THERE with the author and the other jarhheads.Truly a gifted writer, this young Captain of the US MArines. He has an uncanny feeling of what to stress, even though it seems to the uninitiated to be only a small point. Yet, he does equal justice to the so wrongly called "Big Picture", the cameos and the clerly described wasteland of the Northern Saudi desert areas.I am a jaded reader, rarely find a book I desire to buy and keep. This is one of those that I will keep and give my grandson when he is old enough to understand what sacrifice for one's country really means, and understand the despair when you see a buddy buy the farm (yes, I know this term dates me). I will make him read it so he can also respect those who are willing to die for the rest of us.I wasn't a Marine, but SEMPER FI!

Exceptional History of the Battle of Khafji--January 1991

In the midst of our current efforts to establish a democracy in Iraq, many will have lost sight of the Gulf War led by the U.S. and its coalition partners against Saddam Hussein in 1991 to liberate Kuwait. In fact, if you are like me, your memory will be so dim that you will not remember that while the air campaign was going on in Operation Desert Storm the Iraqis invaded Saudi Arabia and threatened the oil fields their and the supplies being built up for the Marine invasion of Kuwait. That attack led to the Battle of Khafji, a small city on the Saudi Arabian coast that was recaptured by Arab forces in the coalition with a little support from the U.S. Although intelligence had reported that an attack was likely, no one paid too much attention. Fortunately, there were Marine reconnaissance patrols in place along with some tank-killing back-up. With brilliant improvisation, the Coalition troops managed to stop superior forces and armor by using their wits and air superiority. They also displayed uncommon valor. The accounts of the action come mostly from the Marines involved, so any Marine will want to read this book. It's an important chapter in the legend of the Marines.The story also illuminates how difficult modern war is, even with weapons and air superiority. You are at great risk of being killed by your own forces . . . as unfortunately was shown to be true in this battle.If you enjoy reading about Civil War battles, you will find this one someone reminiscent of those tales where soldier unexpectedly contact one another and a fight breaks out . . . leading to a more major engagement with strategic consequences. I particularly enjoyed learning about the background of the people before the battle and what happened to them after the war was over. We are indeed fortunate as Americans to have been served by such dedicated and talented people.As I finished the book, I realized how important it is to communicate directly with the person you want to influence. And to be sure the messages are understood. This book shows how easy it is for incomplete communications to lead to deadly errors.

13 years later, the full impact of Khafji

Sometime it takes years for veterans to fully comprehend the big picture of war. That was the case with the first Gulf War, quickly celebrated for "kicking the Vietnam Syndrome" but hardly seen for more than a good 'ole thumping for the U.S. The Iraqi military loomed larger than life, combat-proven and deeply entrenched in Kuwait behind 12-foot tall sand walls, hoping to bog down the American-led invasion in oil-filled fiery traps so their deadly artillery can shred them to pieces. Well that didn't happen due to a premature face-off at the Kuwait-Saudi Arabia border. The Iraqi military turned out to be (now twice) the most incompetent enemy our country has ever defeated-42 days and 21 days. On the night of January 29, 1991, news quickly filtered to Al Jubayl Air Base (where I was) some 100 miles south of Khafji that the Iraqis were rolling down the coast. There would have been minimal deterrence all the way to Bahrain. Luckily, there was a trip wire called RECON there...and a few Air Force A-10s, proven to be more fatal to U.S. Marines than the Republican Guard.Morris brings readers to the front lines where the best of the best Marine infantry-RECON-are led by junior officers and NCOs as they repel an overwhelming Iraqi intrusion. With all the details and perspectives from commanders and grunts, STORM is the best battle book and combat narrative to come out of Operation Desert Storm. Morris joins the elite ranks of former leathernecks with a literary flair. Don't be surprised to see STORM in a movie theater down the road or another book by him soon. Semper fi.

A masterfully written examination of an epic battle.

Within the first few paragraphs Morris' literary prowess ramps the reader up for one of the most overlooked yet crucial battles of the post-Vietnam era. As a Desert Storm veteran that served in this area I can attest to the accuracy of events. But most importantly this book poingnantly tells an account of human bravery and selflessness under the most precarious and chaotic of circumstances. Morris has done a great service to these brave men and women by revealing their events to the spotlight of history. The author's unique distinction of being a Marine infantry officer and talented writer combine to create a bona fide page-turner with an insightful lesson.

well-researched gulf war I history

I just received this book in the mail, and from the time I started reading I could not put the book down. The author's comprehensive research and excellent story-telling was a real pleasure, especially since this is his first book. What really blew me away was the mountain of personal interviews of first-hand accounts. This type of research is certainly the most difficult yet yields the highest quality, which well-read military buffs such as myself can appreciate. In all of the book, which I read carefully, I found quite a few fascinating first-hand accounts that rebutt official military reports, reports that have been dubious from the get-go. This book is a must-read for anyone who needs an accurate understanding of Gulf War I, and certainly for anyone who would attempt to understand Gulf War II and the rest of American post-Vietnam conflicts.