Scuds Duds Tyre

A memoir of Middle East Madness Joseph Wouk, an ex-immigrant to Israel, now a Hollywood television producer, is initially elated over the commencement of the first Gulf War, Desert Storm. But when Saddam’s missiles target Tel-Aviv he is overcome with guilt and horror. The sense of impotence, sitting in Los Angeles watching CNN report chemical warheads in Ramat Gan, is more than he can bear. Abandoning his wife and child, as well as a television film in development, he flies into the war zone to rejoin his old unit in the Israeli Navy. The only problem is, he’s been kicked out of the Navy reserves for having failed to report for duty in six years. They don’t need or want him back either. But Wouk is determined to “help”… Even if it means turning the whole I.D.F. Navy inside-out. Scuds, Duds, & Tyre is a hilarious and torturous new-journalistic account of Wouk’s return to the Israeli Navy during the Gulf War. The experience prompts reminiscences of his former life in the country – From his first sexual encounter, to the carnage of the first Lebanon War. Breathlessly paced, the narrative sweeps the reader along through the insanity of war and Wouk’s own twisted, guilt-ridden quest for self respect. In a style reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson and with themes reminiscent of his father, Herman Wouk, the book is original, insightful, and outrageous. Most of all, it’s a great read.

Told with humor and honesty, Wouk pulls the reader through his thought processes as he watches his mind dissolve from the subcortical dementia caused by his particular variety of MS.

The most comprehensive account to date of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and aftermath, this volume includes unprecedented details on the impact on the Pentagon building and personnel and the scope of the rescue, recovery, and caregiving effort. It features 32 pages of photographs and more than a dozen diagrams and illustrations not previously available.

This is the story of an airpower-dominated campaign, one that was deeply flawed in its design yet impressive in its efficiency. This quick-look study is based upon visits to damaged sites, villages, towns, and cities; discussions with government and military officials; and experience of having evaluated airpower and its effects in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the former Yugoslavia (and previously in Lebanon). Months of follow-up research included exchanges with Israeli, Lebanese, Hezbollah, and US experts. The intent was to develop a timely airpower narrative to enhance professional military education and planning. About the author: William M. Arkin is an independent military analyst, journalist, and author. He writes the ?Early Warning? column for washingtonpost.com (where he previously wrote the ?DOT.MIL? column from 1998 to 2003) and is a longtime NBC News military analyst.(Originally published by Air University Press)