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The Fires of Babylon: Eagle Troop and the Battle of 73 Easting
A riveting true story of tank warfare in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm under the command of Captain H. R. McMaster. As a new generation of main battle tanks came onto the line during the 1980s, neither the United States nor the USSR had the chance to pit them in combat. But once the Cold War between the superpowers waned, Iraq’s Saddam Hussein provided the chance with his invasion of Kuwait. Finally the new US M1A1 tank would see how it fared against the vaunted Soviet-built T-72. On the morning of August 2, 1990, Iraqi armored divisions invaded the tiny emirate of Kuwait. The Iraqi Army, after its long war with Iran, had more combat experience than the US Army. Who knew if America’s untested forces could be shipped across the world and then contest the battle-hardened Iraqis on their home ground? The Kuwaitis had collapsed easily enough, but the invasion drew fierce condemnation from the United Nations, which demanded Hussein’s withdrawal. Undeterred by the rhetoric, the Iraqi dictator massed his forces along the Saudi Arabian border and dared the world to stop him. In response, the United States led the world community in a coalition of 34 nations in what became known as Operation Desert Storm—a violent air and ground campaign to eject the Iraqis from Kuwait. Leading this charge into Iraq were the men of Eagle Troop in the US Army’s 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Commanded by then-Captain H. R. McMaster—who would go on to serve as National Security Advisor in the Trump administration—Eagle Troop was the lead element of the US VII Corps’ advance into Iraq. On February 26, 1991, Eagle Troop encountered the Tawakalna Brigade of Iraq’s elite Republican Guard. By any calculation, the 12 American tanks didn’t stand a chance. Yet within a mere 23 minutes, the M1A1 tanks of Eagle Troop destroyed more than 50 enemy vehicles and plowed a hole through the Iraqi front. History would call it the Battle of 73 Easting. Based on hours of interviews and archival research by renowned author Mike Guardia, this minute-by-minute account of the US breakthrough reveals an intimate, no-holds-barred account of modern warfare.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2015
146 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Mike Guardia
31 books120 followersMike Guardia is an internationally recognized author and military historian. A veteran of the United States Army, he served six years on active duty as an Armor Officer. He is the author of the widely-acclaimed "Hal Moore: A Soldier Once...and Always," the first-ever biography chronicling the life of LTG Harold G. Moore, whose battlefield leadership was popularized by the film "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson.
He has twice been nominated for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Book Award and is an active member of the Military Writers Society of America.
As a speaker, he hosts the lecture series "Hal Moore: Lessons in Leadership," which is available for presentation at schools, businesses, and civic organizations worldwide. Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the International Spy Museum. His work has been reviewed in the Washington Times, Armchair General, ARMY Magazine, DefenceWeb South Africa, and Miniature Wargames UK.
He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. He currently lives in Texas.
He has twice been nominated for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Book Award and is an active member of the Military Writers Society of America.
As a speaker, he hosts the lecture series "Hal Moore: Lessons in Leadership," which is available for presentation at schools, businesses, and civic organizations worldwide. Mike Guardia has given presentations at the US Special Operations Command and the International Spy Museum. His work has been reviewed in the Washington Times, Armchair General, ARMY Magazine, DefenceWeb South Africa, and Miniature Wargames UK.
He holds a BA and MA in American History from the University of Houston. He currently lives in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 13, 2022
An in depth look at the Battle of 73 Easting through the experiences of the first unit (point of the spear) engaged against the larger formation of Iraqi Republican Guard unit that they absolutely decimated. The book builds up to this with descriptions of the lead up to this, not only in the desert, but from the West German side of the inner German border where Eagle Troop spent it's time during the last days of the Cold War.
In hindsight, it is easy to see how the superior equipment and training of the US Armored Cavalry came out on top of this one-sided battle where Eagle Troop had no casualties during this battle, but in those early days of Desert Storm high casualty rates were expected. The men had untried combat vehicles (M1 Abrahams & M2 Bradley), new tactics for the new desert campaign after years of training to fight the Soviets in Europe and untested troops that had not seen battle before. Yet with the leadership of Captain (later General) H.R. McMaster, technological superior equipment and highly disciplined troops, they overcame the battle-hardened Iraqi units in mere hours.
What I liked most about the book is how the author introduces certain members of Eagle Troop and the roles they played within the unit, and the detailed battle descriptions from the day of the fight. Highly recommended reading
In hindsight, it is easy to see how the superior equipment and training of the US Armored Cavalry came out on top of this one-sided battle where Eagle Troop had no casualties during this battle, but in those early days of Desert Storm high casualty rates were expected. The men had untried combat vehicles (M1 Abrahams & M2 Bradley), new tactics for the new desert campaign after years of training to fight the Soviets in Europe and untested troops that had not seen battle before. Yet with the leadership of Captain (later General) H.R. McMaster, technological superior equipment and highly disciplined troops, they overcame the battle-hardened Iraqi units in mere hours.
What I liked most about the book is how the author introduces certain members of Eagle Troop and the roles they played within the unit, and the detailed battle descriptions from the day of the fight. Highly recommended reading
November 6, 2024
This book was interesting for two reasons. One was the transition of the army from the Vietnam era and the perspective of the fall of the soviet bloc directly into the Gulf War. The second was the recount of the tank battle, which is likely the most famous recent tank battle.
This book is built around the experiences of the members of Eagle Troop and gives a ground-level perspective on what happened. War is the worst thing in this world, and it was telling the impact that it had on the soldiers, even with their complete and overwhelming victory.
This book is built around the experiences of the members of Eagle Troop and gives a ground-level perspective on what happened. War is the worst thing in this world, and it was telling the impact that it had on the soldiers, even with their complete and overwhelming victory.
July 8, 2017
An interesting encapsulation of the battle of 73 Easting. While I enjoyed the narration, I appreciated the organization of the book less. The book was very long on the bios of Eagle squadron at the presumed expense of focusing more on the narrative.
August 3, 2024
An Interesting and well written account of this Gulf War battle. Plenty of background and personal accounts of life in the war. Johnny Heller does an excellent job with the narration
August 9, 2015
This is a story about the first Iraqi war and how 12 American tanks Eagle Troop lead by Captain HR McMaster, took out or I should say destroyed 50 Russian made tanks in 23 minutes. The book begins though with the begging’s of the cold war and the lack of equipment after the Vietnam war. Then goes into how advancement came into tank warfare and what it was like on the line in Germany during the cold war. He also explains the training that goes into being assigned to an Armored Division and how even in that unit you’re shooting had to excellent and it was most if not all gunners had scores or high 90% or 100% on range firing from a tank that is amazing and that includes moving targets. I have seen some of these exercises for I grew up I Barstow and would go to FT. Irwin training center when I was younger this of course was with the older tanks but still was impressive then and would be more now. Each chapter goes into a story about one of the men in the unit how and why they joined and how they got selected to be part of that unit. When you get to the end of the book the author goes into what happened to each man that had fought. A very good book. I got this book from net galley.
October 28, 2018
This book focuses on the exploits of Eagle Troop in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the Battle of 73 Easting in the 100-hour ground war at the end of Operation Desert Storm. This battle was a classic movement to contact engagement in which American armored units consisting of M1A1 Abrams tanks, M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicles and M-113 armored personnel carriers advanced through a sandstorm toward Iraqi lines held by Republican Guard armored units. The Americans knew the Iraqi defensive line, roughly following map gridline 73 easting, was ahead of them but didn’t know exactly where. As it turned out, the Iraqis had chosen and fortified their defensive line well. Their T-55 and T-72 tanks were dug into tank pits for maximum protection and minimum exposure to American fire. Their line was also placed just behind some high ground such that the Americans wouldn’t see them until the last minute, after they had gone over the apex of the high ground. The wildcard in the battle was the sandstorm. While it made it more difficult for the Americans to make positive friend-foe identification, it kept the Iraqis from being aware of the American presence until the American tanks were inside the Iraqi line blasting T-72s, T-55’s and BMP armored personnel carriers. Eagle Troop cut a one-kilometer-wide swath of destruction through the Iraqi line without a single loss of life. On their flank, Ghost Troop accomplished similar results with only one fatality. A few Iraqi tank crews managed to return fire, but facing the wrong end of the element of surprise, their aim was off, and they missed. They were dead before they could take a second shot.
Prior to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment had been prepositioned in Germany along the border with East Germany to prevent a Soviet advance through the Fulda Gap in the event of a superpower war. The men of this unit had been taught to respect the T-72, the Soviet Union’s most advanced main battle tank. The Battle of 73 Easting convinced them that the T-72 was as much a paper tiger as the Iraqi army had been.
The book is organized with the following sections:
• A discussion of the condition of the Army at the end of the Vietnam War and the rebuilding process that turned a demoralized force into the killing machine it proved to be in Desert Storm.
• Biographical information on the men featured in the book, including where they were from, how they ended up in the Army and how they came to be assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
• The unit’s transport from Germany to Saudi Arabia and ultimately to the front lines. The unit’s misadventures with Saudi drivers made this section the most entertaining portion of the book by far.
• The unit’s preparation for battle, including learning and experimenting with new tactics suitable for desert warfare. An incident in which the Lieutenant in command of the mortar platoon, experimenting with a faster way to bring his mortars to bear, accidentally lobbed a few mortar shells into another unit’s deception Tactical Operation’s Command, responsible for sending out fake messages and orders, briefly convincing its staff that they were under attack, produced some comic relief. Furthermore, another Lieutenant pranked the unit by managing to properly imitate the regimental commander’s nasally voice over the radio and sending it out on maneuvers. Quite entertaining.
• The early phase of the ground war, in which the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was encountering light resistance from regular Iraqi army units that often got off a few shots for national honor before surrendering.
• The Battle of 73 Easting
• Their assignment to occupy an Iraqi air base at An-Nasiriyah as part of an effort to pressure Sadam Hussein to stop dragging his feet on peace negotiations. Because of a mass casualties event at the air base in which Iraqi civilians attempting to syphon fuel from a large gas tank at the base accidentally detonated it, this section of the book was the most graphic and disturbing. The men of the unit had to gather up the body parts for proper burial, an event more traumatizing for them than combat.
• An epilogue discussing the subsequent lives of the men after Desert Storm. Most left the Army at the end of their enlistments and officer commitments, but some made a career out of the Army. The most successful of these was the commander of Eagle Troop, Captain H.R. McMaster, who went on to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General. Subsequent to the publication of this book and, therefore, not mentioned in it, he served as National Security Advisor during the first year of the Trump administration.
With the exception of the description of the mass casualties event, a consequence of the graphic nature of the event and not a commentary on Mr. Guardia’s writing, I enjoyed the book. From one Desert Storm veteran (Navy, USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN-71) to the men of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, well done! My complements to Mr. Guardia on a well-written book.
Prior to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment had been prepositioned in Germany along the border with East Germany to prevent a Soviet advance through the Fulda Gap in the event of a superpower war. The men of this unit had been taught to respect the T-72, the Soviet Union’s most advanced main battle tank. The Battle of 73 Easting convinced them that the T-72 was as much a paper tiger as the Iraqi army had been.
The book is organized with the following sections:
• A discussion of the condition of the Army at the end of the Vietnam War and the rebuilding process that turned a demoralized force into the killing machine it proved to be in Desert Storm.
• Biographical information on the men featured in the book, including where they were from, how they ended up in the Army and how they came to be assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
• The unit’s transport from Germany to Saudi Arabia and ultimately to the front lines. The unit’s misadventures with Saudi drivers made this section the most entertaining portion of the book by far.
• The unit’s preparation for battle, including learning and experimenting with new tactics suitable for desert warfare. An incident in which the Lieutenant in command of the mortar platoon, experimenting with a faster way to bring his mortars to bear, accidentally lobbed a few mortar shells into another unit’s deception Tactical Operation’s Command, responsible for sending out fake messages and orders, briefly convincing its staff that they were under attack, produced some comic relief. Furthermore, another Lieutenant pranked the unit by managing to properly imitate the regimental commander’s nasally voice over the radio and sending it out on maneuvers. Quite entertaining.
• The early phase of the ground war, in which the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment was encountering light resistance from regular Iraqi army units that often got off a few shots for national honor before surrendering.
• The Battle of 73 Easting
• Their assignment to occupy an Iraqi air base at An-Nasiriyah as part of an effort to pressure Sadam Hussein to stop dragging his feet on peace negotiations. Because of a mass casualties event at the air base in which Iraqi civilians attempting to syphon fuel from a large gas tank at the base accidentally detonated it, this section of the book was the most graphic and disturbing. The men of the unit had to gather up the body parts for proper burial, an event more traumatizing for them than combat.
• An epilogue discussing the subsequent lives of the men after Desert Storm. Most left the Army at the end of their enlistments and officer commitments, but some made a career out of the Army. The most successful of these was the commander of Eagle Troop, Captain H.R. McMaster, who went on to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General. Subsequent to the publication of this book and, therefore, not mentioned in it, he served as National Security Advisor during the first year of the Trump administration.
With the exception of the description of the mass casualties event, a consequence of the graphic nature of the event and not a commentary on Mr. Guardia’s writing, I enjoyed the book. From one Desert Storm veteran (Navy, USS Theodore Roosevelt, CVN-71) to the men of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, well done! My complements to Mr. Guardia on a well-written book.
December 29, 2019
This gives background of several of the soldiers who served in the E troop of 2nd squad of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment of VII Corp in the First Gulf War in 1991, and of their engagement against Saddam Hussein’s army in Kuwait. In particular this was one skirmish (or battle) at a location called “73 easting”. This troop consisted five (5) platoons - one headquarters, two scout platoons, two tank platoons, plus a maintenance platoon and a fire support group. The troop was about 125 soldiers. However, the book is written from information collected from about 20 of these men.
When I read the word ‘cavalry’ I think ‘horses’ (e.g., Custer, Sheridan, Stonewall Jackson, Jubal Early). That is not the modern cavalry!
This tank battle was probably the first major armored engagement since WWII. ( I am not sure there any tank battles in the Viet Nam war.) Almost all of these soldiers had never been in any military engagement against an enemy. In some cases they were using totally new motorized vehicles. The main battle tank was the “M1 Abrams”, a major upgrade from the M60. The scout platoons were in new Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The descriptions of the encounter are detailed and relatively clear. However, since I have never been in the service, I would have appreciated a few more diagrams showing locations and movement of the troop. It would have helped me see the scope of the battle. For example as the battle was described, it surprised me to find out the ‘front’ was about five kilometers wide - this was covered by 10 tanks (2 platoons), and 14 scout vehicles!
The author also tells us about the men after the battle, and their lives after leaving the army for civilian life. Almost all of them were eager to prove themselves in an encounter, and they did perform almost perfectly. What the men did not expect was the carnage and brutality of that battle - the dead and dying enemy had a profound sobering effect. It is one thing to simulate the destruction of the enemy, and something completely different to see a tank blown apart and the burned and broken bodies of enemy.
This is well written and informative.
When I read the word ‘cavalry’ I think ‘horses’ (e.g., Custer, Sheridan, Stonewall Jackson, Jubal Early). That is not the modern cavalry!
This tank battle was probably the first major armored engagement since WWII. ( I am not sure there any tank battles in the Viet Nam war.) Almost all of these soldiers had never been in any military engagement against an enemy. In some cases they were using totally new motorized vehicles. The main battle tank was the “M1 Abrams”, a major upgrade from the M60. The scout platoons were in new Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The descriptions of the encounter are detailed and relatively clear. However, since I have never been in the service, I would have appreciated a few more diagrams showing locations and movement of the troop. It would have helped me see the scope of the battle. For example as the battle was described, it surprised me to find out the ‘front’ was about five kilometers wide - this was covered by 10 tanks (2 platoons), and 14 scout vehicles!
The author also tells us about the men after the battle, and their lives after leaving the army for civilian life. Almost all of them were eager to prove themselves in an encounter, and they did perform almost perfectly. What the men did not expect was the carnage and brutality of that battle - the dead and dying enemy had a profound sobering effect. It is one thing to simulate the destruction of the enemy, and something completely different to see a tank blown apart and the burned and broken bodies of enemy.
This is well written and informative.
May 2, 2022
This book reads like a by-the-numbers military outing, whether fictional or historical. They all follow the pattern of "Before the war, deployment, in the shit." This format is popular for a reason. It works. But some authors can lean into it better than others and part of me wonders if this one resonated more because it evoked overwhelming nostalgia for me. I served from 1989-1994. I was never in combat but all the rest of it felt eerily familiar when couched against the backdrop of enlistment right out of high school, the shocking and surreal end to the Cold War, the nod to the events of Nicaragua, Saddam's horrid adventurism, the lightning fast course of the war, and the chaos that followed.
All that is to say that I'm not sure this was the best book of its type, but it is the most targeted to me and my experiences and for that I will always appreciate that Mr. Guardia wrote it. It's short and pointed, just like the war it covers, and falls into a gap that few others have really tackled, overshadowed as it was by everything that came after and the fact that the event really was so short, so one-sided, so weirdly redemptive to those of us serving at the time.
There is context here that faded to the mists of memory, lost in the obfuscation of time and the slog of life away from soldiering that woke up viscerally and immediately when I read this book, highlighting current events and the shock of Russian incompetence. There are always lessons to be learned by looking to the past, even if only for sorely needed context, a way to line the banks of history's course with signposts pointing at our mistakes but also at our successes. It's said that we learn more from our errors and as The Fires of Babylon so aptly makes the case, the Gulf War was a success precisely because Vietnam was a failure, and in these pages you see why.
I learned a lot and felt a lot of unexpected and maudlin nostalgia when I read this book and while I don't think it's a masterpiece, I do think it's worth reading, especially if you are interested in an unvarnished success of the United States military.
All that is to say that I'm not sure this was the best book of its type, but it is the most targeted to me and my experiences and for that I will always appreciate that Mr. Guardia wrote it. It's short and pointed, just like the war it covers, and falls into a gap that few others have really tackled, overshadowed as it was by everything that came after and the fact that the event really was so short, so one-sided, so weirdly redemptive to those of us serving at the time.
There is context here that faded to the mists of memory, lost in the obfuscation of time and the slog of life away from soldiering that woke up viscerally and immediately when I read this book, highlighting current events and the shock of Russian incompetence. There are always lessons to be learned by looking to the past, even if only for sorely needed context, a way to line the banks of history's course with signposts pointing at our mistakes but also at our successes. It's said that we learn more from our errors and as The Fires of Babylon so aptly makes the case, the Gulf War was a success precisely because Vietnam was a failure, and in these pages you see why.
I learned a lot and felt a lot of unexpected and maudlin nostalgia when I read this book and while I don't think it's a masterpiece, I do think it's worth reading, especially if you are interested in an unvarnished success of the United States military.
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March 29, 2018MWSA Review
Author Mike Guardia provides an inside look at the training and troops called upon to charge into the teeth of Saddam's dug-in T-72 tank defense and engage in his "Mother of All Battles" at the onset of Desert Storm. Small unit courage, luck, and training drives Eagle Troop and the 2d Armored Calvary Regiment to win The Battle of 73 Easting—possibly the most dominant. one-sided tank battle in the history of mankind. Troop Commander Captain H.R. McMaster leads this historic offensive.
The book reveals the infinite steps taken to launch and win this engagement that decimated the Iraqi Republican Guard in the VII Corps zone of attack. Spiced with the deadly dangers, unforeseen turns, and sometimes humorous encounters faced, the read provided an upfront view of the preparation and battle. I suggest this book for those who enjoy learning about the preparations for war and tank battle.
Review by Hodge Wood (March 2018)
Author Mike Guardia provides an inside look at the training and troops called upon to charge into the teeth of Saddam's dug-in T-72 tank defense and engage in his "Mother of All Battles" at the onset of Desert Storm. Small unit courage, luck, and training drives Eagle Troop and the 2d Armored Calvary Regiment to win The Battle of 73 Easting—possibly the most dominant. one-sided tank battle in the history of mankind. Troop Commander Captain H.R. McMaster leads this historic offensive.
The book reveals the infinite steps taken to launch and win this engagement that decimated the Iraqi Republican Guard in the VII Corps zone of attack. Spiced with the deadly dangers, unforeseen turns, and sometimes humorous encounters faced, the read provided an upfront view of the preparation and battle. I suggest this book for those who enjoy learning about the preparations for war and tank battle.
Review by Hodge Wood (March 2018)
April 10, 2022
To anyone who has watched the History channel on 73 Easting tank battle the graphics are good the commentary of those who fought it also good. However only a few were interviewed, and nothing was ever said about the aftermath of what Eagle and Ghost troupe went through.
This book in good detain talks about the men who fought the battle, how they started in Germany with the fall of the wall. To some of the German feelings that the Americans should go home now! To the feelings of the troupe movements to the gulf and trying to get ready to fight a battle. The fear of how they would preform, to fighting the dreaded T72. The same tank they had faced across the German boarder wondering if they could overcome the tank that had been given such a fearsome reputation by everyone. It gives as the late Paul Harvey used to say "The rest of the story". Well worth the time, a great book of what took place after the battle.
This book in good detain talks about the men who fought the battle, how they started in Germany with the fall of the wall. To some of the German feelings that the Americans should go home now! To the feelings of the troupe movements to the gulf and trying to get ready to fight a battle. The fear of how they would preform, to fighting the dreaded T72. The same tank they had faced across the German boarder wondering if they could overcome the tank that had been given such a fearsome reputation by everyone. It gives as the late Paul Harvey used to say "The rest of the story". Well worth the time, a great book of what took place after the battle.
June 26, 2024
There are plenty of memoirs and books about the battle of 73 Easting, but there are several units involved, so one from only one unit perspective is rather unique, and that is what we have here... the Eagle Troop, US Cavalry -- heavy. The author certainly did his homework, interviewed everybody he could get his hands on, consulted every scrap of unclassified records available, both up and down the chain of command to gain different levels of perspective, from the actual tank commanders and crew view of battle to troop command and task force commander, and higher levels... what they saw. I guess the only thing really missing is a bit more of the Iraqi perspective. On the other hand, it's not THAT important as this is NOT meant to be a balanced overall survey of the battle, but one unit's view of the battle. It is a great read offering an intimate view of a historical battle.
January 20, 2021
A pretty good summary of an armored cav unit and their victory in a (very one-sided) tank battle in the first Iraq war, where a US unit completely crushed Iraqi opposition. Single the actual battle itself was brief and not terribly complicated, most of the book focused on the deployment from Germany to Saudi Arabia, preparation, and a lot of focus on individuals in the unit (several of whom went on to very senior roles in the military, in particular then-Captain H.R. McMaster. Not a particularly interesting story, but the best account of a battle which was significant mainly because it was the first (and basically only) real-world battle after many decades of theory about US v USSR heavy equipment in a ground war.
August 13, 2021
Great read! Mike Guardia has provided a wonderful historical account of the Battle of 73 Easting as experienced by Eagle Troop 2nd ACR. He has done extensive research, including interviews with many members of 2ACR, that provides the factual basis for his account. I am a 23 year Army veteran who served in Germany during the mid 1980's and then deployed to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Guardia's account brought me right back to the sights, sounds and smells of those days. Well done! I salute the Author!
March 28, 2018
War, in its rawest form, is experienced by small groups of individuals. Within the broader context of a conflict, their experience is limited to the chaos they can see, smell, and feel. This the story of the soldiers of Eagle Troop and the war they faced. If you are looking for a broader history of the Gulf War, this is not the book to read. But, if you hope to understand how a small group of individuals formed a cohesive unit and won this battle, you have found the right book.
July 17, 2022
Good overview of the unit and battle that is well-worth the time to read for those interested in the first Gulf war and this key battle. At times it gets a little too far into the weeds, especially during the introductions of too many of the soldiers, but once beyond that point, it is mostly a quickly moving story that sets the scene and explains the action. The graphics weren't very helpful on my kindle, but they weren't that necessary to understanding the action. Still, overall a good read.
July 19, 2023
I served with 3/2 Cavalry in the years after Desert Storm and I had heard stories from some of the troopers who were active during Desert Storm of the Regiment's activities in the war. Many parts of the book are very familiar to those who have lived in the army. Overall the narration is well paced but I felt the large section of getting to know the people of the troop got a little slow and could have been spaced throughout the narrative or condensed.
May 7, 2018
Armored warfare - Details of a modern tank battle
This book tells all, from good to bad, in an armored troop at battle in the first Gulf War. In defeating a vastly superior enemy force, this small element of US tanks and it's accompanying forces broke all records and demonstrated the value of intense training and brilliant leadership.
This book tells all, from good to bad, in an armored troop at battle in the first Gulf War. In defeating a vastly superior enemy force, this small element of US tanks and it's accompanying forces broke all records and demonstrated the value of intense training and brilliant leadership.
November 7, 2018
Enjoyable read
I rather liked this book, although it started a little slow, there is some good info in here. The M1 tank is truly an incredible piece of engineering. The Iraqi Republican guard stood no chance.
I rather liked this book, although it started a little slow, there is some good info in here. The M1 tank is truly an incredible piece of engineering. The Iraqi Republican guard stood no chance.
February 28, 2019
Short but entertaining viewpoint as well as aftermath of one Cav Troop during the Battle of 73 Easting during the first days of Operation Desert Saber. Insightful stories on the individuals but the combat and battle itself is very brief.
August 2, 2017
Readable current era military chronicle of Iraq war armored Cavalry action.
May 20, 2018
Interesting read
This is a well written book about a armored units battles in the first Iraq war told with incredible detail on modern tank warfare. Good stuff.
This is a well written book about a armored units battles in the first Iraq war told with incredible detail on modern tank warfare. Good stuff.
May 27, 2019
Too short. Too narrow. Otherwise engaging.
October 17, 2023
An OK account of the 23 minute battle at 73 Easting in February 1991 with extensive personal accounts of and from the soldiers of 2 ACR.
February 10, 2024
It's okay. Well written but feels like propaganda. It's no band of brothers, that's for sure.
September 17, 2025
This is a wonderful book about a classis battle led by a real soldier, Colonel H R McMaster.
December 29, 2025
Couldn't get past about 15%. Tedious buildup. Five stars to the brave men
October 3, 2019
This is a very fast read and you have a very good sense of the events at the Battle of 73 Easting. The authors actually started a few years back to highlight the changes in the US Army in the post-Vietnam era. The Army had to shake themselves out of the funk in terms of both training and technology. That was how the M-1, M-2, Apache, Blackhawk, and Patriot were born. Creighton Abrams and others were highly influential and successful so that the Army in the late 1980s was a radically new army.
Once you get past the very quick background in the US Army, you get to meet the principal cast of characters: Troop CO HR McMasters who later became one of Trump's National Security Advisers, his XO, other platoon commanders and tank drivers, as well as the Squadron's S3.
I also read General Fred Franks's book Into The Storm with Tom Clancy. If you put them side by side, you'll see that one is the operational side and the other is the tactical side. They are highly complementary.
The History Channel's show "Greatest Tank Battles" season 1 episode 1 is about 73 Easting. There, with the help of CGI and interviews of McMasters and other people who were there, the battle is recreated. If you watch that, you'll recognize some people who were interviewed in Fires of Babylon
Once you get past the very quick background in the US Army, you get to meet the principal cast of characters: Troop CO HR McMasters who later became one of Trump's National Security Advisers, his XO, other platoon commanders and tank drivers, as well as the Squadron's S3.
I also read General Fred Franks's book Into The Storm with Tom Clancy. If you put them side by side, you'll see that one is the operational side and the other is the tactical side. They are highly complementary.
The History Channel's show "Greatest Tank Battles" season 1 episode 1 is about 73 Easting. There, with the help of CGI and interviews of McMasters and other people who were there, the battle is recreated. If you watch that, you'll recognize some people who were interviewed in Fires of Babylon
March 12, 2017
An excellent description of the Battle of 73 Easting from the viewpoint of Eagle Troop, part of 2ACR. Highly recommend this book for military aficionados and students of armor combat strategy. Helpful in understanding the swift conclusion of Operation Desert Storm.
July 7, 2019
Mike Guardia, author of The Fires of Babylon, has penned numerous other military history books (American Guerilla-Finalist for Army Historical Foundations Writing Award, Bronze Medal Book Award from the Military Writers Society of America, and A Main Selection for the Military Book Club; Shadow Commander-Bronze Medal Book Award from the Military Writers Society of America; Hal Moore-Finalist from the Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award, gold Medal Book Award from the Military Writers Society of America and A “Top 10” slot for Non-Fiction Book of 2013; Hal Moore on Leadership; It’s Snowing in Hawaii a children’s book; US Army And Marine Corps MRAPS, Junkers ju 87 STUKA; Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Guns Of The Soviet Union; Bradley Vs. BMP) and has been guest speaker on Good Morning Texas, Inside Track, Liberty Watch Radio. (www.mikeguardia.com) Captain Guardia spent six years on active duty as an Armor Officer for the US Army. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from University of Houston in American History. Guardia currently resides in MN. He is available for book signings and speaking engagements. To learn more about this impressive young officer please visit his website at http://www.mikeguardia.com.
The Fires of Babylon opens by introducing the reader to the men who tell the story of this battle firsthand and how Guardia came to write about it. Guardia said “…I had always held a particular fascination with the events of the Gulf War. America’s victory in that conflict had underscored the remarkable transformation that its Army had undergone during the post-Vietnam era. It was also the first war fought predominately by a generation of post-Baby Boomers.” (2015, p.13)
Throughout this book there are quotes from the men fighting this war which Mike Guardia obtained via numerous interviews. The stories they tell range from lighthearted banter and pranks to preparation for the impending war and progress into their various contacts with the Iraqi people, both good and bad, as well as, the gruesome aftermath from a war fought at the ground level. These stories enlighten the reader and provide keen insight into military tactical and strategic planning as these brave men train, deploy, and fight for freedom around the globe.
Iraq, at this time, had the fourth largest Army in the world and was supported by the Soviets. Saddam Hussein had been given an ultimatum from the United States which he had decided to shirk probably assuming that America would not attack. He was wrong to assume this would be the case. However, well equipped and prepared he believed his troops to be he was sadly mistaken. His troops were entirely unprepared for the war they were about to embark upon. Their tanks were under-armored and his men’s loyalty divided at best.
Initially the heat of the day and cold of the night in the desert were an adjustment for our men coming out of Germany where they had been stationed to prepare for this deployment. Luckily, our troops had trained well and were completely ready to overtake the Iraqi soldiers in the reclaiming of Kuwait. Unlike the Soviet tanks, ours were new and incredibly well armored. They also came with an array of armaments. These troops had rehearsed desert battleground tactics and maneuvers, desert survival, injury prevention and remediation, in preparation for this war while they awaited orders in Germany prior to deploying to the Persian Gulf.
Once in country our troops went about painting their tanks, Humvees, and other vehicles in a desert theme to give them greater cover from our enemy. As fate would have it the war would ramp up with the paint still drying. As our troops advanced across this unforgivable desert terrain many of Saddam’s men came out in the open with arms in the air to surrender. Others did not give up so easily, but would soon be humbled.
While I am no fan of war I did find this book extremely interesting. I enjoyed learning about our troops and about military planning whether for wartime or peace. Thank you Mr. Guardia for a well-researched and well-written book about Operation Desert Shield into Desert Storm.
The Fires of Babylon opens by introducing the reader to the men who tell the story of this battle firsthand and how Guardia came to write about it. Guardia said “…I had always held a particular fascination with the events of the Gulf War. America’s victory in that conflict had underscored the remarkable transformation that its Army had undergone during the post-Vietnam era. It was also the first war fought predominately by a generation of post-Baby Boomers.” (2015, p.13)
Throughout this book there are quotes from the men fighting this war which Mike Guardia obtained via numerous interviews. The stories they tell range from lighthearted banter and pranks to preparation for the impending war and progress into their various contacts with the Iraqi people, both good and bad, as well as, the gruesome aftermath from a war fought at the ground level. These stories enlighten the reader and provide keen insight into military tactical and strategic planning as these brave men train, deploy, and fight for freedom around the globe.
Iraq, at this time, had the fourth largest Army in the world and was supported by the Soviets. Saddam Hussein had been given an ultimatum from the United States which he had decided to shirk probably assuming that America would not attack. He was wrong to assume this would be the case. However, well equipped and prepared he believed his troops to be he was sadly mistaken. His troops were entirely unprepared for the war they were about to embark upon. Their tanks were under-armored and his men’s loyalty divided at best.
Initially the heat of the day and cold of the night in the desert were an adjustment for our men coming out of Germany where they had been stationed to prepare for this deployment. Luckily, our troops had trained well and were completely ready to overtake the Iraqi soldiers in the reclaiming of Kuwait. Unlike the Soviet tanks, ours were new and incredibly well armored. They also came with an array of armaments. These troops had rehearsed desert battleground tactics and maneuvers, desert survival, injury prevention and remediation, in preparation for this war while they awaited orders in Germany prior to deploying to the Persian Gulf.
Once in country our troops went about painting their tanks, Humvees, and other vehicles in a desert theme to give them greater cover from our enemy. As fate would have it the war would ramp up with the paint still drying. As our troops advanced across this unforgivable desert terrain many of Saddam’s men came out in the open with arms in the air to surrender. Others did not give up so easily, but would soon be humbled.
While I am no fan of war I did find this book extremely interesting. I enjoyed learning about our troops and about military planning whether for wartime or peace. Thank you Mr. Guardia for a well-researched and well-written book about Operation Desert Shield into Desert Storm.
November 28, 2015
“The Fires of Babylon” eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Mike Guardia. Mr. Guardia has written eight non-fiction novels about the military.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence. This Non-Fiction novel tells the story of Eagle Troop of the US Army’s 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment. The primary period of time covered is from the late 1980’s through the cease fire called for Desert Storm.
The book gives a snapshot of the primary leaders of Eagle Troop, A little history of the unit as it fulfilled its mission in Germany during the cold war of guarding the border between West Germany and the Soviet Block is presented. Just as the cold war was ending, things were heating up in the Middle East. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, the unit was quickly dispatched to Saudi Arabia. When the time finally came for coalition forces to strike against Iraq, Eagle Troop led the way.
Eagle Troop, and the American VII Corp, launched against the Iraqis. Eagle Troop spear pointed the advance with 12 M1A1 Abrahams tanks and an assortment of other vehicles including a few M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. US forces faced the Iraqi army as well as the elite Republican Guard. Both were equipped with Soviet T-72 and T-55 tanks, as well as the Soviet BMP, their mechanized infantry fighting vehicle.
The US was facing the Iraqi military which was much larger in sheer number and which had combat experience from the recent war with Iran. The untried US armored units were anticipating heavy casualties. On February 26, 1991, Eagle Troop encountered the Tawakalna Brigade of the Republican Guard. In the 23 minutes of combat, Eagle Troop destroyed more than 50 Iraqi tanks and other vehicles without loosing a single vehicle of their own.
I enjoyed this non-fiction novel of the US Army. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘R’ as there are instances of Violence. This Non-Fiction novel tells the story of Eagle Troop of the US Army’s 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment. The primary period of time covered is from the late 1980’s through the cease fire called for Desert Storm.
The book gives a snapshot of the primary leaders of Eagle Troop, A little history of the unit as it fulfilled its mission in Germany during the cold war of guarding the border between West Germany and the Soviet Block is presented. Just as the cold war was ending, things were heating up in the Middle East. When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, the unit was quickly dispatched to Saudi Arabia. When the time finally came for coalition forces to strike against Iraq, Eagle Troop led the way.
Eagle Troop, and the American VII Corp, launched against the Iraqis. Eagle Troop spear pointed the advance with 12 M1A1 Abrahams tanks and an assortment of other vehicles including a few M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. US forces faced the Iraqi army as well as the elite Republican Guard. Both were equipped with Soviet T-72 and T-55 tanks, as well as the Soviet BMP, their mechanized infantry fighting vehicle.
The US was facing the Iraqi military which was much larger in sheer number and which had combat experience from the recent war with Iran. The untried US armored units were anticipating heavy casualties. On February 26, 1991, Eagle Troop encountered the Tawakalna Brigade of the Republican Guard. In the 23 minutes of combat, Eagle Troop destroyed more than 50 Iraqi tanks and other vehicles without loosing a single vehicle of their own.
I enjoyed this non-fiction novel of the US Army. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
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