Great story of what it is really like to be a harrier pilot in a war. The book goes into detail about the problems with equipment and bureacracy, the manoeuvres and strategies used to gain an advantage. This complements the descriptions of the actual air battles against the Argentinians.

History of training and tactical development of Sea Harrier aircraft. Description of preparations and training as task force sails to Falkland Islands. Graphically exposes ship-to-ship and inter-service rivalries that compromise the mission. Describes command and staff failures to understand abilities of weapons systems causing unnecessary deaths and ship losses. Makes one wonder if wars are won because losers bureaucracy was more incompetent than winners.

Wonderfully blunt first person account of the Falkland's air campaign, the Harrier jet, and air combat in general. Read along side of Admiral Sandy Woodward's "100 days" on the naval campaign, one gets contrasting views of the same events. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Falkland's war in general or in air combat in particular.

The peace process in El Salvador was very difficult to understand for outsiders, even Salvadorans like me. This book succeeds in claryfing not only the actual events, but also the underlying motives and incentives for each of the parties involved.

The book begins with a good historical analysis, which puts into perspective all the decisions taken during the actual peace negotiations. Once the historical motivation is clear, the actual strategies for the negotiation begin to make perfect sense.

All in all, this book really shines at explaining the underlying interests of the parties and the tactics they resorted to in achieving a truly remarkable agreement.

This book is an excellent study of the behind-the-scenes policy making during the Salvadoran peace process. The author obviously had access to many of the persons involved in the process. It is also lacks the left-wing bias found in much of the U.S. literature on El Salvador. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the Salvadoran Civil War as well as for those who study the topic of negotiated settlements to civil conflicts.

Prior to the publication of this book there were important gaps and inaccuracies in our understanding of the battles for the Falkland Islands. Did Argentinian troops intentionally fire upon a British officer attempting negotiation under a white flag at Goose Green? Were Royal Marines successful in their ambush of Argentinian armored vehicles during the initial invasion? Was the Argentinian Air Force commanded by a fanatical maniac out to establish his service as the dominant domestic political force? The surprising answer to all these question is No, and in a careful and touchingly human review of the activities and decisions of Argentinian forces Middlebrook reveals the tragic gap that developed between Argentinian political leaders and the troops and officers given the difficult task of defending the islands without adequate support as winter closed in. The junta's colossal mistake of assuming the UK would not fight for the Falklands led to the isolation, suffering, and defeat of the occupation forces and, while ultimately setting the stage for democracy in Argentina, seared a painful wound into the soul of a country already carrying conscious of past failures. Middlebrook's access to Argentinian commanders, troops, and families helps reveal the complex social and political landscape of a country which still sees the "Malvinas" in terms of classical European colonialism. It also reveals the operational planning and situational understanding of air and land commanders at critical points in the conflict. Students of this subject will recognize the author as a highly accomplished battle historian.

Martin Middlebrook has once again shown why he is one of the best British authors covering military history. His masterful account of the Falklands, 'Operation Corporate' now has a companion volume, this time covering the war from the Argentinian point of view. The book is well told and is a delight to read and only one of very few covering this war from the 'other side'. You really have to give it to the pilots flying their aircraft against the Britsh Fleet, they had guts, they knew what they were in for but continued with their mission. This is a great story, if you can get a copy do so, you wont be disappointed!

This account of the Falklands Conflict is totally different from all the military style books. It's honesty and patriotism make it unique. For anyone who has an interest in the islands, or for anyone who is interested in the conflict, this witty,intelligent,moving book is a must read.

Beautifully illustrated throughout, this handy guide tells you just about everything you could ever need to know about the flora and fauna of the Falkland Islands. It is a superb example of what a field guide should be. Limited availability still in the Islands themselves. If you are going there to see wildlife beg, borrow or steal a copy of this book.

has to be the definitive work on soldiering in the falklands war, by a rather unusual soldier.

A great documentry record of this sad conflict in British history. The book clearly shows the true causes that led Britain into this conflict. Interviews with all the leading players in the war. Highlights are the true story of the sinking of the Belgrano and what really happened at Bluff cove.

A MUST read for anyone who whants to know the true story of this sad time.

I found this to be extremely informative as well a gripping read. Excellently written and involves the reader to make the material come alive. If you have any interest in this conflict this is *the* authoritative read.

This is one of the few books I've read that deals with the Argentinian side of the conflict that I can find in English. The numerous interviews the author conducted with members of the Argentinian Armed Forces lend an excellent personal touch; a 'must have' for your personal library

In this fascinating book, Kevin Foster looks at the ways in which Britain experienced the Falklands war. He makes sense of the vast number of accounts, and of the various themes rehearsed.

The Thatcher Government portrayed its decision to fight, and its conduct of the campaign, as expressions of the essential national character, the 'true Britain'. The mass media at once swung into line. In fact, the war primarily served a purpose hostile to the nation, Thatcher's political survival.

Government and media equated Argentina's initial recovery of the Islands with the Nazi invasion of Poland, as they immediately identified the war with the Second World War, and Thatcher with Churchill. They saw the Falklands as the image of Britain, a ravished island Eden. They ignored the harsher similarities, of economic dependence, under-investment and social inequality.

The media depended on the military for information, which turned the journalists into what one called 'troopie groupies'. The media became a single, responsible voice speaking for 'our common cause'. According to their account, 'our' Government never faltered, 'our' flawless heroes carried out a perfect campaign. On the other side, their corrupt, undemocratic Government and its murderous thugs waged a campaign of Latin incompetence.

The war was supposedly unavoidable. There was no alternative; the British Government, guileless innocent in a naughty world, was forced into war by the Satanic enemy. Our supreme temptation was the serpent 'appeasement', diplomacy a cunning trap set by wily foreigners. Peace demonstrators were described as pro-fascist, dissenters as collaborators. In practice, this meant rejecting in principle all ceasefire proposals and negotiations; it meant war without compromise. The only acceptable ethical outcome was the enemy's total surrender.

Government and media celebrated the war as the source of national salvation, even, in Thatcher's memoirs, of world salvation. War was rebirth, welfare, humanitarianism.

This presentation of the Falklands war has become the media model for all subsequent wars. Kevin Foster's book is a model of sanity; its publication now is especially timely.