Armored Cav

November 15, 1994
Today's cavalry has traded four-hoofed mounts for heavily armored tanks, fighting vehicles, and helicopters in a combined arms force that is prepared for combat against much larger forces. In this report, noted technothriller novelist Clancy takes readers on a tour of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. He explores the delicacies found in an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) and describes such hardware as the Abrams battle tank, the Apache helicopter, and the nine-millimeter Beretta pistol. Through interviews with General Franks of the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command and Captain McMaster of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the author reveals what life was like during the Persian Gulf War. Clancy's thorough research makes a persuasive case for maintaining a strong post-Cold War military. For all public libraries and many academic libraries.-Grant A. Fredericksen, Illinois Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora

October 15, 1994
The second in Clancy's Guided Tour series about modern military hardware takes us ashore from last year's "Submarine" to the U.S. Army's armored cavalry regiments. These highly mobile units of 5,000 men and many hundreds of vehicles ranging from helicopters and tanks down to trucks are among the army's elite units, able to perform just about any operation of war short of an amphibious landing but specializing in reconnaissance. Clancy provides his usual thoroughly researched, clearly written, enthusiastic coverage of the machines, personnel, history, strategy and tactics, and training of his subject, and his help in making sense of the tossed salad of acronyms that fills many a techno-thriller besides his own is invaluable. The facts that armored cavalry faced and passed with flying colors a rigorous combat test in the Gulf War and is the focus of much research and development concerning its anticipated role in small wars and peacekeeping operations give the book added attraction for readers who chow down on the details of military hardware. Admirable, readable, informative, probably not the last of the series, and highly recommended. ((Reviewed October 15, 1994))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1994, American Library Association.)