Breach

The first novel about the Persian Gulf War written by a Gulf War veteran, Breach is a raw and unvarnished account of the friendships that arise and the human conflicts that erupt when a tightly knit unit of combat Marines confronts the harsh realities of war. Just weeks after the unit''s arrival in the Arabian desert, a demoralized young officer commits suicide. His death prompts an investigation and sparks concern that he was the target of salacious rumor. To quell the controversy and reinstill discipline, a seasoned lieutenant with a checkered past is dispatched to lead the dead man's platoon. When the lieutenant stumbles upon the likely cause of his predecessor''s demise, he must face the fragile and uncompromising relationship of trust between officers and enlisted men. The unit soon heads to the Saudi-Kuwait border on foot and in armored personnel carriers. Along the way, the lieutenant and his men contend with sandstorms, chemical alerts, friendly fire, and inadequate intelligence, while their senior leaders - veterans of Vietnam and Beirut - are stymied by an ever-changing invasion plan and a lack of supplies. Just weeks before the ground offensive, the Marines race against the clock to prepare for a low-tech battle against landmines, tanks, and nerve gas. With combat looming, the lieutenant and his fellow officers discover their selfish and bungling captain is mistrusted by the rank and file. Fearing the worst if he remains in command, the lieutenants attempt to have him removed. Their noble, yet ill conceived, mutiny offers an unexpected chance to bind the unit together before they must face the enemy. From eager warriors to frustrated veterans, the Marines'' odyssey sheds light on the unforgiving and compassionate personalities in a frontline unit, trumpets the camaraderie and courage of the foot soldiers in a war dominated by smart bombs, and ultimately reveals a disturbing legacy of America's first war in the Middle East.