A disclaimer, here: I am in awe of pilots. From the ones who pilot the two-seater puddlejumpers to those who move the Concorde from here to there. Anyone with the intestinal fortitude and self-confidence to even think that they can learn to bring a plane up in one place and down in another is better than I am.

My admiration for pilots is up another hundred notches after reading EVERY MAN A TIGER. It is Tom Clancy's second (INTO THE STORM was the first) account of war and combat as interpreted by some of the United States' most important military leaders. Clancy wrote EVERY MAN A TIGER in collaboration with General Chuck Horner (ret.), whose bonafides are beyond question. EVERY MAN A TIGER traces Horner's career from his commission into the Air Force Reserve in 1958 to flying combat missions into North Vietnam; through the post-Vietnam decline in the Armed Forces in general, and the Air Force in particular, under the Carter Administration, and its restoration under the Reagan Administration; to the pinnacle of his career as the Commander of all United States and allied war assets during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations.

We learn along the way how airstrikes and air combat have evolved from strategic, tactical and technological standpoints. There are several "gee whiz" descriptions of what Air Force hardware is able to do. Though, to Clancy's credit, the descriptions do not get lost in the technological jargon. Clancy and General Horner also bring the reader to the table during the preparatory meetings when Desert Shield and Desert Storm were being planned (there are times when the reader will feel that he is seated to the immediate right of President Bush). The ultimate focus here, however, is on General Horner, and rightly so. For this is an extremely complex man: he hates war in his soul, yet loves combat, he loves his wife and family, yet is drawn to the thrill of leaving his home in the dark of night to partake in missions vital to national defense while the rest of us sleep peacefully. The ultimate worth of EVERY MAN A TIGER is that Clancy and General Horner put a human face upon the technological strategy, and tactics of the United States Air Force.

EVERY MAN A TIGER (and its companion volume, INTO THE STORM) is the perfect gift for the man who has served in any branch of the Armed Forces, or for anyone interested in learning about the whys, hows and wherefores of the military. And it should be required reading for anyone concerned with the ongoing necessity for a strong state of readiness among the United States Armed Forces.      

   --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

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