The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy (Hellgate Memories Series)

It's not often that I pick up a book about something other than the Vietnam War but I'm so glad I did. The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy by Steven Manchester is amazing! It's not that the war was amazing but rather the way the author has depicted it and perhaps amazing is still not the right word to use. As I opened Chapter One for the first time Steve was talking about being onboard the C-5A Galaxy plane that was taking his National Guard unit off to the Middle East. He wrote candidly of his feelings toward the war and his fellow soldiers. He was open and honest throughout the entire book. This was the first time the American public watched as members of the National Guard and various Reserve units around the United States were being deployed along with their active duty counterpart troops to serve their country. No it's not the first time units of that nature were deployed but this time was different. Everything was aired on television and the country quickly became aware of the sacrifices our men and women in uniform were making. Many were leaving spouses, children and jobs behind. In some instances both parents of children were being deployed and their children were being left with grandparents or other family members. Steven's group was no different. Many members of his Military Police (MP) Company from Massachusetts were married and had families. Throughout the chapters he reflected on some of them. He spoke of how he and "his comrades have come to heal their nation from a ghost that has haunted them for two decades: the poltergeist of Vietnam." He wrote of seeing "the after-effects of 41 days of uninterrupted bombing." AND how "The Arabian Desert has been used as a testing ground for every new weapon in the American arsenal." He held nothing back including his feelings and emotions. The war itself ended on 28 February 1991 but that's when Steve's group was really put to work. However, Steve's war began earlier when he was first injected with the many shots required of the soldiers before they could deploy. They were already getting ill from those shots and the pills they were forced to swallow frequently that were supposed to protect them from various known nerve agents. Now "Steve's body is invaded with its own ghost of torment." He and his fellow soldier's have been "brutally introduced to `The Mystery Illness'" better known to the American public as Persian Gulf Syndrome. As Steve sat onboard that C-5A he reflected on his life, family, friends, and how he got to that point in his life. He realized he was 23 years old and now responsible for ten other lives in his squad. His wife was being left behind, out of work due to a back injury, to handle everything that he normally did. He wrote about growing up in a loving household in New England-an area that I'm very familiar with-of his school years, and his best friend. Steve spoke of their very special friendship. His friend wanted to go in the Marine Corps b

The Unexpected Storm was extraordinarily written. Filled with emotion, this book gives an honest perspective of a citizen soldier serving our country with dignity. The author, Steven Manchester showed how courageous he is by sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings. And he did an outstanding job specifically describing the physical environment in the Gulf region. His ability to help the reader visualize and feel what he experienced is remarkable. Veterans, or not - people of all ages should read this book!

This new author's writing style keeps you interested and entertained from the very first page to the last. This book provides an accurate as well as enlightening account of the Gulf experience for those of us safe at home. While reading The Unexpected Storm, I experienced emotions ranging from grief and laughter, to fear and disgust. The story explains the physical and emotional changes these men went through during the war. Most left as boys, and returned as men, with much more respect for those who went before them. This is a book I would recommend everyone to read -- it makes you think about the many things we take for granted.

I had to wait a few weeks, but I finally got a copy of The Unexpected Storm. It took me two days to read it and the only time I stopped was when I wiped my eyes. I served in the Gulf War back in 91 and since coming home, I've tried everything to forget what I saw. But, I won't ever forget. So thanks Steve! Now I know I'm not alone. I guess I wasn't waiting two weeks for the book. I've been waiting ten years. It was worth the wait! Thanks Again!

The Unexpected Storm was not only educational and emotionally provoking but also an eye opener. It was difficult to put down and the pages continued to turn. This book will be appreciated by not only the men and women who have fought for all of us, but the book will also be appreciated by friends and families of those individuals. It opens closed minds to facts that many of us don't want to even consider never mind believe. The author with his admirable courage has given a voice to those soldiers who have been silent for so long. After reading The Unexpected Storm, I have a greater respect to all those who have chosen to fight for our freedoms clearly at their own expense.