Line of Fire: From Washington to Gulf, the Politics & Battles of New Military

Though he was assigned fewer seagoing commands than most of his Navy brethren (and was ``never a very `military' individual''), Crowe's abilities in strategic planning, military-congressional politics and international relations were recognized early on by his superiors. He eventually served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs under presidents Reagan and Bush. Here he discusses his role in the military's biggest recent challenges, e.g., the downfall of Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos, confrontation with Libyan strongman Muammar Khaddafy, and the development of U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf. The admiral explains why he opposed the drive to implement the Star Wars program. Crowe makes perceptive, provocative and illuminating observations about the relationships between the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, the White House and the news media and clarifies how high-level military policy is made. His story of his warm but ultimately sorrowful friendship with Marshal Sergei Akhromeyev, his Soviet counterpart, will not soon be forgotten by readers. The Marshal, unable to cope with the fall of Communism, committed suicide. Photos. (Apr.)