“A gripping, superbly researched, and masterfully crafted account of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Operation Desert Storm. Left Hook captures one of the most decisive and rapid armored thrusts in modern warfare. Under the exceptional leadership of then–Major General Barry McCaffrey, one of his generation’s most gifted and highly decorated war fighters, the division demonstrated how disciplined preparation, operational clarity, and relentless momentum can translate doctrine into battlefield dominance. This is not only the story of a remarkable unit in combat, but also of command at its finest—where leadership, training, and trust forged victory in the harshest of environments.” 

– General David Petraeus (US Army, Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; former Director of the CIA; and co-author of New York Times’ best-selling book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza

“General Barry McCaffrey is a true American hero, from his combat tours in Vietnam as a junior officer to his cabinet-level service as our nation's drug czar. But in many ways, his pinnacle military moment was command of the storied 24th Division in Desert Storm. This is a book full of combat experience at the highest level and deserves to be studied by our nation's warriors.”

– Admiral James Stavridis, 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and author of 2084: A Novel of Future War

“This is not just the real-life story of one of the bravest soldiers in American history. It is also a look at how General McCaffrey’s expert combat leadership produced the most stunning battlefield victory since the Second World War.”  

– Colonel Jack Jacobs (U.S. Army, retired), Medal of Honor Recipient

“Don’t think America produces any more combat generals?  Meet General Barry McCaffrey. This smart, tough commander led from the front during our country’s smashing victory against Iraq in the 1990-1991 war—that would be the one we won, and won big. In Left Hook, Vietnam War combat veteran and acclaimed author Bill Reeder explains how and why McCaffrey and his soldiers triumphed. It’s a gripping story of bravery, grit, and above all leadership under fire.”

– Daniel P. Bolger, Lieutenant General (U.S. Army, Retired), author of The Panzer Killers

“Left Hook is a riveting account of one of the defining operations of Desert Storm. Bill Reeder brings to life the 24th Infantry Division’s decisive role in the Gulf War with rigorous research, narrative force, and a deep understanding of combat and command. At the center of the story is General Barry McCaffrey, the kind of battlefield leader history rarely produces— disciplined, courageous, and utterly focused on mission and soldiers. This is both a highly readable work of military history and a fitting tribute to the soldiers and leaders who shaped a pivotal moment in modern warfare.” 

– Jen Easterly, Former Director, U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

“The 1991 Gulf War was arguably the greatest American military victory since 1945. It wouldn't have been so successful were it not for the famed "left hook" that swept through the sands of Arabia to catch the Iraqi army by surprise. At the tip of the spear was the 24th Infantry Division led by Major General Barry McCaffrey. William Reeder, himself a storied Army veteran of Vietnam, ably tells the story of both McCaffrey and the 24th I.D.— and does full justice to an American hero leading a superb fighting force into combat. An enthralling read for anyone interested in military history.”

– Max Boot, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, author of the New York Times bestsellers Reagan: His Life and Legend and The Road Not Taken: Edward Lansdale and the American Tragedy in Vietnam