During the Gulf War, the Allied governments and the Pentagon combined to impose unprecedented restrictions on the media's access to the battlefield. This book uses interviews with over 500 senior policy-makers, military officers and soldiers, in an attempt to provide a more balanced account of the war. The book follows the 42 days of war, from the first night to the final day, providing vivid accounts of bombing runs and White House strategy sessions, firefights and bitter inter-service conflicts. The book brings to life a rich cast of characters, from Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell to pilot David Eberly whose plane was shot down over Iraq.