Background
Published in December of 2019, “When Reagan Sent in the Marines” by Patrick J. Sloyan is an account of the 1983 bombing of the US Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and the subsequent deployment of US troops as part of a multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon. The book chronicles the political and military decisions made by the Reagan administration, as well as the experiences of the troops on the ground in Beirut. Sloyan draws on his extensive reporting from the region, as well as interviews with key players involved in the events, to provide an analysis of US foreign policy. He also sheds light on the complex and often fraught relationships between the US, Israel, and various factions within Lebanon, which continue to shape the region today.
My Thoughts
I started reading this book to keep up on my professional understanding of the Marines and history in general. I found it difficult to keep myself moving through it as it wasn’t particularly gripping for me. The author didn’t pull any punches on President Reagon and how he handled the situation. It made me wonder the back story of the author and if this was a propaganda piece. Unfortunately, I don’t know much else about the tragedy in Beirut and will have to find some other histories to build up that knowledge. This book definitely gave me some things to think about.
Recommendation
It wasn’t a gripping read but made me want to learn more.