Concord Publications Company

JUST CAUSE: Intervention in Panama, 1989-90

by  Gordon Rottman, illustrated by Dmitriy Zgonnik

Reviewed By  T.J. Misiolek, IPMS# 31163

MSRP: $9.95 ISBN: 962-361-633-3 Softbound, 52 pages, 151 black & white photographs, 4 color plates This book is a good pictorial of the U.S. operation to capture Manuel Noriega in Panama. The introduction (three pages of text) gives a fair assessment of the geo-political situation that led up to the armed incursion. Overall, this book is a very interesting read regarding a small, yet very important chapter in American and international history. The majority of the photos show soldiers, individually or in groups, with their personal weapons and equipment. The author does an excellent job of identifying and describing these items. In fact, all captions are informative and very well written. On the vehicle side, LAV-25's and M113's get the lion's share of the coverage. A good number of pictures of HMMWV's and H60 helicopters are also included. A few assorted photos of C-141, C-130H, AC-130H, CH47 and MH-53J Pave Low are also included, as well as an M551 Sheridan and an M167 Towed Vulcan Anti-air Gun. Three photographs of Noriega's shot-up Lear Jet conclude the book. Panamanian forces, both PDF's and DigBats (dignity battalions) are chronicled, as well as a few shots of civilians. Nearly each photo includes a bit of Panamanian landscape or architecture, so the reader can get a true sense of the theater of operations. Panamanian personal weapons and equipment, anti-aircraft guns, and aircraft are also included. The only drawback to the book is through no fault of the author. Much of the action took place at night, but very few pictures of the night action exist. Few pictures show actual combat, most display pre- or post-action shots. However, the soldiers and their weapons are shown living together in context, making this a valuable reference for modern warfare. The color plates by Mr. Zgonnik are very well portrayed, showing individual soldiers from different units in full battle dress. Two soldiers, one Marine and one Delta Force operator are featured. Both the detail and quality are outstanding. Overall, this book is very well done and I recommend it to anyone with an interest in this "little piece of war". I offer a hearty well done to both Mr. Rottman and Mr. Zgonnik for their efforts. It makes a welcome addition to my reference library.

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.