The rise of service supremacists -- Jones breaks ranks -- The House fires the first shot -- Texas politics -- Unfinished business -- Misfire in the Senate -- Beirut -- Scholars and old soldiers -- Nichols runs Tower's blockade -- Crowe makes waves -- Goldwater and Nunn close ranks -- Weinberger stonewalls -- Naval gunfire -- McFarlane outflanks the Pentagon -- Trench warfare -- Playing the media card -- Gathering of eagles -- Expedition into hostile territory -- Seizing the high ground -- Transition to the offensive -- The Packard Commission reinforces -- The decisive battle -- Mopping-up operations -- The commander in chief approves.