In 1982 and 1983, American marines were stationed in Beirut with a vaguely defined mission to keep the peace. In 1982, a new Lebanese president, Bachir Gemayel, was elected, but he was assassinated by Moslem terrorists before he could take office. The terrorists relentlessly pressed their guerrilla war, forcing the marines to stay in 'the Root' and to participate in an increasingly tense and dangerous mission. Written and now revised by a retired Marine Corps captain who served in Beirut, this b