The first Saturday in October 1973: A traditional Jewish Sabbath in Israel. It is also Yom Kippur, and the Israeli Defense Force is preparing to observe the holiest of the Jewish holy days. The Syrian army has massed on the Golan Heights: 1,200 main battle tanks, 1,000 armored personnel carriers, 1,000 artillery pieces, and 100 mobile antiaircraft missile carriers mount in an offensive that will drive to the sea and cut Israel in two Duel for the Golan, based on interviews with participants from both sides, is a compelling account of one of the greatest tank battles fought since World War II.

It provides in-depth analysis of exactly how an inferior Israeli force inflicted one of the greatest defeats in modern military history. Here are the intimate details of tank-against tank fighting, during retreats, in ambushes, or in the attack. Here are stories of incredible courage and individual initiative. Every Israeli tank on the Golan was hit by hostile fire at least once, and some commanders had five or six tanks shot out from under them.

In only a few days later, Israeli forces counterattacked and advanced to where their artillery could hit strategic targets in Damascus with pinpoint accuracy. The Syrian army was virtually destroyed in the field, as were contingents from other Arab states. How these remarkable turns of battle occurred is deftly laid out.