Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001

Rating:
Summary: Six stars!
Review: This is a wonderful book that gave me new insights into how we got to where we are today in the battle with bin Laden and al-Qaeda and makes it clear that this battle really began over a decade ago. Too bad President Clinton didn't approve one of the several plans developed to take bin Laden out. This is a must read for anyone who really wants to understand Iraq and Afghanistan and the war we find ourselves in today.

Rating:
Summary: A surprisingly quick read
Review: Ghost Wars is one of the first books I read on the history of American involvement in and around Afghanistan and I still think it is one of, if not the best book on the subject. The book is amazingly well researched, especially since the subject matter has primarily been kept secret from most of the American public.

Mr. Coll introduces us to some of the meanest people on the planet and he does it in a way that allows the reader to gain an understanding of the plight of the people involved, on both sides, without be overly judgmental or one sided. We get to meet members of the CIA, ISI, the mujahadeen and various other characters that live and die in the world of espionage, intrigue and fractious tribal warfare. We gain an explicit understanding of the reasons the United States takes a vested interest in beautiful but God forsaken part of the world.

Ghost Wars is a real page turner. I was never bored for an instant. If you're interested in covert ops, and a history of U.S. involvement in this area of the world; I can't recommend this book highly enough.


Rating:
Summary: It Didn't Begin on 9-11
Review: Without a doubt, one of the best histories written about our involvement in Afghanistan. Using sources unavailable to others, Coll takes you into the councils of the war lords and explains the US involvement in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. Of particular interest is his reporting on our relationships with the Saudis and Pakistan. His riveting story reads like a novel. Learn about the key players who have prepared the ground for our most recent operations there. I only hope Coll writes a sequel picking up the story from September 11 forward. A must read for anyone wanting to understand why we had to take action.