Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001
by Steve Coll
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Read in April, 2008
When a dictator called Dr David Capie took over a country called Human Security Class, he imprisoned 108 rebels and put up a brutal regime called Book Review, which denied and robbed all the citizens of their basic human rights such as: partying through the night, sitting on their ass watching youtube or lying on the beach etc. This regime also went against their basic religion, i.e Being-total-scum-ism and caused a wave of resentment and horror. Due to geographic isolation and ethnic cleavages,...more
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I got this book for free by reviewing a chapter of a writing textbook for some publisher. It sat on my shelf for a year and a half while I scraped together the courage to actually read it. At 500 pages, this is one long piece of nonfiction. The title alone is exhausting. But it won a Pulitzer! So away we go.
The book begins shortly before I was born, when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan and erected a Communist leader. I don't remember this guy's name, but he never really had a strong grip on...more
The book begins shortly before I was born, when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan and erected a Communist leader. I don't remember this guy's name, but he never really had a strong grip on...more
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Read in April, 2008
Well, this will be brief which is difficult about such a long book. detail and information wise this book was incredible. filled to the brim. also the narrative and writing style kept it going well despite ten thousand names of diplomats, un workers, al-qaeda dudes, mujahideeners, acronyms and on and on. so on that score it was impressive and highly recommended.
on the other hand, the books seems to put across several conflicting ideas about what "we" (the west or america or the cia...more
on the other hand, the books seems to put across several conflicting ideas about what "we" (the west or america or the cia...more
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Read in January, 2006
738 pages but I could not put it down. Steve Coll is an editor of the Washington Post. He writes well and the book is well researched. Most important, he had access to the highest offices in the White House, Pentagon, and the CIA in writing this book. This is the most comprehensive account of CIA activity against Bin Laden and al-queda that I have read.
Without a doubt it is told from a pro-US perspective. But many of the names, events, and facts triangulate well with other sources. ...more
Without a doubt it is told from a pro-US perspective. But many of the names, events, and facts triangulate well with other sources. ...more
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Read in March, 2008
This is a meticulously researched account of the CIA's role in Afghanistan. It chronicles the actions of America stemming from the soviet invasion up until 9/11. It's extremely lengthy, and has 100 pages or more of footnotes, but is a great background to understanding the intricacies of the modern conflict in the nation as well as the region. The author is likely better informed than the Pentagon specialists for the area. It was also reassuring in a lot of ways. In an era where most people don't...more
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This book is impressively well researched, and even more impressive, Coll does an excellent job of retaining readability in the midst of all this detail.
For now, this is the definitive book for understanding the run up to the 9/11 attacks. Coll begins the story with the ramping up of covert CIA aid to the Afghans in their war against the Soviets. It is clear that Coll is not too terribly impressed with Charlie Wilson (I have Charlie Wilson's War sitting in my book 'bullpen')
Coll follows two ...more
For now, this is the definitive book for understanding the run up to the 9/11 attacks. Coll begins the story with the ramping up of covert CIA aid to the Afghans in their war against the Soviets. It is clear that Coll is not too terribly impressed with Charlie Wilson (I have Charlie Wilson's War sitting in my book 'bullpen')
Coll follows two ...more
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Read in December, 2007
This book provides an extraordinarily detailed picture of the colossal bureaucratic and intelligence blunders that enabled radical Islamists over two decades which would culminate in the catastrophe of September 11th, 2001.
The author interviews most of the major players and documents the short-sightedness of not only the CIA and State Department, but also the presidents: Reagan, who only saw the Soviet threat of the 1980s in Afghanistan; Bush Sr., who seemed clueless about the civil war th...more
The author interviews most of the major players and documents the short-sightedness of not only the CIA and State Department, but also the presidents: Reagan, who only saw the Soviet threat of the 1980s in Afghanistan; Bush Sr., who seemed clueless about the civil war th...more
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Read in September, 2004
recommends it for:
Tomes! Tomes! More tomes!
Coll's Ghost Wars represents an essential history of US involvement in Afghanistan right up to September 11, 2001. Every citizen who cites the war on terror as their main issue when they vote should read this book. Well documented and intensely researched, this book articulated how the United States had been involved with the anti-Communist fighters who would later make up the Taliban and Al Qaeda. A good read for fans of history, of US intelligence and Cold War games. Also worth reading for any...more
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Read in April, 2008
Author: Pulitzer-prize-winning guy, managing editor of Washington Post
Story: the long tragedy leading up to 9/11
If you want to learn about the CIA and/or the war in Afghanistan and/or bin Laden and/or 9/11, this is a good place to start.
I am confessing I haven't QUITE finished this, because I keep having to stop and throw it at the wall and yell at officials who should be able to see that ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Good God, all the sound bites about "IslamoFascists" and &q...more
Story: the long tragedy leading up to 9/11
If you want to learn about the CIA and/or the war in Afghanistan and/or bin Laden and/or 9/11, this is a good place to start.
I am confessing I haven't QUITE finished this, because I keep having to stop and throw it at the wall and yell at officials who should be able to see that ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Good God, all the sound bites about "IslamoFascists" and &q...more
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This book almost certainly has to be included on any "top five" list for casual readers (i.e., not members of the intelligence community) interested in understanding our present involvement in Afghanistan and our nation's broader relationship the countries in the region. Although it is a dense read at times, Coll deftly traces the history of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, including supporting the anti-Soviet mujahadeen and failing to help stave off the post-Soviet-era chaos. I woul...more
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Finally; it took me about 3 months but I finished it.
This was one of the best nonfiction books I have read in a long time. I have no idea how Coll got access to that much information and how he was able to organize it that well. But just trying to imagine how much research must have gone into this book makes me want to shake his hand. It's really a phenomenal collection of information and the language is accessible and intelligent at the same time. Some of the analysis is a bit superficial ...more
This was one of the best nonfiction books I have read in a long time. I have no idea how Coll got access to that much information and how he was able to organize it that well. But just trying to imagine how much research must have gone into this book makes me want to shake his hand. It's really a phenomenal collection of information and the language is accessible and intelligent at the same time. Some of the analysis is a bit superficial ...more
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Fascinating history behind Al Qaeda and the political/civil turmoil that plagued Afghanistan during the last thirty years. One of the most poignant realizations I had during my reading was how similar bin Laden is to so many of the great villains of history and literature - someone with great talent, who allows himself to become corrupted by a sense of entitlement, similar to Voldemort, HItler, and Satan of "Paradise Lost." I now understand when they talk about this part of Asia on N...more
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Read in December, 2005
recommends it for:
People who want to know everything about the lead up to 9/11
Coll is a brilliant and talented writer. This book is an absolute must for anyone that works or is interested in the intelligence/counter-terrorism/counterinsurgency fields. I do work in the field, and I can attest that this may be the one book that every official has sitting on her desk, next to her reading chair, or on the top shelf of her book case. If you're not familiar with Mr. Coll, you should check out the work he is currently doing at the New America Foundation.
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Read in August, 2006
This book digs into the amazing and disturbing truth of the secretly funded wars and conflicts the United States dealt with during the cold war with the Soviets, right on up to September 10th 2001.
The roots of the Taliban, Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, it describes and teaches us a sort of political Karma. Cause and effect, it makes you angry to read how we (the US) pretty much gave power to these terrorist organizations of Afghanistan and its regions.
The roots of the Taliban, Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, it describes and teaches us a sort of political Karma. Cause and effect, it makes you angry to read how we (the US) pretty much gave power to these terrorist organizations of Afghanistan and its regions.
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A very eye-opening and, at the same time, horribly frustrating history of the US involvement in the Middle East since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This book is informative, well researched, and does not get in to party line politics. It simply seeks to inform. I love history, so this was a great read for me, but if history is not your thing, you may want to steer clear of this book because it is detailed to a fault.
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Read in April, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone
I cannot tell you how much I learned from this book. Many things I read lately, in the paper or elsewhere, have been effected from reading this book. If you want to understand the horrors of modern times and generally the politics of the middle east - this is a good place to begin. But beware, once you read this book - it will only make you more curious and this door will lead to many other doors.
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Read in January, 2006
This is a well-written and factual account of the CIA's actions in the decades leading up to 9/11. It deals with alot of complex situations and therefore can be a bit confusing at times, but all-around is a really great book if you want to educate yourself on foriegn policy the inside info on our governments actions. Lesson learned - our government has not learned any lessons.
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Read in January, 2006
This is a great book, very educational and enlighten. You will better understand the world news and current events dealing international “problems.” The book takes you back into the 1970’s and up to 9/11/01 and what actions allowed it to happen.
The recent assassination of Pakistan’s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has a different meaning for those who read this book.
The recent assassination of Pakistan’s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has a different meaning for those who read this book.
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
spies & diplomats and all their groupies
An amazing book, too intricate to even begin to summarize. If you want to understand bin Laden/Al Qaeda/terror groups, and how U.S./Saudi Arabia/Pakistan/other countries deal with them, this is must-reading. Also makes you realize that the world is still very feudal; shows you how the ruling elite - regardless of nationality - all know and deal with each other.
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone
Just finished this up and tomorrow is 9-11...didn't plan it that way at all, just sort of happened. This is a long one but so worth the read. It is excellent and objective. I was amazed at Steve Coll's extensive research. The story was well written and fascinating...I definitely learned a lot. The major downside was knowing how it was all going to end.
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