What I liked most about this book was the history of the region -(Afghanistan/Pakistan) - and in particular the timeline of events that lead to 9/11. Staring with the Soviet war in Afghanistan - think Charlie Wilson's war - and tracing Bin Ladin's steps throughout the 80's, this part of the story is riveting. 9/11 is ultimately what inspires Pat Tillman to quit the NFL, give up millions of dollars, and enlist in the Army, and his personal story, and the ethos which lead him to make this decision, is compelling. However, while Tillman is on one hand smart, principled, charismatic, and something of a Renaissance man, on the other hand he is a bit of an arrogant pig (the fight in high school, the trip to Europe) and not a little naive about the military. When President Bush and the US Army fall short time and time again of Pat's own code of honor, he grows highly disillusioned with the war (in Iraq), Uncle Sam, and the government. That is all Krakauer needs to begin inserting his own beliefs on the Bush presidency and war in Iraq, and even though I am no Bush apologist, it does get tiresome. Overall though, it's a good read, and I am very glad I know this story. Readers should be warned that there are some graphic battle and death descriptions; if the author wants war portrayed as senselss and gruesome, and if he wants all notions of military conflict as romantic and heroic debunked, then he succeeds.