Filled with facts and beautifully written

As someone aware of the events in Afghanistan and familiar with the characters, I can say that Steve has done it once again. The book starts where his last book, The Ghost Wars, ended. It is filled with facts and details and Steve has access to people and stories that hardly leave close circles. There are some claims, however, that are clearly untrue. For instance, the claim that Massoud had $60million in UK accounts. As a matter of fact, Massoud and the Northern Alliance never had a cash more than $10million dollars at any time of their resistance against the Taliban. In fact, after Massoud's visit to the EU parliament and France, he was promised a sum of more than $50million in the following year which he saw as a green light by the international community to increase the fight and push back the Taliban. This was evident in his post-France visit plans of buying new heavy military equipment, warheads, etc. Including stocks of military uniforms/gears to begin what the process of the creation of the Afghan National Army. Financially he struggled and countries were reluctant to help, this is why the fight remained in the northeast and pockets in central, west and southern Afghanistan. His cash flow was so inconsistent and mediocre that he had to rely on a combination of some foreign assistance, selling of minerals, and donations to make ends meet and feed the resistance fighters. Additionally, it is hard to miss the heroes in of this book. Amrullah Saleh, seems to dominate the first few chapters of the book, he also happens to be a friend of Steve as well as one of his main sources on the inner stories and workings of the Northern Alliance. Nontheless, Saleh has been a prominent character in the Afghan politics atlleast since the 2004 Afghan presidential elections.

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Thorough picture of the crazy conflict of our time

loved it till the end. hope policy makers heed the mistakes and blunders mentioned in the book.

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Fascinating

A well researched insightful work detailing another failed attempt of a superpower to control Afghanistan

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A must read for anyone interested in Afghanistan

I would call it a sequel to author's last book.
very well written and very detailed analysis.
the book gives background to many incidents that happened and I didn't Know the full story of it.
I would highly recommend it.

1 person found this helpful

Long and quite dry

if you're into geopolitics and military in a big way you'll like this book. I just found it boring and too long.

Brilliant, educational and thought provoking

Fascinating piece of investigative journalism that really helps to understand Afghanistan's history and present. Together with Ghost Wars, it is a must-read for anyone interested in Afghanistan.

Excellent

A masterclass in investigative writing. In-depth , detailed and sober analysis of the various facets, protagonists and machinations involved

It was very insightful, informative and detailed.

Lots of names to keep track of, but very enjoyable. I've long been a fan of Steve Coll''s work. A great companion for Ghost Wars.

exhaustive and exhausting

massively US centric. hugely detailed. highly recommend by me. a mindbending cast of characters, most of whom you would not like to meet on a dark night in Kabul. superbly read.

Politics is killing innocent people

So, by far this is the longest book I’ve ever listened to, it took a couple of weeks of driving to and from work but I can honestly say the subject matter was excellent. I’ve long been interested in the complexity of The War o Terror, increasingly I want to understand why it’s gone so badly for the West and why there is so much hatred towards what in theory is a honourable quest - the desire to free people from the shackles of extremism.

Whilst honourable it’s clear to me that the intervention isn’t wanted, the People of the Islam resent Western involvement and it is not for the West to dictate another’s way of life.

This books discusses the Politics, the secrets and the back handed dealings of the West and Pakistan, the relationship is a cloak of deceit, The West doesn’t trust Pakistan, nor Afghanistan for that matter and the feeling is mutual but still people die.

Why - I’ll keep reading and listening in the hope that one day the rationale becomes clear.

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