The American War in Afghanistan

Penetrating...estimable...a broad-reaching and quietly authoritative overview of U.S. involvement, from 9/11 onward. [Malkasian] is good on military operations...No less important, he enlightens us on the Afghan part of the story - on the tribal system and its variations; on the forbidding geography, so vital in the fighting; on the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and his decision-making; on the complex and ever-shifting relationships between the government of Hamid Karzai and the warlords in the provinces.--Fredrik Logevall, The New York Times Book Review A full an authoritative account of US involvement in Afghanistan...Malkasian combines meticulous scholarship with a practitioner's eye. --Foreign Affairs A sweeping history of the 20-year encounter between Americans and Afghans...Malkasian is drawn to two conflicting, but not irreconcilable, themes: American officials made a series of colossal errors that continually frustrated their own goals, and the Taliban probably would have returned to power even if the foreigners had gotten things right. Perhaps both are true. --Foreign Policy A powerful new book. -- Fareed Zakaria, The Washington Post [A] comprehensive history of the longest armed conflict in US history...Malkasian gives a blow-by-blow of American phases of the war...A sweeping, deeply researched account that will gratify specialists and nonspecialists alike. -- Kirkus, Starred Review A rigorous, blow-by-blow chronicle of the US war in Afghanistan...Synthesizing a vast array of literature from both sides of the conflict, including Oval Office transcripts and Taliban war poetry, Malkasian gets deep into the weeds, but offers a refreshingly nuanced and well-informed perspective. Foreign policy wonks will savor this comprehensive reckoning with America's 'forever war'. -- Publishers Weekly