Charlie Wilson's War

The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

By: George Crile

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 20 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Charlie Wilson’s War is the untold story of the last battle of the Cold War and how it fueled the rise of militant Islam. Charlie Wilson, a maverick congressman from east Texas, conspired with a rogue CIA operative to launch the biggest, meanest, and most successful covert operation in the Agency’s history.

In the early 1980s, after a Houston socialite turned Wilson’s attention to the ragged Afghan freedom fighters who continued to fight the Soviet invaders despite overwhelming odds, the congressman became passionate about their cause and procured hundreds of millions of dollars to support the mujahideen. The arms were secretly procured and distributed with the help of an out-of-favor CIA operative, Gust Avrokotos, whose working-class Greek-American background made him an anomaly among the Ivy League world of American spies. Avrakotos handpicked a staff of CIA outcasts to run his operation and, with their help, continually stretched the Agency’s rules to the breaking point.

Moving from the back rooms of the Capitol, to secret chambers at Langley, to arms-dealers conventions, to the Khyber Pass, Charlie Wilson’s War is a detailed and brilliantly reported account of the inside workings of the CIA.

©2003 George Crile (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• 2004 Audie Award Winner, Unabridged Nonfiction

"Crile, a 60 Minutes producer, offers an absorbing, thoroughly detailed look at the largest and most successful CIA operation in U.S. history: the arming of the Mujahideen in Afghanistan." (Booklist)
"An engaging, well-written, newsworthy study of practical politics and its sometimes unlikely players." (Kirkus Reviews)

“Narrator Christopher Lane affects an even tone and pace, allowing the events of the story to carry the listener to the extraordinary highs and sickening lows of the flawed but heroic Wilson. Thankfully, Lane takes it easy on the accents and shines brightest when allowing a tinge of cynicism in his delivery." ( AudioFile)

“Put the Tom Clancy clones back on the shelf; this covert-ops chronicle is practically impossible to put down.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Fascinating Story of Secret American History

If you could sum up Charlie Wilson's War in three words, what would they be?

This is a book that Americans should read to understand the powerful manipulation of U.S. politicians and the CIA who were able to wage war on Afghanistan without the American public being aware. The astounding amount of funds that were directed to fight this war for the " good " of the country against the Soviets via Pakistan with help from the Arabs.
And later in the recent Afghanistan war , the same weapons were being used against the U.S. and NATO troops!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlie & Gus were fascinating- they maintained their personal agendas for the U.S.
by semi legal maneuverings : they were brilliant and skilled.

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

It brought some historical darkness to light

Any additional comments?

I am ashamed that the US has participated in so many secret invasions and wars in my lifetime

Awesome! Very well done!

If you could sum up Charlie Wilson's War in three words, what would they be?

Well performed and an excellent non-fiction tale. A time when a lot was happening and we, the American public didn't know. Better then just your usual biography.

Any additional comments?

Everyone should get this book.

Hidden Gem of a tail

Narration on Audible version is excellent. Narrator does a great job distinguishing the dialogue of these real life characters using tone and accent.

Charlie Wilson's War

Such an interesting story, written and narrated marvelously, combine for a wonderful listening experience. Five Stars

So much more than the movie!

Charlie Wilson was a modern day hero! Without this book little would be known on his accomplishments. A true renegade spirit gave him the moxie to help a nation and in turn help the United states. An amazing account!

Saw the movie, but this is so much more!

Wonderful book and narration.

As with most Americans, I missed so much of the full story. I’m afraid we all allowed this hate of America to grow and played a part in the tragic situation we now have to deal with. Pretty much the story of the Ugly American.

Highly encourage all to read or listen to this book, in fact, I now want to read it since it’s easy to drift and not pay close attention when you’re listing to a good narrator.

Fascinating, informative and almost unbelievable.

Not only was this book entertaining and compelling, it was very educational. It was fascinating to see behind the scenes in the US government and the CIA. This is one of the best books I have ever read or listened too.

The amazing thing, it's a true story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is quite long, but it covers years. I’m glad I read the book before watching the movie. The movie glossed over the actual struggles in the war, particularly Wilson’s attempts to have a weapon developed that could shoot down the helicopters. The story not only gives a glimpse at the way a third world country could defeat the mighty Soviet Union, it showed the inner workings of Congress and the ability of one man to work the system for a cause in which he truly believed. I found the background story of Wilson’s discussions with
Tip O’Neal involving John Mertha, and O’Neal providing Wilson with the committee assignment that he needed to fund this war, and of course a seat on the Kennedy Center’s Board. A poor bachelor in D.C. needs a place to take dates. I also found the story of Gust Avrakotos to be quite compelling. Without Gust in the right post with the C.I.A. at the right time, Wilson never would have succeeded. I highly recommend this book.

very long where it didn't need to be

I enjoyed the book, but I feel you could have cut out about 6 hours that were not necessary to the story.

Quite a read

I saw the movie a few years ago, but the book goes into much greater detail, of course. It gives a very good history of what happened in Afghanistan & some of the things that led to where we are today.