Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

Charlie Wilson's War (unabridged)is a "must listen" for anyone interested in Middle Eastern current events. At first, I thought that a non-fiction documentary, 20-hour account, of the Afgan struggle against the Soviet Union, had the potential to be a real bore. Man, was I wrong! This is one of those audio books that makes you run extra earings for the wife so you can listen to more and more and more! I would highly recommend this great book by George Crile to any student of history, Middle-Eastern Islamic affairs, and geo-political spy story aficionados.

Charlie Wilson's War is an enormously entertaining and informative history of the secret war that put the final nail in the Soviet coffin, leaving behind a vacuum into which stepped the Taliban and Al Queda. This is a truly great narrative of how we arrived in this post Cold War world with it's new terrorist wars.

(Another great book that addresses some of the same questions is, "All the Shah's Men" by Stephen Kinzer)

This book is a complex story which will grab your attention and keep it. After reading or listening to it you will have a much better insight into why we are where we are today in the Middle East. You will also learn that Ronald Reagan DIDN'T defeat the Russians (much to my disappointment, since I am a Reagan supporter)despite what anyone says.

You will learn how our government REALLY works, particularly Congress. Trading favors regardless of political party or whether your representativr is a conservative or a liberal.
You will learn more about why the CIA wasn't there when 9/11 occurred than you ever will from the sanitized 9/11 Commission Report.

You will learn that Reagan bet on the wrong horse (Nicaragua amd the Contras) to beat the Russians while the long shot (the Afghans and Pakistan) won the race and toppled the Russians with the help of a Texas Democrat who was everything that Muslims hate about America, a drunken womanizer. His fight to unite Pakistanis, Afghans, Israelis, Saudis, Egyptians, Swiss and more into one of the most rag-tag coalitions in history all in the single goal of defeating and destroying the Red Giant. And succeeding better than anyone could have imagined.

When you read or listen to this book you will not believe your eyes or ears. You will not regret the time you spend with this vook but if you don't read it, you will miss one of the most straightforward honestly written books ever. Having read thousands of books in my life, this is something I have never said about any other book I have ever read. IT will really open ypur eyes, no matter what your political beliefs may be.

I know that I will be recommending it to all of my friends and relatives, which is something else I never do.

Many people have commented favourably about this book and I will throw my hat into the ring in this regard. Growing up I never learned anything about Afganistan and the Soviet occupation--if anything, my knowledge of this era was formed by watching Rambo III. Now, not to discredit the Rambo franchiase, but providing an accurate historical accounts is not Sly's strength.

Charlie Wilson's War is a great introduction to this whole topic. It gives a compelling snapshot of Afganistan, the CIA, the Soviet occupation and the root causes of Islamic fundamentalism in Afganistan and how this was the root cause of 9/11. Essentially, the book makes the point that the CIA's covert war in Afganistan planted the seeds for the 9/11 attacks.

The audio book is perfectly narrated, has compelling characters, and is much much more informative than the movie of the same name. I watched the movie before reading the book, and purchased the book becuase I had the sense that there was so much detail cut out to fit the book into a 95 minute Hollywood film.

The best thing about this book is the sheer research that must have gone into it. The research is understated, but the comments the author collects from the players in this drama and then weaves into the book is impressive.

Highly recommended--no doubt in my top 5 of Audible listens.

The editor's synopsis makes this book seem like a dry account of one of the many battles of the cold war. In reality, this book is about a number of things: the inner workings and culture of the CIA and US Congress, the comical account of an "upwardly failing" alcoholic congressman, the incredible backdoor dealings of millionaire Texas socialites and foreign military dictators and lobbyists. I was absolutely captivated from beginning to end. I listened to this during the course of two roadtrips and would actually reduce my car speed so I could finish the book more quickly. There is a reason why this book is among the most popular books on Audible. You won't regret reading it -- while it is a non-fiction book, the story reads like complete fiction. You'll love it.

This book gives a very detailed explaination of one way that the Congress works with, or how it can work around the rest of the federal government. I strongly encourage others to read or listen to this book, and I look forward to seeing Tom Hank's representation of Charlie in the movie.

This is the first audible.com book I have downloaded and listened to. I am now an addicted audiophile to this type of media. Charlie Wilson's War was a wonderful book that detailed the behind the scenes machinations of the Afghan War.

This book bolsters the notion that what goes on behind the news headlines is far more interesting and eye opening than that which is actually fed to the public. Charlie Wilson is a character who seems to believe that some laws are made to be broken if it will lead to a greater good if the ends justifies the means. In this case, victory for the Afghan rebel fighters and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Empire.

I cannot recommend this book more highly if your looking for story that will keep you riveted to each upcoming chapter and the workings thru the CIA and of a Congressman whom was virtually unknown to the American public.

This book examines the role of the United States in the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan in the 1980s. It helps the reader understand the "miracle" defeat of the the far superior Red Army and the roots of al Qaeda. Packed with little known facts about the war and CIA's inner workings, this book is fascinating.

Charlie Wilson is one of the wierd characters in our Congress who through sheer will-power twists the arms of key government agencies to do his bidding. In this case the cause seemed right, extracting the USSR from Afghanistan. However, one is left with the distinct impression that the checks and balances between branches that our Constitutional mandates don't always work.

The book is well written and the story concisely presented. Don't pass this one up.

The book is long, the story reads like a novel. Just the fact that this really happened is amazing. Though it's been several months since I listened, the insight remains lucid. The implications, both for the defeat of Reagan's "evil empire" and the founding of GW Bush's "axis of evil" is very thought provoking. Things are never as they seem. This is without doubt one of the very best Audible selections I've ever made. It is an absolute must read.