{"product_id":"9781250128423","title":"The Long War : The Inside Story of America and Afghanistan Since 9\/11","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eThe Long War\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): David Loyn\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAs troops pull out of Afghanistan at the end of America’s longest war, David Loyn's \u003ci\u003eThe Long War \u003c\/i\u003euncovers the failures at the start that set the scene for this prolonged conflict. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree American presidents tried to defeat the Taliban – sending 150,000 international troops at the peak and spending a trillion dollars. But early policy mistakes that allowed Osama bin Laden to escape made the task far more difficult. Deceived by easy victories, they backed ruthless corrupt local allies and misspent aid. The story of \u003ci\u003eThe Long War \u003c\/i\u003eis told by the generals who led it through the hardest years of combat as surges of international troops tried to turn the tide. Generals, which include David Petraeus, Stanley McChrystal, Joe Dunford and John Allen, were tested in battle as never before. With the reputation of a “warrior monk,” McChrystal was considered one of the most gifted military leaders of his generation. He was one of two generals to be fired in this most public of commands.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHolding together the coalition of countries who joined America’s fight in Afghanistan was just one part of the multi-dimensional puzzle faced by the generals, as they fought an elusive and determined enemy while responsible for thousands of young American and allied lives. \u003ci\u003eThe Long War\u003c\/i\u003e goes behind the scenes of their command and of the Afghan government. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fourth president to take on the war, Joe Biden, pulled troops out in 2021, twenty years after 9\/11, while the conflict still raged, a decision with unforeseeable consequences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Loyn’s pages are steeped in tragic misinterpretation and always with a sympathy for ordinary people who deserved much better. A well-executed and dispiriting study of imperial overreach and cultural collision.\" —\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e In Afghanistan\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“It would be naive to suggest that the odds favour success. Loyn's excellent primer explains why, and should be slipped into President Obama's Christmas stocking.” —Max Hastings for\u003ci\u003e The Sunday Times \u003c\/i\u003e(UK) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The US will have a new leader by 2009, as perhaps will Britain. He should read this superb book before he makes matters worse.” —\u003ci\u003eDaily Telegraph \u003c\/i\u003e(UK)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[There are] terrific—and terrifying—tales in this short, sharp book. . .\u003ci\u003eIn Afghanistan\u003c\/i\u003e targets the educated general reader, but it could educate generals.” —\u003ci\u003eNew York Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I could not have enjoyed it more and think it quite excellent. It is a great pity some of those who involved us in what is going on now did not understand what we would be up against.” —General Lord Guthrie, Head of Britain’s armed forces when the Afghan war was launched in 2001 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Gripping” —\u003ci\u003eDaily Mail \u003c\/i\u003e(UK)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Excellent” —\u003ci\u003eThe Times \u003c\/i\u003e(UK)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“This is a terrific reminder of how effective a book can be when the place it depicts is beyond the average traveller’s reach” —\u003ci\u003eIrish Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781250128423\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"St. Martin's Press","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40671110889678,"sku":"9781250128423","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_2dc00c0b-0a4f-438f-b606-acba87a87d7b.jpg?v=1639801072","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781250128423","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}