Ghost Wars

The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 (Pulitzer Prize Winner)

By Steve Coll | Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group

About the book

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction • A New York Times bestseller

“The CIA itself would be hard put to beat his grasp of global events . . . Deeply satisfying.” —The New York Review of Books

From the award-winning and bestselling author of Directorate S and The Achilles Trap comes the explosive first-hand account of America's secret history in Afghanistan.

To what extent did America’s best intelligence analysts grasp the rising thread of Islamist radicalism? Who tried to stop bin Laden and why did they fail? Comprehensively and for the first time, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll recounts the history of the covert wars in Afghanistan that fueled Islamic militancy and sowed the seeds of the September 11 attacks. Based on scrupulous research and firsthand accounts by key government, intelligence, and military personnel both foreign and American, Ghost Wars details the secret history of the CIA’s role in Afghanistan (including its covert operations against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989), the rise of the Taliban, the emergence of bin Laden, and the failed efforts by U.S. forces to find and assassinate bin Laden in Afghanistan.

Editions of Ghost Wars

Hardcover
ISBN 9781594200076
Paperback
ISBN 9780143034667
EBook
ISBN 9781101221433
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9781101548981
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780593861585

Read an Excerpt

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction • A New York Times bestseller

“The CIA itself would be hard put to beat his grasp of global events . . . Deeply satisfying.” —The New York Review of Books

From the award-winning and bestselling author of Directorate S and The Achilles Trap comes the explosive first-hand account of America's secret history in Afghanistan.

To what extent did America’s best intelligence analysts grasp the rising thread of Islamist radicalism? Who tried to stop bin Laden and why did they fail? Comprehensively and for the first time, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll recounts the history of the covert wars in Afghanistan that fueled Islamic militancy and sowed the seeds of the September 11 attacks. Based on scrupulous research and firsthand accounts by key government, intelligence, and military personnel both foreign and American, Ghost Wars details the secret history of the CIA’s role in Afghanistan (including its covert operations against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989), the rise of the Taliban, the emergence of bin Laden, and the failed efforts by U.S. forces to find and assassinate bin Laden in Afghanistan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ghost Wars about?

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction • A New York Times bestseller

“The CIA itself would be hard put to beat his grasp of global events . . . Deeply satisfying.” —The New York Review of Books

From the award-winning and bestselling author of Directorate S and The Achilles Trap comes the explosive first-hand account of America's secret history in Afghanistan.

To what extent did America’s best intelligence analysts grasp the rising thread of Islamist radicalism? Who tried to stop bin Laden and why did they fail? Comprehensively and for the first time, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Steve Coll recounts the history of the covert wars in Afghanistan that fueled Islamic militancy and sowed the seeds of the September 11 attacks. Based on scrupulous research and firsthand accounts by key government, intelligence, and military personnel both foreign and American, Ghost Wars details the secret history of the CIA’s role in Afghanistan (including its covert operations against Soviet troops from 1979 to 1989), the rise of the Taliban, the emergence of bin Laden, and the failed efforts by U.S. forces to find and assassinate bin Laden in Afghanistan.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Ghost Wars?

Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Political activism / Political engagement > Terrorism, armed struggle

Where can I read a sample of Ghost Wars?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781594200076

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Ghost Wars?

Steve Coll

Who is the Publisher of the book Ghost Wars?

Penguin Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Ghost Wars is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781594200076) and paperback(ISBN 9780143034667) and ebook(ISBN 9781101221433) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781101548981) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593861585)

Where can I buy Ghost Wars online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Ghost Wars?