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53 pages 1 hour read

Craig Whitlock

The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2021

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War by Craig Whitlock details the US’s protracted involvement in Afghanistan, focusing on the systemic mistakes and misleading public statements that perpetuated the conflict. Based on the SIGAR "Lessons Learned" project, the book reveals high-level officials' candid interviews and documents, offering a comprehensive account of the war's missteps, comparable to the Vietnam War's "Pentagon Papers."

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Craig Whitlock’s The Afghanistan Papers is praised for its meticulous investigation, revealing deep-seated governmental deception and strategic failures over two decades. However, some critics argue it lacks comprehensive solutions and depth in narrative style. Overall, it is a significant work for understanding the complexities of the Afghanistan conflict.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Afghanistan Papers?

Readers who appreciate The Afghanistan Papers by Craig Whitlock are typically interested in investigative journalism, military history, and U.S. foreign policy. Comparable to readers of Bob Woodward’s Fear or Michael Hastings’ The Operators, they seek in-depth, critical analyses of government actions and wartime decisions.

Book Details
Pages

384

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Period
Setting

Afghanistan • 2000s-2010s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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