In the last decade, two events have transformed the world: the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of militant Islam. This is the first book to explain the link between these two occurrences. George Crile spent nearly a decade researching and writing this original account of the biggest, most expensive secret war in history: the arming of the Afghan resistance to Soviet occupation. Moving from the secret chambers in CIA headquarters to stand-offs in the Khyber Pass, Charlie Wilson's "War" is one of the most thorough and vivid descriptions of CIA operations ever written. It is the missing chapter in the geopolitics of our time.

About the Author

George Crile was an award-winning journalist and a producer for the American news programme 60 Minutes. He died in 2006.

Reviews

"'The piece of investigative journalism that most impressed me this year.' Mark Mazower, New Statesman Books of the Year 'A gripping read' Economist 'Riveting, beautifully researched and profoundly disturbing... An astonishing glimpse into the world of the CIA.' Jason Burke, Observer"