Charlie Wilson's War

**Roguish Lawyer** · 10-06-2004, 20:32

By a 60 Minutes producer named George Criles. I'm only about 1/4-way through, but it is very well written and interesting.

The gist of the book seems to be that the CIA really deserves a lot of credit for the Soviet failure in Afghanistan, and that two extremely colorful figures deserve the credit for what the CIA did -- Congressman Charles Wilson and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos. Wilson was a hard-partying womanizer from Texas who used his power on key House Appropriations subcommittees to increase US support for the mujaheddin. He also did a lot of other stuff one typically associates with the Executive Branch, like brokering arms deals between Israel and Pakistan. Avrakotos was a "rogue" CIA operations guy who helped Wilson. Very colorful guy who hated the Ivy League "cake eaters" at CIA and did not try to hide it.

I am looking forward to reading the rest and was going to wait to finish to post a review, but I know we have some folks who know a lot about Afghanistan here. Jimbo, I see from an old SOCNET post that you read it and liked it. I hope you'll say more here about the book. AL, have you read it? Anyone else?

**Team Sergeant** · 10-06-2004, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

The gist of the book seems to be that the CIA really deserves a lot of credit for the Soviet failure in Afghanistan, Anyone else?

Good for them...

I guess someone should take the credit...

TS
Quiet Professional

Huey14 · 10-06-2004, 21:15

I'm reading a book on the exact same thing, "My Enemies Enemy."

Bloody good book, though I can't say I approve of some the things Wilson did as...recreational activites.

None · 10-06-2004, 21:34

Like most everything, it's good to have a number of points of view. Charlie Wilson's war was definitely a great read. Out of all I've read on Afhganistan...I'd say the following build a pretty good picture once you've read them all and cross checked facts (Charlie Wilson's War, Soldiers of God, The Hidden War, and Holy War INC are well written and by far the easiest to read/enjoy):

American point of view:
-----------------------------

Charlie Wilson's War
Ghost Wars

Reporter's travels/POV (both American and Soviet):
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Soldiers of God
The Hidden War

Mujahideen POV:
----------------------

Afghan Guerrilla Warfare

Pakistan's ISI POV (at least the one brigadier):
-----------------------------------------------------------

Afghanistan The Bear Trap

Afghan related (Al Qaeda/Taliban centric):
-----------------------------------------------------

Holy War, Inc.
Taliban
9/11 Commission Report
Masterminds of Terror

**Roguish Lawyer** · 10-06-2004, 21:41

None:

Thanks for the reply. I'd like it if you would put some more information in your profile. We like to know with whom we are conversing.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 10-06-2004, 22:38

From the book site:

Quote:

Charlie Wilson's War, the New York Times bestseller, has been purchased by Tom Hanks to make into a movie. Hanks intends to play the Texas Congressman himself.

For more information, go to:
http://movies.go.com/movies/C/charli...004/index.html

**Pete** · 04-12-2005, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

The gist of the book seems to be that the CIA really deserves a lot of credit for the Soviet failure in Afghanistan, and that two extremely colorful figures deserve the credit for what the CIA did -- Congressman Charles Wilson and CIA operative Gust Avrakotos..... Anyone else?

The joke in the early 80s was Q. "How do you spot an American in Afganistan?" A. "By the boots."

The Americans were real good at blending in but had a soft spot for good boots. Military boots being a dead give-away the favorites were Sears, etc hunting boots. As long as you saw um' from the knees up it was hard to tell. See the feet and you knew.

Now days no matter how long you grow your hair; your buff build, sun glasses and dew rag gives it all away

.

Pete
Duckin' and runnin' for the bunker.

Max_Tab · 12-11-2005, 00:12

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...2141242&itm=31
Has anyone read this book? I was in Barnes&Nobles the other day, and I saw this book, and it looked kinda interesting but I have a couple other books to read so I didn't buy it.

Huey14 · 12-11-2005, 01:21

I've got it, albeit under a differant title. It's...interesting.

SnafuRacer · 12-11-2005, 01:45

Socnet discussion if it helps. It's on my list once I get done with Friedman's books.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 12-11-2005, 10:47

There's also the search button . . .

Max_Tab · 12-12-2005, 08:43

My bad, I thought I did do a search for it, but I did post it after a long night on Staff Duty, doing pushup's now.

**Roguish Lawyer** · 12-12-2005, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max_Tab

My bad, I thought I did do a search for it, but I did post it after a long night on Staff Duty, doing pushup's now.

LOL

Max_Tab · 11-02-2007, 09:36

http://www.charliewilsonswar.net/

Trailer looks pretty good, hope it does better than all those anti-war movies hollywood has produced lately