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Little America: The War Within The War For Afghanistan (2012)

by Rajiv Chandrasekaran(Favorite Author)

3.91 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0307957144 (ISBN13: 9780307957146)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Knopf

review 1: Excellent book. This book talks about the history of American involvement in the Helmand Providence, but also gives a alot of insight into the war itself and the Afghan culture. It was especially interesting to read as I sit in the Helmand Providence and wonder why we are here. It was hard to read about the failures (military and civilian failures similar to what I read about in Ricks' Fiasco on the Iraq war). It was especially hard to read the chapter about the Brits (if they had just pursued them!) the Americans (did we really need to waste lives for insignificant targets?) and getting sucked into tribal disagreements and amongst ourselves. Luckily, there were highlights in the book (combining cans of whoop ass with COIN in a successful hybrid) and the sincerity of many ... moreto try and 'get it right.' Overall, though, I am truly disappointed with what has gone on in Afghanistan, hopefully something good will come of all this in the end. Highly recommend.
review 2: Excellent, informative, engaging read. This book was especially interesting to me--since it covered some of the history of early American involvement in southern Afghanistan to which I was an eyewitness, as a kid. Fascinating stuff. The modern American involvement in southern Afghanistan is mostly a sad testament to the well-worn adage that "history repeats itself." Huge, wasteful projects (USAID ones, but military ones as well) involving inexperienced and constantly-revolving managers--with little or no "institutional memory"--which so often ran against the grain of on-the-ground realities and real needs of the Afghan people, not to mention that were often driven by bureaucratic in-fighting and bungling. Great insights for those who would get involved in any kind of development or capacity-building work. Watch out for how hubris and huge funding ultimately muck up good intentions. less

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