Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden

Well after reading this book, iam think did Steve Coll write the 9/11 Commision Report. As the 9/11 Report blames nobody in the CIA, FBI, NSA for 9/11. Coll fails even to mention the Bin Ladens being flown out of the USA on 9/12/01, when nobody was flying. The book fails to menion the the guy who knew the most about Osama, AL"CIADA" John Oneil . Oneil was the lead FBI investigator of the Cole bombing, resigned from the FBI becuase the Bush administration told him to "back off the Bin Laddens". John Oneil took over secuirty in the Twin Towers on 9/11 , he never made it out . Also mising was this,The first instance is the electronic memo of July 10, 2001 from Kenneth Williams, an FBI agent in Phoenix, Arizona, noting the number of students with ties to radical Islamic fundamentalists enrolled at local aviation training schools, and suggesting that a nationwide canvass of these schools be carried out to determine if there was a pattern. The guy who sat on this memo David Fracsa , was promoted. Now there is some good information in the book, but its been editited t by Bush White House. . The Books says the CIA NEVER HAD ANY CONTACT WITH BIN LADDEN EVER. I wont be buying his new book The Bin Laddens. The paper back was published after the 9/11 commision report was put out.

Incredible (1/1 people found this helpful)

This has become my favourite book of all time. Each page is packed with information, the whole book is extensively referenced too. It also puts to bed many misconceptions and myths (a common one is that the CIA funded bin Laden, which is not true).
Coll also describes the feelings of those who worked in the CIA and State Dept. and he shows their many conflicts and competing ideologies. The split feelings and decisions within the U.S. policy makers with respect to Massoud, bin Laden and the Taliban are very well told.
Recommended.

You could not want for a better history (1/1 people found this helpful)

This is by far the clearest and most complete account I have yet read about the roots of al-Qaeda. The style of writing is exemplary: this is a big book on a tricky subject and could have turned out very dull and difficult indeed in the hands of a poorer writer, but Steve Coll deserves all the prizes and acolades that he has received for his work.

The book clearly traces the foundations of radical islam from the years before the Soviet invasion of Afgaistan, through the rise of the Taliban and up to the eve of 11th September 2001.

A must-read for anyone struggling to understand where why the world has got to today.

Brilliant (0/1 people found this helpful)

A brilliantly written book which goes into a great deal of detail. I found it interesting that the writing style almost perfectly matched that of Daniel Yergin's, who was also a recepient of a pulitzer prize

Brilliant (0/2 people found this helpful)

I read this book whilst travelling last year and found it absolutely gripping. It gives a great insight into Afghanistan and the rise of Bin Laden within the taliban. You get to see how close the CIA were to stopping this guy and the reasons why they didn't. the amount of near misses are heartbreaking as you of course know what the end outcome is.

Recommended to casual readers and also to those wanting a further understanding of the region and its history.

Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden

Steve Coll

Reader Reviews:

Whats Missing (0/0 people found this helpful)

Incredible (1/1 people found this helpful)

You could not want for a better history (1/1 people found this helpful)

Brilliant (0/1 people found this helpful)

Brilliant (0/2 people found this helpful)

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