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Synopsis
A high-ranking general&;s gripping insider account of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how it all went wrong.
Over a thirty-five-year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both theaters of the U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He participated in meetings with top-level military and civilian players, where strategy was made and managed. At the same time, he regularly carried a rifle alongside rank-and-file soldiers in combat actions, unusual for a general. Now, as a witness to all levels of military command, Bolger offers a unique assessment of these wars, from 9/11 to the final withdrawal from the region. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, Bolger makes the firm case that in Iraq and in Afghanistan, we lost &; but we didn&;t have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And, at the root of our failure, we never really understood our enemy. Why We Lost is a timely, forceful, and compulsively readable account of these wars from a fresh and authoritative perspective.
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From the Back Cover
I am a United States Army general, and I lost the Global War on Terrorism. It’s like Alcoholics Anonymous; step one is admitting you have a problem. Well, I have a problem. So do my peers. And thanks to our problem, now all of America has a problem, to wit: two lost campaigns and a war gone awry.
I was never the overall commander in either Afghanistan or Iraq. You’d find me lower down on the food chain, but high enough. I was present when key decisions were made, delayed, or avoided. I made, delayed, or avoided a few myself.
Our primary failing in the war involved generalship. If you prefer the war-college lexicon, we — guys like me — demonstrated poor strategic and operational leadership. For soldiers, strategy and operational art translate to “the big picture” (your goal) and “the plan” (how you get there). We got both wrong, the latter more than the former. Some might blame the elected and appointed civilian leaders. There’s enough fault to go around, and in this telling, the suits will get their share. But I know better, and so do the rest of the generals. We have been trained and educated all our lives on how to fight and win. This was our war to lose, and we did.
— from WHY WE LOST
I was never the overall commander in either Afghanistan or Iraq. You’d find me lower down on the food chain, but high enough. I was present when key decisions were made, delayed, or avoided. I made, delayed, or avoided a few myself.
Our primary failing in the war involved generalship. If you prefer the war-college lexicon, we — guys like me — demonstrated poor strategic and operational leadership. For soldiers, strategy and operational art translate to “the big picture” (your goal) and “the plan” (how you get there). We got both wrong, the latter more than the former. Some might blame the elected and appointed civilian leaders. There’s enough fault to go around, and in this telling, the suits will get their share. But I know better, and so do the rest of the generals. We have been trained and educated all our lives on how to fight and win. This was our war to lose, and we did.
— from WHY WE LOST
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Good. Why We Lost is neither a memoir nor a window into private meetings and secret discussions. It is a 500-page history . . . filled with heartfelt stories of soldiers and Marines in firefights and close combat. It weighs in mightily to the ongoing debate over how the United States should wage war. Washington Post Over his thirty-five year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the ranks of the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Perhaps more than anyone else, he was witness to the full extent of the wars, from 9/11 to withdrawal from the region. Not only did Bolger participate in top-level planning and strategy meetings, but he also regularly carried a rifle alongside soldiers in combat actions. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, he argues that while we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, we did not have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And we never really understood our enemy. Why We Lost is a timely, forceful, and compulsively readable account of these wars from a fresh and authoritative perspective. Compelling. Wall Street Journal Bolger is a superb writer, and the book s most riveting passages are those describing what it s like to be an infantryman at the sharp end of battle. Cleveland Plain Dealer DANIEL BOLGER completed thirty-five years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2013, having held command posts in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military awards include five Bronze Star medals (one for valor) and the Combat Action Badge. Seller Inventory # 00093556411
Stock Image
Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Why We Lost is neither a memoir nor a window into private meetings and secret discussions. It is a 500-page history . . . filled with heartfelt stories of soldiers and Marines in firefights and close combat. It weighs in mightily to the ongoing debate over how the United States should wage war. Washington Post Over his thirty-five year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the ranks of the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Perhaps more than anyone else, he was witness to the full extent of the wars, from 9/11 to withdrawal from the region. Not only did Bolger participate in top-level planning and strategy meetings, but he also regularly carried a rifle alongside soldiers in combat actions. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, he argues that while we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, we did not have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And we never really understood our enemy. Why We Lost is a timely, forceful, and compulsively readable account of these wars from a fresh and authoritative perspective. Compelling. Wall Street Journal Bolger is a superb writer, and the book s most riveting passages are those describing what it s like to be an infantryman at the sharp end of battle. Cleveland Plain Dealer DANIEL BOLGER completed thirty-five years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2013, having held command posts in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military awards include five Bronze Star medals (one for valor) and the Combat Action Badge. Seller Inventory # 00094053178
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
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Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Fast Free Shipping â" Very Good condition book with a firm cover and clean pages. Shows normal use and some light wear or limited notes markings. A solid, nice copy to enjoy. Seller Inventory # GWV.0544370481.VG
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
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Why We Lost : A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
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Why We Lost : A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # GRP102370806
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Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
Seller: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Good. Why We Lost is neither a memoir nor a window into private meetings and secret discussions. It is a 500-page history . . . filled with heartfelt stories of soldiers and Marines in firefights and close combat. It weighs in mightily to the ongoing debate over how the United States should wage war. Washington Post Over his thirty-five year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the ranks of the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Perhaps more than anyone else, he was witness to the full extent of the wars, from 9/11 to withdrawal from the region. Not only did Bolger participate in top-level planning and strategy meetings, but he also regularly carried a rifle alongside soldiers in combat actions. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, he argues that while we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, we did not have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And we never really understood our enemy. Why We Lost is a timely, forceful, and compulsively readable account of these wars from a fresh and authoritative perspective. Compelling. Wall Street Journal Bolger is a superb writer, and the book s most riveting passages are those describing what it s like to be an infantryman at the sharp end of battle. Cleveland Plain Dealer DANIEL BOLGER completed thirty-five years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2013, having held command posts in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military awards include five Bronze Star medals (one for valor) and the Combat Action Badge. Seller Inventory # CIN0544370481G
Stock Image
Why We Lost: A General's Inside Account of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014
ISBN 10: 0544370481
ISBN 13: 9780544370487
Used
Hardcover
Seller: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. Why We Lost is neither a memoir nor a window into private meetings and secret discussions. It is a 500-page history . . . filled with heartfelt stories of soldiers and Marines in firefights and close combat. It weighs in mightily to the ongoing debate over how the United States should wage war. Washington Post Over his thirty-five year career, Daniel Bolger rose through the ranks of the army infantry to become a three-star general, commanding in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Perhaps more than anyone else, he was witness to the full extent of the wars, from 9/11 to withdrawal from the region. Not only did Bolger participate in top-level planning and strategy meetings, but he also regularly carried a rifle alongside soldiers in combat actions. Writing with hard-won experience and unflinching honesty, he argues that while we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, we did not have to. Intelligence was garbled. Key decision makers were blinded by spreadsheets or theories. And we never really understood our enemy. Why We Lost is a timely, forceful, and compulsively readable account of these wars from a fresh and authoritative perspective. Compelling. Wall Street Journal Bolger is a superb writer, and the book s most riveting passages are those describing what it s like to be an infantryman at the sharp end of battle. Cleveland Plain Dealer DANIEL BOLGER completed thirty-five years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a lieutenant general in 2013, having held command posts in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military awards include five Bronze Star medals (one for valor) and the Combat Action Badge. Seller Inventory # CIN0544370481VG