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Charlie Wilson's War

The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

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Charlie Wilson's War

By: George Crile
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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About this listen

Charlie Wilson’s War is the untold story of the last battle of the Cold War and how it fueled the rise of militant Islam. Charlie Wilson, a maverick congressman from east Texas, conspired with a rogue CIA operative to launch the biggest, meanest, and most successful covert operation in the Agency’s history.

In the early 1980s, after a Houston socialite turned Wilson’s attention to the ragged Afghan freedom fighters who continued to fight the Soviet invaders despite overwhelming odds, the congressman became passionate about their cause and procured hundreds of millions of dollars to support the mujahideen. The arms were secretly procured and distributed with the help of an out-of-favor CIA operative, Gust Avrokotos, whose working-class Greek-American background made him an anomaly among the Ivy League world of American spies. Avrakotos handpicked a staff of CIA outcasts to run his operation and, with their help, continually stretched the Agency’s rules to the breaking point.

Moving from the back rooms of the Capitol, to secret chambers at Langley, to arms-dealers conventions, to the Khyber Pass, Charlie Wilson’s War is a detailed and brilliantly reported account of the inside workings of the CIA.

©2003 George Crile (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks Asia Freedom & Security Military Political Science Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Social Sciences World Espionage Middle East War Cold War Black Ops Iran Russia Imperialism Africa

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Editor reviews

Why we think it's Essential: With shades of both Tom Clancy and Dr. Strangelove, Charlie Wilson's War is the incredible true story of a gregarious Texas Congressman, a shadowy CIA operative, and their campaign to fund the Afghan jihad against the Soviet Union. Christopher Lane's smooth narration compliments George Crile's well-researched chronicle...right through to a riveting coda that reminds us of the operation's very real ramifications. — Ed Walloga

Critic reviews

2004 Audie Award Winner, Unabridged Nonfiction
"Crile, a 60 Minutes producer, offers an absorbing, thoroughly detailed look at the largest and most successful CIA operation in U.S. history: the arming of the Mujahideen in Afghanistan." ( Booklist)
"An engaging, well-written, newsworthy study of practical politics and its sometimes unlikely players." ( Kirkus Reviews)
“Narrator Christopher Lane affects an even tone and pace, allowing the events of the story to carry the listener to the extraordinary highs and sickening lows of the flawed but heroic Wilson. Thankfully, Lane takes it easy on the accents and shines brightest when allowing a tinge of cynicism in his delivery." ( AudioFile)
“Put the Tom Clancy clones back on the shelf; this covert-ops chronicle is practically impossible to put down.” ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant  
At close to twenty hours, this is a big commitment in listening terms - but to the author and narrator's credit, I never once lost the plot. A mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar, lots of detail and a strict chronology in keeping with the documentary film-maker that George Crile was - before his death in 2006.
There are several departures from the documentary style which sometime left me puzzling as to how the author might have known what precisely was in the mind of any of the extensive cast of characters at any given moment. The polite response is that the book is rooted in Tom Wolfe's New Journalism.
If you are looking for a 'compare and contrast'/ next book to read after this thriller - try Noam Chomsky, not as much fun but certainly an interesting extension.

Tones of Wolfe - highly recommended

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This is an incredible story ... they say truth is stranger than fiction! Narrated faultlessly by Christopher Lane, I was amazed at the chain of events Charlie Wilson initiated and could not help but be impressed by this rogue's relentless zeal in fulfilling his passionate quest. Apart from a slight flattening of pace towards the end, the book was gripping. I now have a true understanding of the American 'funding' process in Congress and the Senate, the reasons for America's escalating involvement in the war against the Russians in Afghanistan, and how this inadvertently shaped today's world of escalating terrorism.

Charlie Wilson's War

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Fascinating insight into human behaviour, group chemistry, operational logistics and the downstream consequences of myopic and single-minded vision

A fascinating piece of history, beautifully written and perfectly narrated

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very detailed and enjoyable. such a good insight to a programme that most people, including myself, know nothing about. highly recommend

great read

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Absolutely loved this book. Astounding and a good insight into why it lead us to where we are now!

Charlie & Gust

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This is a very entertainingly written book about an obscure corner of modern history, namely how the CIA came to back the Afghan mujahadeen in their fight against the Russian Invasion of 1979 (?). It probably would not pass muster as serious history, but it is surprisingly absorbing and thought provoking - particularly with regard to the consequences vis a vis 9/11 and the War on Terror etc. It also shines a light on the working of government in the USA, which I for one found very interesting. Narration and sound quality are excellent.

If you like modern history and are looking for something off the beaten track, you could do a lot worse than try this book.

An interesting book, very well narrated

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AFter watching the film I bought this book.

To this day this stuff is dismissed as conspiracy theory.

IT barely registers in the collective consciousness.

The war that Russia never fought against afghanistan freedom fighters that never got weapons from the CIA or Saudi Arabia to the tune of hundreds of millions. THis book is the definition of blowback. Did the le school have it right to only give half heartedly. The doctrine of no defeats no victories? I envy Charlie wilsons breathtaking black and white absolute perspective. It reminds me of le carre. The strongest believers have an element of distance from the real consequences of their actions.

Amazing insight into modern history

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I learnt so much from this book. It should be compulsory reading for every American and British citizen!!

Amazing and Horrific!

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This book would be thoroughly entertaining, if it wasn't for the fact that it's a true and horrible story. The characters are painted vividly and I feel as though I met each of them. They are treated quite sympathetically, even when the actions are reprehensible. Christopher Lane did a good job of holding my attention, for a 20 hour long historical with a lot of detail the pace is superb. The story continues to unfold and I'm sure that Charlie Wilson's War will haunt me for years to come.

Superb, Enthralling, Chilling

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Nah, I don't have any friends.

What other book might you compare Charlie Wilson's War to, and why?

Any other biography, but it still holds out.

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

All of it. Not annoying at all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Savior the precious ones, it'll make the good times last longer.

Any additional comments?

At least watch the movie.

Almost too good

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