Charlie Wilson's War
The Extraordinary Story of How the Wildest Man in Congress and a Rogue CIA Agent Changed the History of Our Times
New York : Grove Press, [2003]
Format: Book
Description: x, 550 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 23 cm
Describes how, after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, maverick Texas congressman Charlie Wilson persuaded his colleagues to fund the CIA's efforts to arm the mujahideen and recounts the repercussions of that covert operation.
Contents:
A strange award at Langley -- A hot tub in Las Vegas -- Defender of Trinity -- A rogue elephant in the agency woods -- A Texas bombshell -- The secret life of Charlie Wilson -- The curse of Aliquippa -- How the Israelis broke the congressman's heart and he fell for the Muj -- The station chief -- Cocaine Charlie -- The congressman takes his belly dancer to the Jihad -- The rebirth of Gust Avrakotos -- The United States v. Charles Wilson -- The seduction of Doc Long -- Gust's secret -- The opening salvo -- Howard of Afghanistan -- Cogan's last stand -- The birth of a conspiracy -- The recruitment -- No wasps need apply -- Man of destiny -- Mohammad's arms bazaar -- The senator and his even crazier right-wing friends -- Techno holy warriors -- "The noblest smuggling operation in history" -- Dr. Doom declares Charlie dead -- Charlie's irregulars -- The silver bullet -- The other silver bullet -- The brown bomber -- "It's my war, goddamn it" -- A jihad to remember -- The price of glory -- "Here's to you, you motherfucker" -- Unintended consequences.
Subjects:
Wilson, Charles, 1933-2010.
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Military assistance, American -- Afghanistan.
Afghanistan -- History -- Soviet occupation, 1979-1989 -- Secret service -- United States.
Wilson, Charles, 1933-2010.
United States. Central Intelligence Agency.
Military assistance, American -- Afghanistan.
Afghanistan -- History -- Soviet occupation, 1979-1989 -- Secret service -- United States.
ISBN:
9780802143419
Availability | |||
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Call Number | Location | Shelf Location | Status |
HISTORY War Afghanistan Cri | Cooper (Forest Acres) | Nonfiction | In |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 525-531) and index.