The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008

from mahallett

i never intended to listen to this when i saw what it was about but i took it on a holiday as a spare. and since i never intended to spend so much time in the car(12 hours!) i ended up listening to it. so i was very prejudiced. but tada it was ok. i learned a lot.

from rrees

This is an excellent look at the US Army's reinvention of its counter-insurgency strategy and tactics after being on the brink of defeat in Iraq. It is a journalistic recent history which means that the main historical narrative is peppered with interviews and biographical or geographic sketches....

from bruchu

Evaluating the Surge One can view "The Gamble" as the necessary sequel to "Fiasco" which was Thomas Ricks first book about the American military adventure in Iraq beginning in 2003. To truly appreciate "The Gamble" I do think readers should read "Fiasco" first, so as to fully absorb the missteps ...

from mahallett

i never intended to listen to this when i saw what it was about but i took it on a holiday as a spare. and since i never intended to spend so much time in the car(12 hours!) i ended up listening to it. so i was very prejudiced. but tada it was ok. i learned a lot.

from DeaconBernie

Interesting to read a book that was timely when written but it is three years later. Some of what Ricks thought would happen actually has happened but he partially missed on the new President. His evaluation of Mr Bush is typical and without substance -- not surprising. Ricks clearly has great ad...