Two semesters ago, while browsing through books in a local college bookstore, I stumbled upon a thick book with black cover: “Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001”. I reluctantly reached for it: “Damn it, 720 pages! And two weeks later, while finishing to read the last page, I could not get rid of a feeling: “Damn it! What a reading!”Indeed, don’t let a number of pages or lack of illustration or photos to fool you for this book written by Steve Coll will clue your mind to its pages.

I bought it for two reasons: firstly, I at that time I was working on a research paper that touched the Middle Eastern conflict and secondly, it was in a “student favorite” section. Eventually, I used very little information from this book for the major point of my thesis deviated from the conflict a bit. However, it was one of the most interesting readings I had in a long time.

For a moment, a potential reader might feel that this book is all about dry facts, reports and conspiracy theories. However, the very first pages prove that such expectations are totally wrong. A skillful writer, Steve Coll blended a myriad of documents with a unique narrative style. It totally blows your mind away, making you feel like an Agent 007 on a dangerous mission.

The author invites a reader into the world of unknown wars, international intrigues and various secret services. He demonstrates unprecedented access to records of White House meetings and to formerly classified material. He gives some new and interesting details about big government shots such as George Tenet, William Casey, and anti-terrorism czar, Richard Clarke. His research encompasses presidencies of Carter, Regan, George W. Bush and Clinton. And most importantly, he masterfully blends facts and statistics with unique narrative walkthrough style that indeed makes you feel as an active participant in a complex web of secrets and dangerous mission…all in comfort of your living room.

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