Circle in the Sand: Why We Went Back to Iraq by Christian Alfonsi
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Book Summary Author: Christian Alfonsi Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published) Published: 2006-10-10 ISBN: 0385515987 Number of pages: 480 Publisher: Doubleday |
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Book Reviews of the Circle in the Sand: Why We Went Back to Iraq
Customer Review: If read one book about our misadventure in Iraq, make sure it's this one.
Summary: 5 Stars
Christian Alfonsi is either brilliant, extremely lucky or both. This book is unique to other recent releases such as "Fiasco" and "Hubris" in that it is evenly divided in covering both Iraq-related conflicts. Mr. Alfonsi's timing couldn't be better considering the sudden influx of old school George H.W. Bush advisors/cabinent members brought aboard to redirect the current conflict. The first half of this book takes a well balanced look at the planning and execution of the first Gulf War. Names that have been in recent headlines such as James Baker, Robert Gates, Richard Hass and Brent Scowcroft appear prominently in the account of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
The contrast between the two adminstration's handling of the situation couldn't be clearer. While the first Bush administration used their own elements of deception to engage Saddam Hussein, it is clear that his administration was working with a very realist approach that included detailed planning and input from other nations. This is in great contrast to the "cowboy diplomacy" seen coming from George W. Bush and the neoconservative architects of the second war.
I would recommend this book to any student of American miltary escapades abroad. Mr. Alfonsi should be commended for how well his narrative shows the different approaches of two different administrations, and their outcomes.